RV & Camper Battery Buying Guide

There are three main types of RV batteries: starting, deep cycle, and dual purpose. Here is how to know which one your camper needs:

Starting

Starting batteries, just like car batteries, provide a burst of power to start the engine of your RV. In some campers, they run basic accessories like lights and radio.

Shop Starting RV Batteries

Deep Cycle

These batteries feature a heavy charge and discharge cycle, making them perfect for long-lasting power. If you're running appliances like a fridge, microwave or electric stove, a deep cycle RV battery generates the reliable, durable energy you need. Commonly referred to as “house” batteries.

Shop Deep Cycle RV Batteries

Dual Purpose

Looking for something that does a little of everything? Dual purpose batteries provide the strong starting power you need to start your engine, plus the cycling capacity to run your accessories smoothly.

Shop Dual Purpose RV Batteries

Once you understand battery types, you can look into the best size and capacity for your RV.

Capacity: Capacity is how long the battery can store power and provide it under regular conditions. The more applications your RV has, the more amp-hours (Ah) your battery needs. A truck camper won’t need as much power as a class A motorhome. The average RV requires between 30 Ah and 150 Ah per day, based on class and appliances.

Chemistry: Chemistry determines how long a battery lasts and how fast it can recharge. Just as there are three different battery types, there are also three different chemistries available: flooded (wet cell) lead acid, Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM lead acid), and Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4).

Group Size: Last, size determines what battery can physically fit into your RV. A class A motorhome is going to offer more space than a pop-up or travel trailer. Battery dimensions do not always reflect capacity, as smaller batteries sometimes have a better Ah due to their chemistry. We recommend you carefully measure the space before changing to a battery from a different group size to ensure there’s room for ventilation. And don’t forget hold-down brackets and straps to keep the battery securely in place.

RV Voltage Details:

• 12 volt systems only require 1 battery
• 24 volt systems require 2 batteries connected in series
• 36 volt systems require 3 batteries connected in series
• 48 volt systems require 4 batteries connected in series

All Seasons:

Clean corrosion from battery terminals using a simple mix of baking soda and water.

In-Season:

When camping or roadtripping, plug into shore power when it’s available. That will reduce draw on the battery when you use your RV accessories. And avoid deep discharging more than 50% of your battery’s full capacity, especially if off-grid boondocking.

Off-Season:

Remove and properly store your RV battery to prevent self-discharge in the off-season. Parasitic draw occurs when electronics are left plugged in or turned on. To avoid that, check if your RV has a battery disconnect switch. Otherwise, make sure to turn off and unplug all accessories when not using your RV.

Use a maintainer, tender, or charger to keep the battery charge around 75%-80% during the off-season. At minimum, you should check and charge the battery about once a month. If you have lead-acid batteries, you’ll need to fill the distilled water level to prevent off-gassing.