Did you know that a deep cycle RV battery can last for six or more years with proper care and maintenance? Read on to find out how to choose the right battery for your camper and treat it right.

When you are travelling with your camper, a reliable battery is an essential part of your gear. It enables you to enjoy the modern conveniences of a camper, such as the fridge, lights, heater, vent and other electronic accessories. There are some things that may seem complicated at first, but fear not. You too can become an RV battery maintenance connoisseur.

RV Batteries vs Car Batteries – what’s the difference?

The first thing to know is that there are several battery types. The battery used to start and run the engine is referred to as a chassis battery or a starting battery. You should not use this battery to power your appliances. The battery or batteries – as there can be more – used to supply 12-volts to the RV are called RV house batteries.

House batteries are usually lead-acid batteries and we are going to focus on them in this article. They come in 6-volt and 12-volt varieties.

There are also more modern lithium batteries. They cost three times more than standard lead-acid batteries, but last longer and require less maintenance. Somewhere in between is the Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) battery. These batteries are maintenance-free lead-acid batteries.

1. Safety

Safety always comes first. When handling batteries, always use gloves and preferably safety glasses. Battery acid is extremely corrosive. Of course, do not smoke or use any open flames around. 

2. Think about your habits

Do you travel from campground to campground or go off the grid? How much space do you have? How many appliances do you use? 12-volt batteries are smaller and heavier and 6-volt batteries are larger and lighter, but you have to have two of them to have 12 volts in total. In general, it is better to use this method if you have the space as 6-volt batteries tend to last longer.

3. Don’t let the battery discharge too much

A fully charged 12-volt battery is 12.7 volts. You should not leave your battery below 80% or 12.4 volts for longer periods of time. This is the most common mistake that leads to shorter battery life. It is better to recharge it more frequently than to let it discharge, say, to 40% each time – and 40% is actually 12 volts.

4. Don’t overcharge

Overcharging is also bad and it may be caused by a malfunctioning or inappropriate converter, so invest in a good one.

5. Invest in an RV battery monitor

In order to make your life easier, buy a battery monitor so you can easily check the state of your battery.

6. Never store the battery uncharged

Even when your RV is in your garage waiting for better days, you need to check and charge your battery every two months or so as batteries naturally discharge every day when not in use.

7. Mind the temperature

High temperature can have a negative effect on your battery, while very low temperature can cause the battery to freeze if not fully charged.

8. Check water levels frequently

You need to add water to the battery, but only after charging, that is, unless the plates are exposed already. Pay extra attention in hot weather and use distilled water.

9. Clean it regularly

Remove any corrosion that may have built up. Use a special product and toothbrush for this.

10. Double check everything before travelling

This way you can avoid problems on the road and enjoy a care-free vacation!