The Best RV Battery for Boondocking

What is the best RV battery for boondocking? Boondocking or dry camping is something most (if not all) RV owners like to enjoy. It doesn’t hurt to take a break and distance you (and your family or friends) from the world for just a bit. Some see it as a way of “safer living,” as living in an RV forces them to have a minimalist life because storage is minimal.

However, boondocking isn’t that fun when your RV’s batteries fail, especially when you choose to camp in a place with no facilities nearby! Nobody wants to get stuck on the side of the road waiting for strangers or rescuers to come to their aid, so to have a worry-free boondocking experience, you would like to have only top picks of RV batteries for boondocking!

Best RV Battery for Boondockings

1. Renogy Li 12V 100Ah Smart Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery

If you are looking for batteries for an rv, the Renogy 12V Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery might be what you need. This deep cycle battery produces the 12-volt input that your RV needs to support its appliances. Rated at 100 amp hours, this battery can last for hours while you’re parking or at rest. It is claimed to be widely used in RV, Solar, and Marine applications.

The lithium RV battery is bound to last longer than your traditional lead-acid batteries, lasting up to 2000 charging cycles. This is more than double the period of conventional lead-acid batteries!

Renogy also integrates a smart battery management system (BMS) into this battery, protecting it from abnormal conditions like slow cranking, especially in freezing weather. Additionally, the intelligent BMS is set to monitor the battery’s charging and discharging process. It will not be damaged from overcharging or over-discharging quickly.

The smart battery comes installed with an RJ45 communication port for its flexibility in connecting batteries. This promotes the battery’s auto-balancing feature. The voltage output is set to be equalized to that of the other connected batteries.

The battery should be strung in parallel, as it is made only for such connections. This feature promotes the balancing of the voltage output between batteries and the independence of each battery power. Connecting batteries in series collect energy from all batteries at once, so there are fewer chances of maximizing each battery output.

Furthermore, the battery is extremely lightweight, it’s at least half of what lead-acid batteries weigh.

Its sealing effectiveness, or IP protection rate is IP54, allowing it to prevent the limited intrusion of dust with no harmful deposits and splashes of water from all sides. This prevents any damages to the battery from its external environment.

2. VMAXTANKS 6 Volt 225Ah AGM Battery

The 6V 225AH AGM Deep Cycle Battery is another one of the highly praised batteries for boondocking. It is claimed to have a lifespan of 8-10 years when used as a float (or a back-up energy source).

This lead acid deep cycle battery uses Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) for its suspension system, allowing it to absorb and hold the electrolytes with its high porosity completely. AGM lead-acid batteries are much more powerful than conventional ones, as they are made to support your modern boondocking RV needs. This AGM battery RV also supports the product’s 225 amp hours rating.

Another feature of this deep cycle lead-acid battery is its heavy-duty lead-tin alloy grid, which allows it to last quite some time. The lead alloy grid supports the battery duration even after multiple discharges. It enables you to charge and reuse the battery as much as the grid lasts.

Additionally, unlike traditional lead acid batteries, the VMAXTANKS 6V AGM Deep Cycle Battery does not require any maintenance in float service. Whereas conventional methods of maintenance (such as replenishing electrolytes) are needed, this product has no provisions for such tedious work, letting you simply set it and go!

Furthermore, this battery was made to be connected in either series or parallel! Series connections of this battery allow you to get the desired voltage output your RV needs. Stringing two of these batteries in series results in a 12V output to power your RV appliances. On the other hand, stringing the batteries in parallel lets you have a 6v longer-lasting production, essentially for you to continue on the road for longer.

Adding to all its great features, the 6 volt RV batteries do hold a high depth of discharge. Many satisfied customers have claimed that the battery does hold a charge pretty well and is charging faster. This product can also be charged if your RV has solar panels, making it a strong contender against other batteries for RV solar panels.

3. Battle Born LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery

The Battle Born Li-Fe-PO4 Deep Cycle battery is an excellent battery for truck campers, RVs, Marine, and other dry camping vehicles. Battle Born boasts about the battery’s Lithium-ion technology, battery management system (BMS), 12V and 100 amp hour output, and multitudinous charging cycles.

Firstly, the deep cycle lithium-ion battery is set to last so much longer than lead-acid batteries. This product promises a whopping 3000-5000 deep cycle, which is more than double the deep cycle of time-honored lead-acid batteries. Since the cell does not contain any acid, you can place it in any orientation you like, allowing you to have the best camper or RV battery setup.

Secondly, the built-in BMS of the product stands as the “brain” of the battery. This function prevents the battery from failing because of temperature volatility or ground faults. The BMS regulates the power output to avoid any dangerous power surges. When this occurs, the system shuts off to keep the lithium-ion cells – and most importantly, you – from any damage.

Thirdly, the RV house battery is credited with an output of 12V and 100AH when fully charged. This makes it an excellent battery for your RV/camper appliances that need a 12V output. Since this battery can also be connected to others in series, it can provide your high-voltage tools with the power it needs, up to 48V devices. Its amp output is at a continuous 100amp, allowing you to run machines for at least an hour.

Furthermore, the battery is built to weigh at least 1/3 the weight of lead-acid batteries, which is impressively light. The manufacturing weight of the product is at 29 lbs and has been praised by many customers.

Lastly, Battle Born takes extreme pride in its eco-friendly battery manufacturing. The company claims that their product is made from 100% safe, nontoxic, renewable energy, so buying one saves you on a boondocking trip and helps protect the world.

4. ExpertPower LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Rechargeable Battery

ExpertPower, Amazon’s #1 seller of lead-acid batteries, has introduced its newest line of RV house batteries: lithium-ion batteries. Though these types of batteries are not new in the market, they are new products from the manufacturer. The manufacturer boasts the longevity of the product, its efficiency, extremely lightweight, complete protection by its BMS, and durability.

Much like previous Li-ion batteries, the ExpertPower LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery is promised to have a tremendous number of 2500-7000 charging cycles and a 10-year lifetime. This is more than even five times the normal charging cycle of old school lead-acid batteries, which gives ExpertPower the right to brag about it. It is sure to last you long in your boondocking life.

In terms of efficiency, the company promises a flat discharge curve, which means that it has a steady output even as it continually discharges. The company claims that the battery maintains an output of 12V for up to 90% of its run-time, making it a challenging competitor for the other 12V Li-ion deep cycle batteries in the market. The 100AH rating is bound to last you a little over an hour, as the amp output of the battery is at a steady 70amps.

Compared to other 12V 100AH Li-ion batteries, the ExpertPower battery weighs in at a surprisingly light 22.6 lbs in contrast to the batteries that have the same ratings and weigh over 25lbs.

The company also promises that the built-in BMS of the battery prevents it from being overcharged, overheated, overloaded, deeply discharged, and more. The system majorly aids with the company’s confidence in its product durability. The product is known to have similar durability ratings with Odyssey RV batteries, which also have high durability ratings.

5. NP6-225Ah 6V AGM Deep Cycle Battery

The NPP NP6 Deep Cycle Battery is a pack of two 6V, 225AH AGM batteries. This product has been certified by the international standard for a quality management system with a rating of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. This means that the value of the product and the manufacturing methods of the company are continuously improving and eco-friendly, respectively.

Each battery has a rated output of 6V and 225AH, so buying the two pieces and connecting them in series allows you to have a 12V and 450AH output! Its capacity is credited to be 120AH in 1 hour and 225AH in 20 hours. Its self-discharge in 3 months is 9%, in 6 months 18%, and in 12 months 35%.

The Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) battery allows it to store electrolytes in a “dry” state rather than a free liquid state, thus making the battery maintenance free. This system also lets the owner apply it in areas with difficult maintenance, as there are no liquids that could leak from it.

The product’s case is made from plastic, essentially making it non-conducive, thereby reducing the risks of electrocution and short circuits. Additionally, NPP has designed this ABS plastic casing to withstand shock, vibration, harmful chemicals, and temperature, all of which could cause the battery’s inner mechanisms to be damaged, and its performance deteriorates.

The manufacturers have also said (in reply to a customer in Amazon) that the battery can be connected in series and stacked to produce up to 48V and 900AH. This would make the battery a high camper van battery. It has the capability to power high-voltage appliances, as well as other functions such as lights and fans, when connected in parallel.

6. 4X TROJAN BATTERY T-105 PLUS

The Trojan Battery T-105 Plus comes in a set of four flooded/wet cell batteries. Each battery has an output of 6V and 225AH at 20 hours, making it a competition to other 6V RV batteries in the market. This lead acid wet cell battery is designed to have robust durability, support the Trojan pride technology “T2”, maximum sustained performance, longevity, and increased total energy.

The grid for the battery uses a specialized lead-antimony alloy that is meant to work well with the Trojan Alpha Plus Paste with T2 Technology. This allows the battery to have superior charging and incredible structural adhesion between the Alpha Paste Plus and the battery grid frame.

Having a thick grid prevents the battery from suffering from overall corrosion. The built-in grid setup was designed for optimal and enhanced current flow, substantially reducing downtime and maintenance costs.

Along with the other models in the signature line, the T-105 comes equipped with the Trojan Maxguard T2 Separator. This Separator is engineered to keep acid channels open longer, allowing the enhancement of electrochemical processing while preventing battery stratification, wherein substantial compounds buildup at the bottom of the battery.

In addition, the battery’s maintenance will require using the Alpha Plus Paste with T2 technology for the best results. The copyrighted paste was constructed to engage the active chemicals in the battery, thus reaching their maximum potential. Following the Trojan signature line and patented maintenance products and components allows the battery to perform at its finest and fullest capacity.

Since the battery comes in a pack of four in Amazon, you can use the batteries to power high voltage appliances in your RV or camper for boondocking. The battery has a minimum capacity of 185AH at 5 hours and a maximum of 250Ah at 100 hours.

7. Weize 12V Deep Cycle AGM SLA VRLA Battery

The Weize 12V 100AH Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) or Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) LFP12100 battery is an AGM battery for RV, which is quite a surprise as most lead-acid and AGM batteries in the market only has a capacity of 6V. If your RV is still operating on wet cell batteries but want it upgraded, you should consider this product as one of your cheaper RV battery upgrades.

Lithium-ion batteries in the market, while having more cycles for the battery, carry a hefty price with them. Meanwhile, AGM lead-acid batteries are cheaper and require no maintenance from you! Note that the AGM suspension system holds the electrolytes in a “dry” state, which prevents any free liquid leakage and stops the hassle of replenishing electrolytes.

The LFP12100 uses a unique calcium-alloy grid. The company claims to provide the exceptional performance and service of the battery in either float or cyclic use. This means that the battery’s mission is to support your boondocking dreams while lasting longer in the field itself.

The company prides itself in many applications like solar panel off-grid energy, wind energy, back-up sump pump, and many more. Because of these claims, you can trust that the battery will serve you well in your trips.

Unlike other AGM batteries, the LFP12100 promises a 12V output. You can have twice the production of a single 6V AGM battery. When strung in series, the maximum output of the battery would be 48V, provided that you have enough space for four of these batteries as they are quite vast. The battery capacity is at 100AH/10 hours, wherein the manufacturer promises to produce a steady 100amps for 10 hours.

8. Universal Power Group 12V 100Ah DEEP Cycle VRLA Battery

The Universal Power Group UB121000 is a 12V 100AH AGM SLA Deep Cycle Battery that can be used in either float or cyclic operations in marine, security, solar, wind, and off-the-grid applications. This versatility makes the battery an excellent option for dry camping needs, specifically for powering your camper/RV appliances.

The battery for RV solar includes a handle at the top of its seal, allowing you to carry it easily. However, it is quite heavy weighing in at 64 lbs., so you would want to be careful carrying it by hand. Loading it on a cart or asking someone to help you take the weighty battery is the safest option. Dropping the battery could damage its components, causing it to malfunction or stop functioning.

The AGM RV battery allows you to place the battery in any orientation. It is a sealed lead-acid battery that does not hold any liquids to have your desired RV battery setup for dry camping. This also makes the product another contender for AGM batteries, as it is rated to have a 12V capacity. In contrast, more AGM batteries only have a rating of 12V.

Much like other batteries, the 12V 100AH AGM SLA battery has a direct correlation with temperature. This means that the lower the temperature, the lesser its capacity is. However, the battery is featured to have a lower self-discharge rate. The battery could lose around 20% of its size in 2 months at 104 F.

Be careful in using a single battery in extreme power outputs, as the manufacturers have intended for the battery to be used as a low-output battery. If your RV/camper is equipped with high voltage appliances, you would want to consider stringing multiple of these batteries into series. Doing so gives you the desired output.

9. VMAXSLR125 AGM Deep Cycle Battery

The VMAX SLR-125 is another AGM SLA Deep Cycle Battery. It has a little higher capacity than other 12V AGM batteries, as it is rated to be 125AH. VMAXTANKS has always specialized in producing AGM lead batteries, so they are one of the most trusted brands by RVers.

This heavy-duty battery is made to withstand extreme conditions, allowing you to use it at its full capacity without having to worry about its maintenance. Since it is still a lead battery, you should consider that its lifespan is not as great as you would expect, and deeply discharging it could cause it to have a lessened capacity.

You can expect an outstanding performance from this battery because its plates are made from military-grade metal. The stronger the plates are in a battery, the better they can hold the chemicals and allow for reduction-oxidation reactions. More durable metals are also more resistant to corrosion. The battery can function at an excellent performance for quite some time.

Designed to have 99% recombination capabilities, the battery makes a tremendous Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) or Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) battery. This prevents any leakage or fumes that the battery may exude when malfunctioning. This serves a dual purpose as the battery’s seal strength protects both you and the battery from being exposed to harmful chemicals.

The trustworthy brand promises an 8 to 10-year lifespan for the battery when used as a float, so you can keep using the battery as a backup power source when you’re out camping, if you have a battery that lasts longer in cyclic applications. Otherwise, the SLR-125 would also be an excellent choice for a primary source of power. You can string it in series to produce the desired voltage output, or in parallel to have a steady power output for a longer time.

10. Amstron GC2 6V AGM Battery

The Amstron AP-GC2 6 volt batteries use AGM technology, which accounts for its durability. Amstron considers their very own product a reliable choice for your RV battery upgrade needs. Its technology offers several features over wet cell/flooded batteries.

Like other AGM batteries, the AP-GC2 does not contain any free liquids, as its electrolytes are stored in a dry, suspended state. Because of this state, there is no longer a need for maintaining the battery, like replenishing its liquids and worrying about acid leaks. Furthermore, the product can withstand lower-than-normal temperatures, as the absence of fluids inhibits any freezing inside the battery.

Additionally, Amstron has engineered its batteries to reduce heat generation during charge or discharge cycles, helping its components last longer, effectively allowing it to reach its rated cycles. The self-discharge rate of the battery is also incredibly low. It lets you store it for more extended periods or use it as a float without having to boost it with a charge.

Its high-grade plates are constructed to withstand specific amounts of shock and vibration, so you wouldn’t have to worry about the battery sitting in its dock with some extra space around it, as it is a compact battery (10.24 x 7.09 x 10.79 in). The high-grade plates are bound to be more resistant to corrosion, too, as high-quality metals are usually able to withstand specific chemical reactions in the battery.

The battery seal also promotes the company’s claims that gas emissions from the battery are less than 4%. The seal allows you to place the batteries directly in your RV/camper when you lack space in the battery dock, but Amstron reminds buyers that they are not meant to be placed in sealed or gas-tight containers.

Why You Should Trust Us

Trusting just any product review on the internet is difficult, as false information spreads as quickly as pressing “Enter.” Rest assured, this review was done by gathering the necessary knowledge and understanding to produce a trustworthy and unbiased review of the product.

Before writing these reviews, we have scoured different sources of information and filtered each one to have the most basic understanding of RV batteries. Each product description was thoroughly read and noted, allowing us to provide the necessary information you need.

After looking into the basic product description, we took the time to read a myriad of reviews for each product. We could tell how well each one worked for different customers. We understand that there are different reasons why each customer is satisfied, so we investigated each one’s concerns to determine the most common problem: from failures, false ratings to even poor customer support.

Our aim in giving these reviews is not to persuade the readers into buying the product, but giving them coherent facts about each, so they can choose one that they think is the best for them.

Simply diving into stores without any knowledge about batteries can get you easily fooled, especially when sales representatives can be adamant about beguiling you to buy their products, so being able to process what you’re getting yourself into is not such a bad idea. We aim to arm you with the knowledge you need for it.

What Is An RV Battery For Boondocking/ How Does It Work

An RV battery for boondocking is a source of power or electricity for your camping appliances. RVers who enjoy dry camping are cut off from almost all sources of amenities and are left only with what they have in their RVs or campers. And since many things require electricity these days, these campers rely on RV batteries to produce the electricity their RV/camper needs to function and provide them with their basic needs.

Car batteries are devices that make use of chemical reactions to produce electricity. Each battery contains a cell, and each cell has two plates, one being made of lead, while the other being made of lead dioxide. Lead-acid batteries dip these plates into sulfuric acid, triggering a reaction between the two plates. The result of this reaction produces electrons or negatively charged particles, and their movement generates electricity.

Lithium-ion batteries make use of different parts to generate electricity. In these parts, Lithium ions are moved around, which eventually creates free-moving electrons. These electrons generate a charge in one of the components in the battery, creating a current. This current travels to the cells of the battery and enters another part of it, so energy cycles are restored.

Simply put, batteries house chemical reactions that generate electricity that is measured in Volts to power your appliances.

Types Of RV Batteries For Boondocking

There are generally two types of RV batteries for boondocking, which are lead-acid batteries and lithium-ion batteries. Each has its functions, advantages, and disadvantages. However, the output and capacity are not necessarily dependent on the type, but the manufacturer.

Lead Acid Batteries

Lead-acid batteries are conventional batteries and are most commonly used. They work by using a specific acid, sulfuric acid, to generate a chemical reaction that creates electricity. They tend to have cycles of around 300-500, so they do not tend to last that long. There are two types of lead-acid batteries:

• Wet Cell or Flooded

Wet Cell batteries are the oldest type of wet cell batteries. They make use of sulfuric acid to generate electricity. Because of this, they also require maintenance in the form of electrolyte replenishing. They also pose a risk of leaking as they contain free liquids.

• Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM)

AGM batteries are the improved take on lead-acid batteries. These suspend electrolytes in a dry state, which means they no longer require maintenance. Likewise, the battery no longer has the risk of acid leaking as there are no more liquids inside them.

Lithium-ion Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries are the newest type of RV batteries and are highly praised for having longer cycles. That being said, they also cost more than lead-acid batteries, as they have twice – if not more – the average period of lead-acid batteries. They are also lacking in liquids and require no maintenance, much like AGM batteries. Many Li-ion batteries also come with battery management systems that prevent it from getting overcharged or contracting any abnormal conditions.

Benefits Of Using RV Battery For Dry Camping

Dry camping or boondocking necessitates a lot of electricity to provide campers with comfortable experience. Using RV batteries for dry camping offers many benefits, as it has many uses and features that allow you to have an excellent boondocking experience.

• Power Your Appliances

There is no need to question whether or not your RV/camper requires electricity. Little things like lights, fans, alarm systems, and other appliances all require electricity. Having an RV battery gives you just that. It gives off stored power for quite some time, allowing you to survive the dry camping trip by relying on your appliances.

Carrying lamps and flashlights are a hassle, as they have a small effective range. Sleeping without a fan is very uncomfortable because not everyone likes to sleep in warm weather. Relying on the RV battery to power your lights and fans is much more comfortable and stress-free, as all you have to do is set it up and flip the switch.

• Rechargeable

RV batteries are a reliable source of energy for boondocking because they can be used more than once. Some like to carry generators with them to recharge their batteries. At the same time, the eco-friendlier campers invest in wind or solar energy to power their batteries.

The chemical reactions that occur in batteries are reversible, meaning you can “restart” the state of the battery. A discharged battery has exhausted all means of generating the electricity from the chemical reactions, but recharging it allows the chemicals to enter the state they were in before they were made to react, so power can keep flowing.

• String in Series or Parallel

Not all appliances have the same required voltage input, and some may even need more than the output your battery can give. Luckily, most batteries for boondocking allow us to be strung in series to get the necessary production. Connecting four 12V batteries in series produces a 48V output. Likewise, combining two 6V batteries for boondocking produce a 12V output, while connecting four provides 24V.

If what you’re after is not voltage output, but a longer energy flow, then you can string the batteries in parallel. Doing so allows you to have a stable energy output but from more sources. For example, stringing two batteries that each have a continuous output of 12V for 20 hours lets you have 40 hours of 12V energy output.

• Most Portable Source of Energy

Generators are quite the load on your RV/camper, and require maintenance and fuel to produce electricity. Using RV batteries for boondocking benefits you by producing electricity without being bulky or requiring fuel. Charging it, however, requires an external source of energy, which is why many RVers like to carry around generators in their trucks or campers, or simply connect them to solar or wind energy harnessing devices, so they are easily charged.

How We Picked

Choosing a battery for truck campers or RV batteries for boondocking can get tedious, especially when there are so many options to choose from. We understand that you wouldn’t want to simply pick the battery with the highest ratings and classy-sounding specs, so we broke down the factors that are the most important to you when choosing the best RV battery for dry camping, rather than what sounds fancy.

• Battery Capacity

We know that boondocking can get extremely difficult without any power for your RV/camper. We made sure to choose only the batteries that could give you the electricity you need to get that unforgettable camping trip. To check that, we consider amp hours (AH) and voltage (V) of a battery. 100 amp hours means the battery can deliver 100A for 1 hour. In brief, higher voltage allows more overall power and higher amp hours brings about more overall run time.

We chose those batteries that provide energy to your appliances for quite some time so that you don’t have to worry about the battery getting totally discharged in just a single night of using it. This ensures that your appliances can give you maximum comfort during your trip, so you won’t need to stress over a discharged battery.

• Maintenance Needs

Frankly, everyone wants hassle-free and maintenance-free products. We made sure to consider that in picking the batteries. Most of the cells we chose for you are AGM batteries, which need little to no maintenance, aside from charging, of course. We know that support can be costly, so having maintenance-free batteries helps you save money and be stress-free!

The only maintenance-needing battery is the flooded lead-acid battery Trojan T-105. However, this battery is straightforward to maintain as patented, and Trojan’s patent-pending products are all you need to keep the battery. You wouldn’t need to look around asking for help on how to manage the battery!

• Riskiness

Batteries are hazardous products when not handled properly. They work with chemicals that, when exposed to, immensely affects your health. We ensure that these products are well-manufactured and sealed to prevent any of the hazardous materials from escaping and harming you.

Some batteries produce gas emissions, if not liquid leaks. A lot of these products are adequately sealed so that they can be placed inside your RV/camper without having the risk of inhaling such toxic gases. We value your safety over product promises, so we took into account all the reviews that state the battery has any toxic liquid or gas emissions.

• Durability

Buying a new battery is extremely expensive, especially when newly bought ones get destroyed easily from shocks and vibrations. We chose only the products designed to withstand such environments because we know that not all roads to a great camping trip are smooth.

We also took note of the battery’s resistance to weather, as immense weathers are damaging to certain components of the battery. Many products are made of high-quality parts that are resistant to cold and hot climates, so you can store them in these places without having to worry about its performance getting affected.

• Price

Buying a battery that takes a heavy load off your wallet is painful, and we know that pain. So, we made sure that the products on the list are worth that pain, and you wouldn’t feel disappointed about buying them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the most popular brands of RV batteries for boondocking?

A: The #1 rated RV battery brand is Odyssey RV batteries. However, many other manufacturers sell high-quality batteries. Some of these are also assessed to have similar features as Odyssey RV batteries, such as durability.

• Renogy – Renogy is renowned for its solar energy products and using advanced battery technology.
• VMAX TANKS – are proud producers of maintenance-free and top-of-the-line AGM deep cycle batteries.
• Battle Born – Battle Born takes pride in their eco-friendly and trustworthy manufacturing and products.
• ExpertPower – ExpertPower is proud of their high-quality wet cell batteries and recently started producing high-quality AGM batteries.
• NPP – NP Power International Inc. specializes in supplying high-quality lead acid batteries and power banks while paying attention to diverse customer demands.
• Trojan – Trojan takes its pride in its long-term production of lead-acid batteries, manufacturing since 1925.
• Weize – Weize specializes in producing high-quality automotive batteries.
• Universal Power Group (UPG) – UPG energy storage solutions have powered lives, everyday applications, and innovations, to make a positive difference with energy storage solutions.
•  Amstron – Amstron Power Solutions manufactures a line of highly portable external batteries that no longer need to be plugged into hard-wired power sources.

Q: How to install?

A: It is essential to install the battery properly and carefully, as failing to do so can create sparks, electrocution, and permanent damage. Before installing the battery, make sure none of the appliances are consuming electricity to prevent any sparks. If you’re replacing an old battery, note which sides the negative and positive terminals go to.

Once you know how the battery should be positioned in the dock, remove the cables carefully, positive first. If you’re using a wet cell battery, make sure that it has the sufficient number of electrolytes. Adding to battery electrolytes is simple; simply fill the battery with distilled water until the desired volume is reached.

Before attaching the cables to the battery, clean its terminals with a wire brush, preferably until it becomes shiny. Carefully place it in the dock, similar to how the old battery was positioned, taking into account the positive and negative terminals.

Connect the cables to the battery, and then add the hold-down device so that it won’t be easily displaced. Before going full-throttle on the battery, check its functionality by turning on the RV lights for a few minutes. If you don’t encounter any sign that the battery has a problem, such as flickering lights, it is ready for use.

Q: How to use it?

A: Once you have successfully installed the battery, it becomes ready for use. Once again, check the battery by turning on your lights. If you don’t encounter any problems, then go ahead and test it out by turning on your other appliances. The battery should automatically power these appliances unless a certain device requires more than the capacity of your battery.

If you’re already on your camping trip, you can simply charge your batteries through the RV/camper’s 30- or 50-amp hook-up. Siphoning power from the electrical grid, also known as shore power, charges the battery while also powering your appliances. However, many experts suggest draining at most 50% of the battery’s capacity before charging it.

Another method of charging the battery is directly charging it with DC power. If you have invested in a solar panel or windmill, it connects to an amp controller (charge controller), which connects directly to the battery. Doing so utilizes clean and renewable energy to charge your battery to power your appliances. Generators also work virtually the same, but require fuel, like diesel or propane.

When your battery is fully charged, you can go back to using your appliances freely. However, make sure that your batteries are never overcharged, as this could damage the battery and its functionality.

Q: How to maintain & care/ clean?

A: Proper battery maintenance is a critical factor in the longevity of your battery. Each battery requires a different kind of maintenance, and having precise knowledge of how to take care of your battery is essential. To start, here are some basics:

Store your batteries where the temperature is maintained. Keep them away from freezing temperatures, as they damage the components of the battery and dramatically reduce its cycles. Likewise, keep the battery away from overly hot areas, as it also contains parts that are sensitive to such temperatures.

Regarding its charging, make sure that the battery is not overcharged or over-discharged. Many suggest that a battery is well-maintained when regularly charged after using 50% of its capacity. Remember to store fully charged batteries, as storing discharged batteries causes a buildup of solids inside them, leading to the battery malfunction.

If you’re using a flooded battery, always make sure that its electrolyte levels are maintained. Gel cell batteries, AGM batteries, and LiFePO4 batteries don’t need the same maintenance as wet cell batteries. They are even claimed to be maintenance-free. Just make sure to clean them now and then, but still, take care of them as you would do for your flooded batteries.

You can easily clean your batteries with a dry cloth or brush. Ensure the batteries are not connected to any appliances and that you are dry to prevent any electrocution. Never place the batteries anywhere wet and never use any wet materials on the battery. This could cause damage and sparks flying.

Q: Where to buy?

A: There are many places where you can buy RV batteries for boondocking. Some (if not all) of these products are sold as RV batteries at Walmart. Other places where you can purchase these batteries are your local hardware stores, as they are bound to have car batteries for you. Don’t be confused, though, because some car batteries can also be used as RV batteries, just make sure to ask the Walmart or hardware sales clerk.

The most convenient place to purchase these batteries is online. There are online selling platforms, like Amazon, that offer many RV batteries. Some of these come from the manufacturers themselves, and once you purchase these, all you must do is wait for it to be shipped to your doorstep.

Conclusion

Choosing the best RV battery for dry camping is not an easy task. With so many high-quality products in-store, anyone could easily be confused with whichever suits them best. Nevertheless, entering the battery market armed with necessary information helps you quickly choose whichever battery you think is best suited for you. Never forget that your battery is crucial in determining how well your boondocking trip will go.

If you’re not a regular camper and like to go dry camping when you feel like it, your battery needs a lot of features so that it can serve you well! Thus, if you want great value for your money, there is no other way but to choose only the best RV battery for boondocking!

Arthur

Except when sleeping, Arthur cannot keep camping out his mind. He loves RVing that he spends most of his time in his recreational vehicle and on the road. Arthur knows that this might change once he got married to the love of his life, Amanda. But the two have no problem, as Amanda also loves camping. In fact, the both of them are excited to have kids that would also love RVing.