Negosentro.com | Factors to Consider When Selecting the Best RV Deep Cycle Battery | The recreational vehicle’s battery is highly essential in its electrical system. You will need to take your time when selecting the best RV battery. It allows you to use your devices and the appliances in your RV off the power grid. It is good to note that an RV will require a starting battery for the engine and the house batteries. In the case of a house battery, a few batteries could be wired together to supply power. In the case of starting engine, you require a large battery.
House batteries differ from the RV’s engine batteries in that the former is mainly for ensuring a continuous supply of energy. The latter is only needed to supply a quick energy burst for starting the engine.
The house batteries need to be completely discharged before they are charged again—a process known as deep cycling. The best RV deep cycle battery lasts longer when compared to other batteries giving you the much-needed power for long.
The deep cycle RV battery is also useful when it comes to storing solar panels energy. It is vital that you choose the best RV battery as it ensures that your RV runs effectively and efficiently. We will now look at the aspects or factors that you can consider when selecting an RV deep cycle battery. These are:
- Capacity: This is usually measured in Ah, meaning Ampere hours. This typically indicates the specific current amount the battery delivers at a given time. If it is 75Ah in capacity, it can provide 75Ah for an hour. It is good to choose a battery with a high capacity because it can store more power, which means that it will serve you for long. Though, it is essential to consider the battery size as well as its weight while considering the amount of room that you have to store the batteries.
- Figure out the best capacity needed for your vehicle; you need to know your energy requirements. When planning to go off the grid, ensure that you choose a battery that will continue working to supply all your energy requirements without depleting.
- Voltage: This refers to the electrical differences’ potential. Typically, deep cycle, as well as the starter batteries, are made with 12-volt DC (direct current). However, some people can combine 6-volt by wiring them in a series to build 12-volt batteries, which they use for their RVs. It is good to consider your specific RV system.
- How the battery is charged: It is good to consider how you will be charging the battery: whether by using solar power, a generator, or an electric system. You can combine the three forms when necessary. The charging profile is determined by the type of battery that you will purchase for your RV, which means that you will always be supplying the correct charge at any given time.
- Discharge: You need to scrutinize this factor when looking for an RV battery. The depth of discharge can be expressed in percentage form showing the exact amount of power the battery discharges.
- An RV battery that can withstand any vibrations. It should be well built and shock resistant to avoid spending a lot of money on repairs as a result of damages to the battery.
- Power at low and high temperatures: It is recommended that you check the RV battery’s ability to give out power when the temperatures are high or low. You may need the battery to supply power during cold seasons. You need to ensure that your chosen battery has the ability to provide power in a 0-degree environment. If it is a hot and humid environment, you also need to check and ensure that this factor does not affect its ability to operate optimally.
It is crucial to maintain your RV batteries so that it can last for long and continue offering the best service. How well this is done will also mean that you are getting most out of your battery. Most of the maintenance instructions can be found in the manufacturer’s manual. Here, we will now look at some of the basics that you need to do. These are:
- Always check the charge of your deep cycle: You need to ensure that you are checking the charge to ensure that you have power throughout. You can use tools such as hydrometers, amp-hour meters, among others, to check this and recharge the battery if it indicates a 50% charge. You should never let it get below 20%.
- Preventing Sulfation: This can happen if you leave it uncharged for long, and it may be too late to save it. Sulfation prevents it from accepting charge. Always recharge the battery fully to avoid this.
- Other ways to maintain the battery include giving it a period to cool off, periodic equalization, and avoiding stratification.
