DE-MYSTIFYING RV HOUSE BATTERIES

Most RVs have at least one house battery, so let us show you how to get the very best from yours

WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY GRANT HANAN, ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY BY CARAVAN & MOTORHOME

In the RV world, we tend to define batteries by putting them into one of two categories. The first type is a starter battery, which is predominantly used to turn your vehicle’s engine over and supports the electrics associated with driving. The second type is the house battery, used to support accessories and lifestyle features of an RV such as fridges, pumps, lighting and inverters. You could say it’s running all the household items. Let’s take a closer look at the types that are available.

TYPES OF BATTERIES

The majority of batteries on the market are lead/acid. Technology is advancing and the use of nickel-cadmium and lithium is starting to become an affordable solution. However, lead/acid batteries still retain the lion’s share of the market. These sorts of batteries are manufactured as two types: the cranking style and the deep cycle type.

Common types on the market are traditional flooded batteries, calcium maintenance-free, AGM or absorbed glass mat, and gel. You will make a decision about which type is best to be used as a starter or a house battery by considering the application. You need to know how it will be used, the frequency of cycles, and its load carrying requirements.

MAINTENANCE FREE HOUSE BATTERY

When we say “maintenance free” and “battery” in the same sentence, what do we actually mean? Is it maintenance free because we don’t have to open up caps and pour distilled water into the battery? Or perhaps once the battery is charged, we can “set and forget”? While all of the above is true, don’t expect to get a long life out of your house batteries if you take this approach.

MAINTAINING YOUR HOUSE BATTERY

Chris from Enerdrive says: “a house battery needs a good charging regime which is the key to maintaining and extending its maximum life. All batteries will discharge themselves over a period of time depending on the type. This may be rapid, happening within weeks, while others may take months, so you can’t simply set and forget. In addition to charging, keep all connections clean and free of dirt, grime and any corrosion.”

CRANKING VS HOUSE BATTERY

There is a difference between maintaining your cranking battery and your house battery. Your in-vehicle car battery is designed to deliver a high current over short bursts and will recharge rapidly via your vehicle’s electrics—i.e. alternator. If you then rely on the same charging circuit to recharge your house batteries, they will receive some current, but will never reach a state of full charge. So for house batteries, we need to consider other charging methods.

CHARGING TYPES

There are multiple ways to keep your batteries charged. Not all deliver a perfect full charge, but all will apply a current, which is termed as amperage (or amps for short) into the battery.

1 In-vehicle charging via an Andersontype connector from your vehicle charging circuit.

2 240v mains battery chargers – there are multiple brands and types in the market, but all work differently. It’s important you purchase the right type for your needs.

3 Solar panels coupled with a regulator – there are many different types and all work differently.

4 DC to DC chargers – Use the voltage from one battery to charge the other battery. They do not create amperage, they simply pass it through.

5 Generators – some have a 12v output that allows you to connect directly to your batteries.

HOUSE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEMS

To fully charge batteries, we apply three basic stages of charge, which achieve very specific voltage points. Understanding these stages and applying them correctly will significantly increase the life of your battery. Many modern charges have sophisticated electronics and offer a variety of other stages. But fundamentally it comes down to these three: bulk, absorption and float.

BULK

This is the first stage, in which the maximum amount of current (amps) is applied to increase its voltage.

ABSORPTION

In the second stage, the voltage is bought to the maximum for that battery type. It can range from 14.4v for wet cell flooded batteries to 14.7v for AGM types. Whilst voltage remains high, the amp rate is lowered. This has the effect of soaking all the cells in the battery and is critical to bringing it to a fully charged state.

FLOAT

In the third stage the battery is considered to be full. The amps now applied to the battery are significantly reduced at around 1 to 2 amps while the voltage is held constant at around 13.6v. This is perfect for controlling the battery’s self-charge and keeps the battery at maximum charge ready to go.

FROM THE EXPERT

We asked Chris McClellan from Enerdrive a range of questions about batteries. Here are his responses.

How should I store my RV batteries for long periods in between use?

The best scenario is if your RV is kept outside and has solar. Overnight there will be some drain and the following day the batteries will again fully charge from the sun. If your RV is undercover, leave the batteries on the charger. This of course assumes you have a smart charger and it goes to float. Another option is to use a timer and have the van charger come on for 12 hours once a week. Lastly, a low amp trickle charger will also work.

Is there a risk that I can “overcook” the batteries by leaving them on charge?

A good quality charger that is designed specifically to maintain batteries will charge only when required and hold the voltage high and the amps low. It’s important to have the right charger for the system as it’s all about matching the charging circuit to the battery bank.

Is it better to store batteries on the inside or outside of my RV?

Depending on the battery type, it’s a matter of preference. Regardless of where they are, you should aim for a well-ventilated cool area. Firmly secure with some rubber matting to help shield vibrations. It’s also important to keep them clean so terminals won’t corrode, leading to poor electrical connections.

HOW FLAT IS FLAT?

Determining when a battery is deemed to be flat isn’t easy as manufacturers quote different voltages at different temperatures. If you try to claim under warranty, you may find that manufacturers will shy away from claims if the voltage has been allowed to go too low. Many will consider a battery to be flat if  it is below 12 volts whereas the general industry rule is 10.5 volts. Every time you discharge the battery below the manufacturer’s minimum recommended voltage you shorten its life span.

MONITORING YOUR BATTERIES

The RV industry predominantly has used volts as a way of measuring a battery’s remaining capacity. This is one indicator only and should be used as a guide. For those who rely on their batteries the industry now has many different gauges, alarms and displays that show a range of parameters. There are even some that can provide graphs and logs indicating how the battery has been cycling.

CHRIS’ TOP 5 TIPS for MAINTAINING HOUSE BATTERIES

1 Seek professional advice so that your battery setup will match your RV style. A well-designed system is money well invested and you will save in the long run.

2 You would be surprised how much battery drain occurs when you think everything is off. Fit a low voltage cut-out device but shop around as they all differ in how they work.

3 Purchase a good monitor gauge to show the state of charge in your batteries. Knowing this information allows you to take quick action.

4 Buy a smart charger from a well established manufacturer that can explain exactly how the charger works and who backs their products with good warranty. You don’t want to be left high and dry should something go wrong.

5 “Cycling” means using the batteries for what they are designed. Allow them to run down and then recharge so the battery chemistry is constantly “excited” and not left sitting around. Consider a cycle plan when your van is in storage.

MORE QUESTIONS?

David Bayliss , CEO of BMPRO by Setec, answers some common questions

What battery types are best to be used in your RV and why?

• Lead acid batteries remain the most cost effective solution for RV enthusiasts

• Deep discharge batteries are best suited to RV application as they are designed to be recharged several times

• 12V lithium batteries are gaining popularity where volume, weight, temperature sensitivity, better performance or low maintenance is more important than the initial cost

What are the best methods to keeping these different types of batteries charged?

• For lead acid types, multistage chargers are specifically designed to charge RV batteries in the shortest timeframe without causing any damage to the batteries

• Lithium batteries require two charging stages – be sure to use either a lithium specific charger or confirm that your standard charger is equipped to do the job

• When choosing a charger make sure you select the correct charger for your specific application – chargers that are too big may overheat and damage batteries whereas a smaller charger will take far too long

What measuring tool/ gauges exist so I know my batteries are OK?

As volts is only one indicator of battery state it’s important to use a gauge that measures a range of variables to determine the true status of your batteries. You will need a device that monitors comprehensive battery information including state of charge, state of health, temperature, time remaining, amps and volts.

When I’m home, should I disconnect my batteries from my RV?

If you leave batteries disconnected, you run the risk they will fully discharge which can lead to sulphation of the plates causing irreversible battery damage. It is advisable to leave them on a combined power supply and charger with a built in low voltage disconnect where possible.

PROTECTING YOUR BATTERIES

As we can’t watch our battery’s voltage 24/7, a good way to prevent excessive discharge is through low voltage cutouts. These simply get wired into the house battery circuit and can be set at a predetermined voltage. Once this voltage is reached, they disconnect the battery from the appliance.

SUMMING UP

To set up an electrical system in your RV that delivers the power you need when you want it, you need to start with the right design. A lack of knowledge may see you purchasing any old battery that might work in the short term, but you could find yourself spending a lot more money in the long run. Knowing how your system works can be the difference between trouble-free electrics or a new battery every year.