Why Deep Cycle Batteries Are the Best Battery for an RV

Did you know that the RV market was worth a staggering $55.8 Billion in 2021? The same market is projected to be worth $88 Billion by 2028.Evidently, the biggest RV market still remains in the US, but the rest of the world is catching on. Travelling in an RV remains one of the best ways to adventure on holiday.When you're out adventuring, you don't want to lose power. Read on below to find out why a deep cycle battery is the best kind of battery for an RV.

What Causes Lead Acid Battery Failure in an RV?

Before we can get into why a deep cycle battery is the best battery to use in an RV, you need to know why a lead battery fails in the first place. There is nothing worse than travelling around and your battery dies and leaves you without power for your whole trip. Below are a couple of common causes of lead battery failure.

Frequent Undercharging

Battery failure is typically the result of constantly draining the batteries without fully recharging them in between cycles. Long-term discharge of the battery puts it at risk as well.Many different battery types cannot withstand this treatment and will eventually stop functioning correctly. Without a full recharge, the sulphate in the battery will harden and crystallise.

Frequent Overcharging

Various problems may arise when batteries are charged for too long or with too much power. Batteries lose water when they are overcharged, and a significant enough water loss can prevent a battery from operating. If the battery is overcharged, the plates may also corrode and cause your battery to be unreliable.

How to Properly Maintain Your Battery for an RV

A battery, like every other component in your RV, needs to be maintained so that you get the longest life possible out of it. An important factor to consider in battery life is how deep it will cycle between each use.A single cycle consists of a full discharge of energy from 100% to 50% and a full recharge back to 100%. The following below can be done to maintain your batteries life:

• Recharge your batteries after use to prevent malfunction
• Always use your built-in charger on the RV
• Don't overstrain the battery
• Do routine inspections and maintenance of the battery
• Use the appropriate charger for the battery type

Advantages of Deep Cycle Batteries

Battery technology has grown exponentially over the past few years. However, deep cycle batteries have been in existence for quite some time. For example, navy submarines make use of deep cycle batteries since the inception of submarine building.What sets a deep cycle battery apart from other types of batteries is the ability to continuously discharge energy and be recharged without the battery failing. In other words, it is the perfect battery to use in an RV.The following are a few advantages to deep cycle batteries:

Tough and Durable

Deep cycle batteries have a longer lifespan than other batteries, which is one of their main advantages. A deep cycle battery, for example, can last up to two or three times longer than a normal battery.In other words, because they have a very low self-discharge rate, they can maintain a charge for longer and stay charged for 6 to 8 months without being used.

Safety Aspect

In your RV, you will need a battery setup that is safe. A deep cycle battery won't leak or explode like a normal lead acid battery can. When a lead acid battery gets overcharged, a negative reaction can take place within the battery and explode.Should anyone be within the vicinity, the explosion can cause severe bodily harm. Furthermore, if you have young children and your battery is leaking, the acid can get on their skin and cause severe burns.

Outstanding Efficiency

Deep cycle batteries have the distinct benefit of charging up to five times faster than normal batteries. In contrast to lead acid batteries, which require a 50% depth of discharge to maintain the same cycle duration, deep cycle batteries need a depth of discharge of 80%.

How to Install Deep Cycle Batteries

The installation is the same for deep cycle lead-acid, gel, and AGM batteries. If you have two or more batteries, you will need to wire them in parallel or series. Simply connect the positive terminal to the positive wire from your coach and the negative terminal to the ground wire from your coach.Lithium Ion batteries are installed in the same way but your RV must be equipped with a charger designed specifically for lithium batteries.It's possible that a charger is already installed in your RV, but be sure it can operate with lithium batteries. Due to the voltage needed, the majority of ordinary chargers will only be able to charge the lithium battery to about 80% of its capacity.

Options for Solar Charge

Solar panels can be used to recharge any kind of deep cycle battery. In order to control the charge, solar systems typically place a solar charge controller between the panel and the batteries.To check how much energy is being produced by the solar panels and how much is still in your batteries, the majority of systems also come with a solar monitor.Having a solar charging system is highly beneficial and is where a deep cycle stands out from its counterparts. The ability to continuously discharge and recharge makes deep cycle batteries appealing to the adventurous RV owner.

Staying Charged

Choosing the right battery for RV vehicles or any vehicle for that matter can seem tricky, but now that you know that a deep cycle battery is a good choice for your RV, you're on the right track.Remember to shop around, look for options that are in your budget, and don't be afraid to ask questions before deciding on the one that's right for you.Did you enjoy this article?Well, why not start shopping for your deep cycle battery right now? Check out our options here.