What many RV owners don’t know is that their vehicle actually has two batteries. The first is the starter battery, which is in many ways the same as the battery found in your car. It is used to give the engine a quick burst of energy to get it started. The second battery type is a little different. Sometimes called a deep cycle battery, this power source is used to turn out a lower amount of energy over a longer period of time, and is used to power pretty much everything else in your RV, including lights, appliances, and more.
Luckily, deep cycle batteries don’t need to be replaced very often. However, when it does come time to find a new one, be sure to take all of these factors into consideration.
Type
There are different types of RV battery available, and each has its own pros and cons. Flooded batteries are known to run off lead plates and sulfuric acid, while gel batteries are another option, though they are sometimes sensitive to environmental factors and are easily overcharged.
Both of these types of batteries are being increasingly replaced by Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries. What makes AGM batteries unique is that they have a relatively high power rating, improved lifespan, and a shorter charging time.
Power
The basic factor to understand when it comes to choosing batteries is the power. A battery’s power can be measured in reserve capacity (RC) or in amp-hours (AH). RC measures the number of minutes the battery sustains an output of 20 amps, while the AH measures the number of amps discharged over 20 hours. While this may be a bit technical, the key takeaway is to find the maximum power at the lowest cost. You should also look for a battery with a quick charge time. In that case, an AGM battery is the clear option.
Resistance to Environmental Factors
Since RVs sometimes face rough and tumble terrain, it’s important the battery can withstand various environmental conditions. This is another one of the main advantages of AGM batteries, as they handle cold temperatures well while remaining relatively resistant to vibrations.