RV Battery Maintenance: How to Make Your Batteries Last Longer?
Batteries are one of the pricy components of your RV, so you must pay greater attention to their maintenance. But the fact is that the batteries are commonly overlooked while maintaining RVs. It often leads to batteries dying before reaching their lifespan. If your RV battery dies early, you will have to invest a significant amount to replace it with a new one.
Buying new RV batteries every year is a costly task, which is not recommended. Therefore, proper RV battery maintenance is something you should never take for granted. It is more important to understand the causes of battery failure. Once you know the reasons, you can take some preventive measures to extend RV battery life.
This article not only presents the causes behind early battery failure but also lists valuable tips for better RV battery care.
What Makes Your RV Batteries Die Early? 4 Common Issues!
Below is a list of four factors that negatively impact the battery lifespan. Let's explore them one by one.
1. Sulfation
It is one of the leading issues behind batteries failing before reaching their expected life cycles. When you connect the battery to the circuit and start using it, small sulfuric acid crystals form on its plates. If the battery is charged regularly, these crystals are converted back into active material of the battery plates.
Developing sulfur crystals on the battery plates is normal, but when the charge remains low for an extended period, they create problems. The longer you keep the battery without a charge, the more crystals will form until the battery is dead. The sulfation process does not depend on the battery age. This issue greatly reduces the battery capacity.
2. Overcharging and Undercharging
A faulty battery charger can lead to overcharging. Similarly, when you leave an RV battery on charge for long hours, it may cause overcharging, too. When a battery is overcharged, it produces excessive heat and warps the internal plates of the battery. Overcharging evaporates water in wet-cell batteries, resulting in reduced battery life.
In addition, when an RV battery is overcharged continuously, corrosion is developed on its positive plates. The corroded plates make batteries weaker over time. Moreover, overcharging can also cause cracks and swelling in the battery case.
In contrast, undercharging happens when you leave the RV battery partially discharged for a couple of weeks or months. Parasitic drains and not putting your battery on charge for long hours may also result in undercharging. This problem promotes sulfation and reduces capacity. Furthermore, the life of the batteries is reduced and they are made more vulnerable to freezing temperatures.
3. Extreme Temperatures
Both extremely high and extremely low temperatures are equally harmful to RV batteries. When the batteries are stored or used in an extremely hot environment, they are overheated due to the accelerated chemical reactions. Excessive heat results in evaporation of electrolyte in lead-acid batteries.
The freezing climate slows down the chemical reactions within the batteries. It may cause permanent damage. In addition, there is a chance of freezing the electrolyte. If the electrolyte freezes and expands, it may lead to ruptured battery cells and a cracked casing. Simply put, both high and low temperatures are not good for RV battery storage.
4. Parasitic Loads
RVs consist of many electric and electronic components that may drain the battery even when you don't use or run the vehicle. Such components and devices are called parasitic loads. They discharge the battery slowly. As a result, the battery life may be reduced.
However, the parasitic loads don't damage the battery if you use the RV regularly and charge the battery as and when needed.
6 Preventive Measures You Must Consider to Extend the RV Battery Life
Now that you are familiar with the issues, let's discuss why RV batteries fail to perform their functions properly, even before reaching their expected lifespan. It is time to fix these issues effectively. All you need to do is follow a few preventive measures (as given below) to get over the line.
1. Charge Regularly
Don't leave your batteries uncharged or partially discharged for long hours. It will help you protect them from experiencing capacity loss and sulfation issues. Therefore, regular battery charging is always preferred. Try using a smart battery charger to ensure the battery is being charged at the proper voltage. They are considered the best RV battery charging tips.
The average self-discharge rate of flooded lead-acid batteries is 10-15% per month. Whereas, lithium batteries are self-discharged at a monthly rate of only 1-3%. The charge cycles of lithium iron phosphate batteries are between 2,000 and 5,000. Investing in a multi-stage charger will be worth it, as it is capable of switching between float, absorption, and bulk modes to ensure RV battery longevity.
2. Use a Battery Maintenance System
Using an RV battery maintenance system (like a solar charge controller, a battery tender, or a trickle charger) enhances the battery life greatly. This system ensures that the batteries are at an ideal voltage even if they are not used for longer periods. In addition, the maintenance system prevents batteries from undergoing overcharging or undercharging (as both are dangerous).
If you have installed lithium batteries in your RV, connect them to the Battery Management System (BMS). It will help you monitor voltage and temperature accurately. Measuring these parameters is necessary to make sure the batteries are functioning properly.
3. Store the Battery Properly
Improper storage environment is a silent killer for your RV battery. If you are not using the RV for over a week, disconnect the battery on priority. Moreover, be sure to store it in a dry and cool location, as extreme temperatures cause overheating and low temperatures result in frozen plates or electrolytes.
If you have a lead-acid battery, don't forget to check the water levels and fill it as and when needed. Moreover, recharge the battery every 1 to 2 months. Alternatively, you can keep it on a maintenance charge. If you want to eliminate the risk of parasitic drains, a disconnect switch will be worth using. Monitor the battery voltage regularly to ensure they don't have a low charge.
4. Invest in an Optimal Battery
Different RV batteries are currently available on the market. Each has unique properties and a different lifespan. It is advisable to buy a premium-quality and long-lasting power source like lithium-ion batteries. They last longer and are more efficient than AGM batteries or other traditional counterparts.
Don't you know how to choose the right battery that perfectly fulfills your RV requirements? Don't be concerned. 12V marine deep-cycle batteries are ideal for small RVs, whereas 12V deep-cycle gel or AGM batteries are perfect for medium-sized RVs, as they are maintenance-free. In contrast, 6V golf cart batteries are the best choice for larger motorhomes, as they provide high amp-hour capacity.
5. Use Your RV Regularly
When you keep the battery in use and charged, it stays healthy. Therefore, take your vehicle out at least once a month. This way, the battery will be recharged and last longer. The regular use will not allow sulfur crystals to develop.
Moreover, issues like parasitic drains and corrosion don't occur if the battery has the optimal charge on it. It is good for the RV battery longevity and health.
6. Regular Inspection
Inspecting your RV battery regularly can help you highlight and solve the potential issues before they make the battery fail. During inspection, don't forget to check the battery terminal corrosion, and look for signs of damage, leaking, swelling, or wear.
Check the battery voltage with a digital multimeter. Also, make sure the connections are secure and the cables are tightened properly. Moreover, regular RV battery cleaning should also be part of the inspection.
Explore Renogy's RV Power Solutions
Though the market is full of RV batteries, making the right decision is not as easy as it seems. Different batteries have different storage capacities and lifespans. Some may last longer, whereas others are more expensive.
Are you looking for a reliable and long-lasting battery for your RV? Try the Renogy 12.8V 200Ah LiFePO4 battery. It has a compact design and comes with a low-temperature protection feature. This battery is certified by UKCA, CE, FCC, and ROHS. Due to its light weight structure and high storage capacity, it is an ideal choice to power your RV appliances.
Apart from batteries, Renogy also offers advanced solar panels, high-quality charge controllers, premium battery chargers, highly efficient RV solar kits, and other similar equipment.
Final Thoughts
RV battery maintenance is usually taken for granted while maintaining RVs. This is something you should never overlook, as replacing an RV battery needs a significant amount. Therefore, you must pay attention to proper care to extend RV battery life and improve its health.
You can perfectly maintain your RV batteries only if you know the reasons (like parasitic loads and sulfation) behind their early failure and take preventive measures (such as regular charging and frequent inspections) in a timely manner.
