RV/Camper / Store it for later

RV batteries

LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate) has replaced lead-acid in most new RV builds: lighter, deeper usable capacity, and a built-in battery management system.

What matters

  • Battle Born lists its 100 Ah 12 V battery at 100 A continuous and 200 A surge for 30 seconds.
  • Cold charging: Battle Born's install guide gives a 25 F charge floor with a low-temperature cutoff, but its data sheet lists 25 F under "heated model only". Buy the heated model if you charge below freezing.
  • It charges from solar, shore power or the alternator (Battle Born).

Watch out for

  • Battery current limits cap your inverter: a 3,000 VA inverter at 12 V draws far more than one 100 A battery supplies. Plan parallel batteries.
  • Set your charger and controller to the battery maker's lithium voltages (Battle Born lists 14.2 to 14.6 V absorption).

Equipment we have researched

Not for sale through us yet. Specs are copied from the cited source on the date shown; nothing here is hands-on tested.

Victron Energy

Victron SmartShunt 500A

Battery monitor (Bluetooth)

Shunt
500 A / 50 mV
Battery
12, 24 or 48 V
Not yet available

Anker SOLIX

Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus

Portable power station

Capacity
3840 Wh
Flies?
No (over 160 Wh)
Not yet available

Keep going

Sources