Everything you need to know about RV batteries overcharging

Overcharging your RV battery is problematic because it diminishes the lifespan of the device and makes it more prone to failure. In this article, we look at what causes an RV battery to overcharge and the steps that you can take to prevent it.

Why does my RV battery overcharge?

If you have an RV battery that is overcharging, the main culprit is usually your converter malfunctioning or being unsuitable for the task at hand. Smart converters, also known as three-stage converters, are the correct type of device to use on an RV battery.

Smart converters use different charging settings depending on the situation:

• Bulk – this super-charges your battery and aims to get the RV battery to 90% charge quickly.
• Absorption – this method is slower but will progressively charge the battery to 100 %.
• Float – this type of charging ensures that the battery remains well-charged and it will not run flat.

RVs are almost always using energy, even when they’re parked and idle. What that means for your battery is that without proper care when charging, it could quickly drain itself entirely. Overcharging normally occurs when the smart converter malfunctions and is left on bulk or absorption mode. In other cases, using a standard converter for too long can overcharge the battery of an RV.

How do you prevent an RV battery from overcharging?

The easiest way to prevent this is to use a smart converter and make sure it doesn’t get stuck on bulk or absorption mode. If you don’t have a smart converter, investing in one could save you the headache of a dead battery from overcharging.

There are other instances where an overcharged RV battery is the result of something else, like aging. RV batteries aren’t designed to last forever – only about 3 or 4 years – so if it’s an older battery, that might be the cause. Most of the time though, it’s something related to the converter.

The key takeaway from all of this is to take care of your RV battery to avoid it from overcharging. Make sure you are using a functional smart converter and don’t let the battery run flat by leaving it for prolonged periods without a charge.