

That’s why the lithium battery, coupled with a capable solar power system, is such a game-changer for those who like to boondock.īut don’t just buy any lithium ion battery. Moreover, at a 30 percent state of charge (SOC), our Expion 360 amp hour lithium battery still cranks out a whopping 12.9 volts. It also lasts longer than a standard lead-acid/AGM battery-between 2,000 and 5,000 cycles. When compared to lead-acid, our 12 volt Expion 360 amp hour LiFePO4 battery puts out as much power as seven 100 amp hour group-27 lead-acid batteries! It does this weighing half as much at only 95 pounds, while taking up only one-third of the space. Using one or more lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, you can power the aforementioned loads using an appropriately sized inverter-we use a 3,000 watt pure sine wave model in the Roadrunner. For those needing to run a high amperage load like a microwave, hair dryer, or an induction cooktop this usually means one thing-running a generator. Still, two batteries isn’t enough for some. Even though the typical group-27 battery is rated at 100 amp hours, you’ll need two to actually get that much usable capacity because only 50 percent of each battery is usable. Due to limited space, truck camper battery compartments are typically limited to no more than two group-27 lead-acid batteries. It’s also heavier than lithium, is hamstrung by Peukert’s Law (meaning as the rate of discharge increases, the battery’s available capacity decreases), and suffers from voltage sag (at 50 percent the lead-acid voltage typically drops to 11.9 volts).
#12 volt battery monitor for rv full#
It charges slowly, stores relatively little power, has a relatively short life span, and needs a full charge to prevent sulfation. Indeed, these differences are so profound that it can be a detriment to the lithium battery’s life if not corrected.Īll things considered, it’s amazing that the lead-acid battery has existed in the RV marketplace for so long.

There are some significant differences, as we’ll explain in this article. Many assume that charging a lithium battery is the same as a lead-acid battery, but this isn’t the case. Due to the limitations associated with the lead-acid battery, age-old habits have become ingrained over time. Unfortunately, when it comes to charging and maintaining a lithium ion battery, there’s a lot of misinformation out there.

Not only does the lithium battery offer a more usable battery capacity at 90 percent (compared to 50 percent for lead-acid), but it’s also 50 percent lighter, provides a higher current and voltage output, and charges faster because it can be “bulk” charged up to 97 percent. Going lithium is all the rage for those who like to boondock in their RV.
