Off-grid camping can be as exciting as it is challenging. However, in order to enjoy a smooth camping experience, you need to understand how your batteries work, how they’re charged, and how to maintain them.
In this article, we’re gonna talk about your pop-up camper battery and everything you need to know about it. We’ll also help you understand how to keep your battery running at maximum efficiency for as long as possible.
Let’s get started!
Types Of Pop Up Camper Batteries
The first step towards understanding your battery is to know which type you have. There are generally three types of batteries found in pop-up campers; all different in mechanism and design.
1. Lithium-Ion Batteries
Lithium-ion batteries are one of the most commonly used batteries in the world. Most things run on lithium-ion, like your smartwatch, your PlayStation controller, and your pop-up camper.
These types of batteries are popular with pop-up campers because they provide exceptional performance. They also charge the fastest and can be mounted in different ways, which is very convenient on the road.
One attractive feature of Li-ion batteries is that they’re lightweight, last for extended periods of time, and are considered the most durable type of battery.
The only downside of owning a lithium-ion battery is its price tag. It’s the most expensive type of battery you can find. In fact, all other types of batteries are considerably cheaper
Lithium-ion batteries can operate in all climates. You can also easily maintain them by charging them correctly, as they rarely malfunction during their relatively long lifespan.
2. Flooded Batteries
Also called wet batteries, flooded batteries are just as common, but for different reasons.
The thing that stands out with this type of battery is its affordable price. It’s not as dependable as Li-ion batteries, but they still last for a long time.
Although flooded batteries enjoy a long lifespan, they need constant maintenance to keep them running smoothly. They’re also susceptible to spilling, which can be dangerous if you’re not wearing proper protective gear.
Lastly, flooded batteries emit oxygen and hydrogen, and have caps that constantly vent these gases, so you’ll have to keep the space properly ventilated.
In conclusion, you can definitely get some good value from this type of battery if you’re on a budget. Just remember to be more cautious with spillings and leaking.
3. Valve Regulated Lead-Acid Batteries
Valve-regulated batteries come in two types: AGM batteries and gel batteries.
AGM Batteries
AGM batteries are considered the most popular. They are sealed and don’t carry any risks of leaking when being charged. They’re also less likely to sulfate and to self-discharge.
AGM batteries can not only last for a long time on a single charge, but they can also power up your vehicle quickly. This is because of the innovative design that combines sulfuric acid, electrolytes, and an ultrafine fiberglass mat.
The lower internal resistance and faster charging times mean your battery is going to last for several years. It’s safe to say that they’re fairly expensive, and they’ll also need an AGM-compatible charger to work.
Gel Batteries
Gel batteries offer a slight performance boost over AGM batteries, especially in certain conditions. If you live in a hot climate, gel batteries will discharge slower and work more efficiently.
Since gel batteries and AGM batteries work in similar ways, most campers go for the cheaper option, and that’s the AGM batteries.
What Else Should I Know About My Pop-Up Camper Battery?
It’s true, you can find several types of batteries for your pop-up camper. The good news is, once you’ve settled on the type of battery you want, things get much simpler.
There are two things that we consider essential when buying or operating a battery. The first is its A-H rating, which measures how powerful your battery is. The second is how to charge and maintain it once it’s installed in your pop-up camper.
Ampere Hour (A-H) Rating
Your battery’s A-H rating determines how long it can last. It’s calculated by measuring the output current of your battery in amperes then multiplying it by a specific number of hours. We stop measuring the time when the voltage of the battery reaches 1.75 volts per cell. We consider a battery with 1.75 volts to be a discharged battery.
The average battery can last for about 20 hours. This means that if your battery delivers 5 amperes during its 20-hour span, it’ll have an A-H rating of 100.
Of course, it makes sense to buy the highest A-H-rated battery you can find. However, if you do light camping and don’t require a lot of things to be running at once, you can opt for a smaller battery that can tailor to your needs.
Charging And Maintenance
For batteries, charging and maintenance are always mentioned in the same sentence. This is because the way you charge (and discharge) your battery can significantly affect its performance.
The best approach to maintaining your battery is to never let it discharge below 50%. This might prove difficult if you dry camp a lot, and that’s okay. Just remember that the more you discharge your battery below half of its capacity, it shortens its life. As a rule, try not to ever dip below 30%.
Charging your battery is fairly simple, you must always charge it with 20% of its amp-hour rating. For example, if your battery is rated 80 A-H, charge it with a 16-amp charger and not higher than that.
Like your smartphone’s Lithium-ion battery, you should never leave your RV’s battery charging overnight. Trickle charging can irreversibly damage your battery’s cells.
Finally, never leave your battery with no juice for extended periods of time. The more you leave it, the more sulfated its discharged cells become. This will ultimately make your battery unable to hold or receive power.
Closing Thoughts
Remember, some types of batteries can spill acid, which is a corrosive substance. Always wear safety gloves and, preferably, goggles. Finally, make sure you never overcharge or overheat your battery.
Happy camping!