Your RV “house” batteries (the ones powering the 12 volt systems throughout your rig) are the heart of your home-on-wheels. Depending on their type, size, and age, your house batteries will have a finite lifespan. So, let’s explore how to extend RV battery life to avoid being powerless and having to buy new batteries any sooner than necessary.
Join me in a guide to RV battery types, care and maintenance, and the warning signs of dying batteries.
Your RV Batteries Are The Heart of Your Rig
I’ve always said, while subjected to Jeanne’s eye-rolling because, yes, I always say it: “If you take good care of your RV, your RV will take good care of you!” You rely on your batteries whenever you are using or living in your RV. As full-time RV travelers, Jeanne and I depend on our batteries 24/7/365.
With proper care and usage, your RV batteries will perform at their best and last several years.
What Type of House Batteries Do You Have?
Source: Erik AndersonThere are several types of batteries typically used in RVs. Each battery type performs differently and they all require proper care and maintenance.
Each of these general RV battery types has it’s pros and cons:
- 12v Deep Cycle Flooded Lead Acid (FLA or “Wet Cell): These are a common battery type supplied in a majority of RVs coming out of the factory. This is primarily due to cost as FLA batteries are the least expensive choice.
- Pros: Least cost; Easily obtainable
- Cons: Heavy; Must remain in a vertical position; Contain caustic acid; Require regular checking/filling of battery cell water; Can vent harmful gasses known as “battery gassing”, so must be in an outside, ventilated space; Very deep discharges (> 50%) can cause irreparable harm. Typically they last around 400-500+ discharge/charge cycles.
- 6v Flooded Wet Cell “Golf Cart” Batteries (also available as lithium):
- Pros: Durable, vibration-resistant, and longer-lasting, 500-1,000+ cycles; Usually higher capacity; Less costly than AGM or lithium batteries.
- Cons: Required in pairs and wired in “series” to have 12v output; When one malfunctions, the other can’t be used for the RV’s 12v system; Require regular cell water checking/filling.
- 12v Deep Cycle AGM Batteries (Absorbent Glass Mat; also available in “gel” type):
- Pros: Sealed/Maintenance-free; No battery gassing or leaking; Longer lasting, about 500-1,000 cycles;
- Cons: More expensive than FLA batteries; Heavy; Very deep discharges can cause damage affecting charging and performance.
- 12v Lithium Ion Battery (LiFePO4):
- Pros: Lightweight, roughly 65% less heavy than flooded lead acid; Maintenance free/sealed; Can be mounted in any position; Safe for enclosed spaces; Longest lasting: 3,000+ cycles and 10+ years; Deeper discharges – ability to use nearly all of rated capacity making them a good option for boondocking.
- Cons: Most expensive; Some cold-weather limitations for safe charging.
RV Battery Care and Maintenance
Regular care will help extend RV battery life and they will perform better. Make sure to charge them regularly and fully according to your battery type’s optimal charging requirements. For example, flooded lead acid batteries charge differently than lithium batteries, which usually require a specific lithium-optimized setting on the converter/charger, plus higher voltage.
Avoid overcharging RV batteries as that can also adversely affect their lifespan. Carefully review the manufacturer’s specific recommendations on proper charging for your battery type.
Check your battery terminals and clean them periodically. A battery terminal protection spray can prevent unwanted corrosion which can negatively affect performance.
Source: ShutterstockInspect the battery housings for any signs of corrosion or damage, such as cracking or bulging of the casing. You’ll also want to ensure that they are not too warm, or even hot, to the touch. Any of these issues could indicate internal damage.
FLA/Wet Cell Batteries Get Thirsty For Water!
If you have flooded lead acid (wet cell) house batteries, you should check their cell water levels monthly to make sure they have enough water. Refill each cell as needed up to the “fill indicators” using only distilled water. Allowing battery water levels to remain too low can cause serious damage, such as sulfation, acid corrosion, overheating, lead plate warping, and decreased capacity. These issues can be permanent and shorten the life of your batteries.
Source: Flow-Rite ControlsBattery Cell-Water Checks Don’t Have To Be Difficult
A fantastic product for easily checking and filling wet cell batteries, especially if your batteries are in a hard-to-reach space, is the Qwik-Fill system by Flow-Rite. You permanently install the Qwik-Fill caps in place of the batteries’ original cell caps. A tube with a bulb-type hand pump is attached which draws distilled water from a bottle and automatically fills the battery cells to their proper levels. With this system, you can check and fill multiple batteries all at once, making monthly battery checks easy!
(Safety Note: Always wear gloves and safety glasses when working around flooded lead acid batteries.)
Long-Term RV Battery Storage Done Right
If you are not using your RV for extended periods of time, such as during winter RV-hibernation, it is important to follow a few recommendations for healthy battery storage:
- Disconnect the batteries from the RV, unless you keep your rig plugged in and the onboard converter/charger is maintaining a state of charge.
- Try to avoid having your batteries subjected to vast temperature extremes.
- Note that there are some caveats to charging lithium (LiFePo4) batteries during cold weather. Be sure to follow your battery manufacturer’s precautions.
- If removing the house batteries from your RV, store them in a safe, dry place. Again, avoid temperature extremes.
- For batteries removed and stored, either keep them connected to a trickle-charge battery maintainer or give them a good charge once a month.
- When returning your RV house batteries to service, inspect them carefully. Look for any corrosion or damage. And check those water levels in FLA/wet cell types! Apply anti-corrosion spray to the terminals when reconnecting them to help extend RV battery life.
Source: ShutterstockGood Daily Maintenance Habits to Extend RV Battery Life
Along with regular care and proper maintenance, the following daily practices will have your RV house batteries lasting longer. These tips can help them provide the power you need both in the short-term and over their life span.
👉 Avoid discharging your batteries too deeply. Remember, flooded lead acid/wet-cell and AGM-type batteries should not be discharged below 50% of their rated amp-hour capacity. Doing so can cause irreparable damage, leading to a weakening of the internal plates and diminished capacity. Ultimately, repeated deep discharges below 50% can decrease battery life and even cause them to fail.
👉 Watch for parasitic loads pulling 12v electricity draws. These little power mongers can be insidious in an RV. They can be as simple as switch indicator lights that are always on, mobile device chargers, radio and appliance lights, or appliances left plugged in when not in use. In and of themselves, they may seem miniscule, but add them all up throughout your rig, and they can and do drain house batteries over time.
👉 Turn off inside and outside 12v lights when not in use. This goes for other RV systems as well, such as fans, your water heater and fresh water pump. Sure, they can be left on, but if you are concerned about battery life, particularly when off-grid boondocking, have them on only when needed.
👉 Consider using rechargeable LED lights and solar device chargers when dry-camping, boondocking or during extended off-grid stays. We love our Goal Zero rechargeable “Crush Lights” when camping off-grid! They “crush” down to a thin profile for storage and easily recharge via their integrated solar cells or any USB input.
Source: Erik AndersonWarning Signs of Possible Battery Failure
Despite your best efforts to extend your RV battery life with the love they deserve, eventually they’ll need replacing. Though it varies greatly, most standard RV batteries should last about 5-6 years under normal use with proper care.
Here are some tell-tale signs that you may need to start battery shopping:
⚡️ Your battery bank no longer charges completely or holds a charge well. The capacity has become reduced and they run down quickly. Strange, inconsistent battery level readings could also be a sign of a weakening battery.
⚡️ The batteries are taking significantly longer to charge. This could indicate permanent damage to the plates that affects their ability to accept charging.
⚡️Damage to the battery casing, such as cracks or bulges. Also if the battery is leaking or the casing is hot to the touch.
⚡️ Odd smells similar to ammonia and/or sulfur coming from your battery compartment. It could be acid or gasses leaking from the batteries and should be investigated immediately.
Source: ShutterstockTake Care of Your RV Batteries…And They’ll Take Care of You
Paying attention to the proper care and maintenance of your house batteries will extend RV battery life. Create a routine of regularly inspecting your RV batteries, as well as charging, using, and storing them properly. It will be worth your efforts. The heart of your RV that powers your great adventures will serve you well with regular TLC!
Image Sources
- LiFePO4 lithium RV batteries: Erik Anderson
- Battery terminal corrosion: Shutterstock
- Flow-Rite Qwik-Fill battery watering system: Flow-Rite Controls
- Automatic battery charger: Shutterstock
- Goal Zero Solar Crush Light: Erik Anderson
- Battery charge level icons: Shutterstock
- 3A3C62F0-4B80-4618-ABE5-2A233C036B89: Erik Anderson
