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5 Best 12 Volt Lithium RV Batteries Reviewed + How To Charge

Why Should I Get A Lithium Battery For My RV?

If you’ve been researching RV batteries, you’ve probably heard a bit about lithium ion batteries and how amazing they are for RV use.

A few of their amazing benefits include longer life, lighter weight, faster charging, and better safety features.

Most of the time, there’s also a built in battery management system that will protect your new RV lithium batteries from getting damaged.

Related Product: Charge your new lithium RV batteries with a Renogy Rover MPPT Solar Charge Controller with Solar Panels (click to view on Amazon)

If you boondock/dry camp a lot, or want RV batteries that will last, switching to lithium RV batteries is a good idea.

Lithium batteries are commonly used in large RV solar set-ups and even in off-grid homes.

You don’t have to use solar panels with them but adding a few panels can be a good idea.

There are a lot of different lithium batteries out there. Some are better for home use and others are geared more towards RV and camping use.

One thing you should always look for is the 12 volt options because all RV electrical systems run off of 12V power.

You can easily wire 12V lithium RV batteries in parallel to add more amp hours to your RV battery set-up, but many lithium batteries cannot be wired in series to increase the voltage.

That means 6 volt lithium batteries might end up not being compatible with your RVs electrical system.

See Also: Best Deep Cycle RV Batteries (AGM, SLA, 12V, 6V)

In this article, I’ll compare and review some of the best 12 volt lithium batteries for RVs.

Because most RVs only have standard lead-acid battery chargers in them, I’ll also talk about what kind of RV charger/converters you are going to for to lithium batteries.

Summary (Links to Amazon)

Best Overall
Battle Born Batteries Lithium-Ion (LiFePO4) Deep Cycle 12V Battery...
Renogy 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Rechargeable Lithium Battery, Over...
Most Lightweight
ExpertPower 12V 100Ah Lithium LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Rechargeable Battery...
Basic Option
LiTime 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 Battery BCI Group 31 Lithium Battery Built-in...
Voltage
12
12
12
12
Amp Hours
100
100
100
100
Weight
31 lbs
26 lbs
22.6 lbs
25.4 lbs
Built In BMS
Temperature Protection
Parallel Compatible
Series Compatible

Best Overall

Battle Born Batteries Lithium-Ion (LiFePO4) Deep Cycle 12V Battery...
Voltage
12
Amp Hours
100
Weight
31 lbs
Built In BMS
Temperature Protection
Parallel Compatible
Series Compatible
Renogy 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Rechargeable Lithium Battery, Over...
Voltage
12
Amp Hours
100
Weight
26 lbs
Built In BMS
Temperature Protection
Parallel Compatible
Series Compatible

Most Lightweight

ExpertPower 12V 100Ah Lithium LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Rechargeable Battery...
Voltage
12
Amp Hours
100
Weight
22.6 lbs
Built In BMS
Temperature Protection
Parallel Compatible
Series Compatible

Basic Option

LiTime 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 Battery BCI Group 31 Lithium Battery Built-in...
Voltage
12
Amp Hours
100
Weight
25.4 lbs
Built In BMS
Temperature Protection
Parallel Compatible
Series Compatible

Last update on 2024-04-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Best 12 Volt RV Lithium Battery Reviews & Info

1. Battle Born LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Lithium Battery

Battle Born Batteries Lithium-Ion (LiFePO4) Deep Cycle 12V Battery...

Check Price at Amazon

Battle Born is an American company based out of Nevada, the battle born state.

They are known for their expertise and quality in their lithium batteries.

The Battle Born 100 amp hour 12-volt LiFePO4 battery is one of the best lithium batteries you can get for RVs and even solar battery banks.

Much like other lithium batteries, the Battle Born is lightweight weighing only 31 lbs and can be mounted in any position.

The thing that makes lithium batteries so great for RV use, besides the lightweight, is the number of times they can be charged and discharged without being damaged.

Battle Born advertises its 12 volt lithium batteries to be a 3,000-5,000 cycle.

That means they will last much longer than regular lead-acid ones which usually have a life cycle of 200-300.

See Also: What Will The RV Battery Run?

Battle Born uses an intelligent BMS (Battery Management System) that protects its lithium batteries from common battery failure causes like temperature (will not charge when frozen or too hot) and ground faults.

The system can control how much power is being drawn from the cells and act as an emergency shut off just in case something goes wrong.

Lots of companies have built-in BMS on their lithium batteries but not all of them work as advertised.

Battle Born is one of those companies you can rely on.

Because of their high-quality BMS system, you can even say that their lithium batteries are safer than traditional lead-acid ones.

The 12 volt lithium battery is about the same size as a traditional deep cycle RV battery measuring only 12.8 inches long, 6.9 inches wide, and 9 inches tall.

If you already have battery boxes in your RV or trailer, they may already fit.

If not, the Battle Born deep cycle lithium iron phosphate battery is compatible with a group 27 NOCO battery box (click to view on Amazon).

The Battle Born LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Lithium Battery is perfect for RV use and one of the best quality 12 volt lithium batteries on the market today.

Battle Born even has the longest warranty (10 years).

You can connect these batteries in parallel or even in series if you need more voltage for a solar set-up which is an uncommon ability for a 12 volt lithium battery.

I usually suggest getting a lithium RV converter charger when switching your RV batteries from lead-acid to lithium, but you might not need to with this RV battery.

Battle Born says their lithium batteries can be charged by 3 stage chargers so long as the bulk charge is between 14.2V-14.6V and the float charge is 13.6V or lower.

As a reference, my 2013 Prowler has a WFCO 3 stage charger that bulk charges at 14.4V and float charges at 13.6V.

According to Battle Born, it is technically compatible.

If you want to be extra careful and change the charger in your RV anyway, I recommend the Prog Dynamic 12V Lithium-Ion Battery Converter/Charger (click to view on Amazon).

PROS

  • Dependable Company
  • Lightweight
  • Long-Lasting
  • Can Be Mounted In Any Position
  • Can Connect In Series Or Parallel
  • High-Quality BMS
  • Can Be Charged With Certain 3-Stage RV Converter Charger
  • 10 Year Warranty
  • Low Temperature Cut Off

CONS

  • Very Premium Option

2. Renogy Lithium 12V Smart Battery

Renogy 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Rechargeable Lithium Battery, Over...

Check Price at Amazon

Renogy is another big name in the world of lithium batteries and solar energy.

They make a lot of great solar panels and its 12 volt RV lithium battery has some excellent features and is a great choice for campers and solar set ups.

The Smart Lithium Iron Phosphate 12 volt 100 amp hour battery has a lifespan of over 2,000 cycles.

The built in BMS (battery management system) offers protection from over-charging, over-discharging, over-current, short-circuiting, and temperature protection (will not charge when frozen).

Even though it has a high 100ah capacity Renogy’s lithium battery is much lighter than others weighing only 26 lbs.

It also measures only 11.38 inches long, 6.77 inches wide, and 7.38 inches tall.

Chances are it’s going to fit in most battery boxes or RV storage areas with room to spare.

One downside to this lithium RV battery is it cannot be connected in series only in parallel.

For RV use this isn’t a huge deal and it’s very common for lithium batteries to not be compatible with series connections.

But if you are planning on using these batteries for an off-grid solar set up in a home you will not be able to increase the voltage.

Renogy 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Rechargeable Lithium Battery, Over...

Renogy has a past of sending out batteries that were more discharged than people would like.

To combat that they ship this battery in “shelf mode” to stop it from discharging.

If you get this battery you will need to plug in the included activation switch which is basically just a button on the end of a cable. This will take the battery out of shelf mode.

The company doesn’t say anything specifically about being able to charge this lithium battery with a regular RV 3-stage converter charger but much like the Battle Born lithium batteries, it is technically possible.

It could potentially shorten the life of the battery and it’s possible that the battery won’t get fully charged by the RV’s converter.

See Also: How Long Will An RV Battery Run The Furnace? + Calculations

I recommend getting a Prog Dynamic 12V Lithium-Ion Battery Converter/Charger (click to view on Amazon) for your RV when switching to lithium batteries.

Something to think about before changing the converter is your RV will no longer be compatible with lead-acid batteries.

The Renogy Lithium 12V Smart Battery is a fantastic choice and proof that Renogy is working every day to make some of the best batteries possible for RVs, boats, and solar banks.

It’s an excellent choice for campers and a great contender to the Battle Born lithium batteries.

PROS

  • Dependable Company
  • Very Lightweight
  • Can Be Mounted In Any Position
  • Can Connect In Parallel
  • High-Quality BMS
  • 5 Year Warranty
  • Low Temperature Cut Off

CONS

  • Cannot Be Connected In Series (not a big deal for RV use)
  • May Need To Swap Out RV Converter

3. ExpertPower 12V Lithium Deep Cycle Battery

ExpertPower 12V 100Ah Lithium LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Rechargeable Battery...

Check Price at Amazon

ExpertPower is a new up and coming battery maker that has recently started making 12V lithium batteries for RV, solar, and marine use.

The 100ah deep cycle battery has an advertised life of 2,500-7,000 cycles.

It’s fairly lightweight, weighing only 22.6 lbs and measures 13 inches long, 6.8 inches wide, and 8.4 inches tall.

It’s a little longer than other RV lithium batteries but it should still fit in a group 27 or higher battery box.

The built in battery management system protects from overcharging, overloading, overheating, and short-circuiting.

One downside to this battery is it doesn’t have a built in low temperature cut off like the Battle Born and Renogy RV lithium batteries.

See Also: How To Install Solar Panel On RV Roof & Connect To Battery

ExpertPower recommends only using their lithium battery in temperatures greater than 32°F (0°C).

It’s best to use a solar charger with a low temperature cut off or an external one like the Victron Smart Battery Sense (click to view on Amazon) for these types of batteries.

Much like other 12 volt lithium batteries, the ExpertPower is not recommended to be connected in series. You can only connect up to 4 in parallel.

ExpertPower doesn’t recommend you use a regular 3 stage charger for its lithium batteries.

According to them, in order to get the full benefits of their lithium batteries, you need to use a lithium battery charger.

The ExpertPower 12V Lithium Deep Cycle Battery is a more basic choice for RV use.

While it doesn’t have all the safety features the more premium lithium RV batteries have, it’s still an excellent choice.

PROS

  • Built In BMS
  • Lightweight
  • Fits In Group 27 Battery Box
  • Can Be Connected In Parallel
  • Can Be Mounted In Any Position

CONS

  • Cannot Be Connected In Series (not a big deal for RV use)
  • May Need To Swap Out Converter In RV To Fully Charge
  • No Low-Temperature Cut Off
  • 1 Year Warranty
  • Can Only Connect Up To 4 In Parallel

Relion is another popular battery company that makes a great 12V lithium battery for RV and solar use.

The 100ah version weighs 30 lbs and is 13 inches long, 6.8 inches wide, and 8.8 inches tall.

It should fit easily in a group 27 or larger battery box.

The RB100 is one of Relion’s most popular 12 volt batteries.

It has a built in BMS that offers the standard protections from things like overcharging and other things.

But it doesn’t seem to have much protection against low temperatures, which is kind of a big deal if you plan on camping in cold weather.

For full protection, I recommend adding a low temperature cut off like the Victron Smart Battery Sense (click to view on Amazon).

Lithium batteries can be irreversibly damaged when charged in below freezing temperatures.

That’s why it’s recommended to use them in a temperature controlled room or box and to always make sure the low temperature cut off is working.

See Also: Best Portable Solar Panel Charger For RV Camper/Boondocking

Much like other lithium batteries, the Relion RB 100 is advertised to be durable, long lasting, and perfect for RV use.

It comes with a 5 year warranty, and according to Relion, should be compatible with standard 3 stage RV converter chargers.

The doesn’t offer as many specs as other brands, but it’s still a great 12 volt lithium battery made by a reputable company.

For RV use, this is a fantastic choice.

Also, these batteries can be wired safely in series and parallel, which is a necessary feature if you are making a solar power battery bank or looking to connect multiple batteries to your RV.

PROS

  • Lightweight
  • Can Be Mounted In Any Position
  • Can Connect In Parallel & Series
  • 5 Year Warranty
  • Built In BMS
  • Fits In Group 27 Battery Box

CONS

  • No Low-Temperature Cut Off

5. Li Time 12V 100Ah Lithium Battery

LiTime 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 Battery BCI Group 31 Lithium Battery Built-in...

Check Price at Amazon

Check out my full review of the Li Time 12V Lithium Battery here.

Li Time’s 12 volt deep cycle lithium battery is a fairly new battery that is great for using in an RV or solar set up.

Like some of the other RV lithium batteries in this review, the Li Time does not have a decent low temperature shut off sensor, which is a hugely important component of a proper BMS.

Even if you don’t plan on ever being in cold weather, I highly recommend getting a separate low-temperature sensor like the Victron Smart Battery Sense (click to view on Amazon) just in case.

It’s not only good for sensing cold temperatures and alerting you when conditions are dangerous for charging.

It will also tell you the voltage of your RV batteries wirelessly via Bluetooth.

This lithium RV battery has 100 amp hours, which is a popular size for RV use since it will fit in a group 27 battery box.

It measures 13 inches long, 6.82 inches wide, and 8.48 inches tall. It weighs 25.4 lbs.

See Also: Best Remote Start Generators – Portable & Inverter

If you don’t mind a larger and heavier RV lithium battery, there are also 200ah and 300ah versions available.

It’s a well built battery, even though it’s still at a very basic price range.

The advertised life is 4,000 to 8,000 cycles, which is perfect for regular use in an RV or boat.

Even though the low temperature sensor is bad on the Li Time, the rest of the BMS system is excellent.

It will protect against high temperatures overcharge, over-discharge, overcurrent, and short circuits.

For larger voltage needs and increasing amp hour storage capacity, these RV lithium batteries can be wired in both series (up to 4 batteries to 48V) and parallel.

The Li Time 12V 100Ah Lithium Battery is another fantastic basic option for an RV or solar set up.

I like that it can be wired in parallel and series.

Even though the BMS could be better, the build of the lithium battery is solid.

With the minor addition of an exterior cold temperature sensor, it will keep your camper powered for years to come.

PROS

  • Lightweight
  • Can Be Mounted In Any Position
  • Can Connect In Parallel & Series
  • 5 Year Warranty
  • Built In BMS
  • Fits In Group 27 Battery Box

CONS

  • No Low-Temperature Cut Off

What To Look For In An RV Lithium Battery

Size & Weight

Lithium batteries are much lighter than regular lead-acid deep cycle batteries.

In fact, many are 1/3 of the weight, which is a huge selling point for RV use.

RVers need to save on weight as much as possible, so we have space for other necessities like food and water.

One thing to look out for is the size of the battery.

Even though they weigh less, 12 volt lithium batteries are not smaller.

They get especially large when the amp hours go above 100.

Make sure you measure the space for your RV battery bank before purchasing to make sure everything will fit.

Parallel & Series Capabilities

100 amp hours is more power than most weekend RVers use, but many full-time RVers who rarely camp connected to power need more than that.

One way to increase battery bank capacity is to wire 12V batteries together in parallel.

All the RV lithium batteries in this review are parallel wire compatible, but not all can be wired in series.

Wiring batteries in series is a way to increase the voltage, which isn’t necessary for 12 volt batteries and RV use.

If you are looking at other brands of deep cycle 12v lithium batteries, make sure you check if they are parallel compatible or not.

BMS (Battery Management System) & Cold Temp Protection

The battery management systems are a big reason lithium batteries are safe and last for a long time.

They keep the batteries from charging in damaging conditions like too cold or hot weather and more.

One of the most common problems with many RV lithium battery BMS systems is the cold temperature shut off.

Trying to charge lithium batteries in freezing temperatures can damage them. That’s why it’s important to have protection in place to stop it from happening.

Many companies advertise a BMS with a low temp shut off, but after some simple testing, some RVers have found that with some companies, this safety system is lacking.

One way to combat this is to get a Victron Smart Battery Sense (click to view on Amazon).

It will monitor the temperature of the battery and stop charging when conditions are no longer safe.

solar panels outside of a travel trailer charging an RV lithium battery
RV lithium batteries are great for camper solar set ups and can be charged quickly with lots of panels.

Conclusion & My Recommendations For Best RV Lithium Battery

Lithium batteries are changing the game for RVers.

You can now have even more stored power at a lower weight and they last so much longer than lead-acid batteries.

Many campers are now building large battery banks that are hooked up to inverters that turn the 12 volt DC power into 12oV AC power.

These banks are often charged by solar panels which are silent, unlike noisy gas generators.

Adding lithium batteries to your RV is a fantastic way to make camping more comfortable.

See Also: Timeusb 12V/24V Battery DC USB Hub Full Review & Test

The life of the batteries is much longer than lead acid ones, which means you will actually end up saving in the long run.

All the RV lithium batteries in this review are 100ah, but many of the companies make larger versions with more storage power.

The major difference between them is the quality of BMS and the company itself.

There are some great basic options and some amazing premium lithium batteries with superior protections against things like low temperature.

Here are some of my recommendations to help you decide on which kind of RV lithium battery is best for you.

Battle Born Batteries Lithium-Ion (LiFePO4) Deep Cycle 12V Battery...

Best Overall – Battle Born LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Lithium Battery

There are some amazing 12V lithium batteries in this review.

They’re all a great option for RV use, but my first choice is the 12V Battle Born Deep Cycle Lithium Battery.

Battle Born knows what it’s doing when it comes to lithium batteries and you get some serious quality when you go with them.

They are an American based company known for great service and fantastic warranties.

The built in battery management system is reliable, has a cold temperature cut off, and its technology will keep the battery healthy longer.

Battle Born also says it’s ok to wire this lithium battery in series, which is pretty uncommon for these kinds of batteries.

You can also wire them in parallel, which is important for RV use, since you may want to add more amp hours without changing the voltage.

Another thing that makes this lithium battery so great for RV use is its outstanding terminal durability.

Some brands have trouble with their terminals being easy to break, but Battle Born has added some beefy terminals you most likely won’t be able to break.

For RV use, you want a lithium battery that’s durable, lightweight, maintenance-free, and worth it in the long run.

Battle Born’s lithium battery has all these characteristics, and then some making it my top choice for the best RV lithium battery.

ExpertPower 12V 100Ah Lithium LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Rechargeable Battery...

Most Lightweight – ExpertPower 12V Lithium Deep Cycle Battery

If you are looking to save on weight, which is something most RVers are trying to do, the ExpertPower 100ah 12 volt lithium batteries are the lightest in this review.

You can combine up to 4 of them in parallel for 400ah and a total battery bank weight of 90.4 lbs.

They also make a 200ah version that is 48.3 lbs.

The main downside to the 200ah version is its large body that measures 20.6 inches long, 8.6 inches wide, and 10.4 inches tall.

With such a long body, it might be hard to find space for it in an RV, van, or trailer.

LiTime 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 Battery BCI Group 31 Lithium Battery Built-in...

Best Basic Option – Li Time 12V 100Ah Lithium Battery

Sometimes you just need a good old-fashioned RV lithium battery to keep your 12V appliances going while camping and the Li Time is great for that.

It’s on the lower end as far as a BMS system since there is currently no working cold temperature shut off.

But surprisingly enough, Li Time says you can wire their 12V 100ah batteries in both series or parallel with a max of 4.

The cells themselves are put together well, and the box is heavy duty, which is what you want for RV use and camping.

If you aren’t looking for anything fancy, these RV lithium batteries are a great choice.

12 volt lithium rv battery in a motorhome battery compartment
Most 100ah 12 volt lithium RV batteries will fit in regular battery compartments.

Frequently Asked Questions About RV Lithium Batteries

Do RV lithium batteries charge faster than lead acid?

Yes, lithium batteries need to charge at a higher voltage for longer than lead-acid.

Mostly, they will charge faster than lead-acid when connected to the correct charger.

See Also: Timeusb 14.6V 20A Lithium-ion Battery Charger Test & Review

Are lithium RV batteries worth it?

If you boondock/dry camp more than you camp with electrical hookups or live in your RV full-time, lithium batteries can be more worth it than lead-acid in the long run.

They last longer, are lighter, safer, and can be mounted in any position.

A quality lithium battery will have a built in battery management system that will protect it from things and conditions that may damage it.

The other thing that makes lithium batteries more worth it for RVers is you can discharge them as low as 20% without damaging them.

Lead-acid will take damage at 50% discharge.

That means if you have high power needs, you will have to add more lead-acid batteries than lithium ones to get the same power capacity before damaging the batteries.

Will lithium RV batteries explode?

Lithium batteries have a bad reputation for exploding and you certainly increase the risk for problems when you don’t get a battery with a good BMS (battery management system).

All the batteries on this list have a BMS that is put in place to stop the things that may cause explosions.

Short-circuiting and overheating are two factors that contribute to explosions.

A good BMS should be able to stop the battery from getting to the point where it becomes dangerous.

In fact, a good high-quality RV lithium battery will be safer than a regular lead-acid one.

Do RV lithium batteries leak?

Lithium batteries should not be leaking.

If you find that a lithium battery in your RV is leaking,take it out immediately and place it in a safe area far away from anything that could catch fire.

The battery is damaged and needs to be disposed of safely.

Be very careful around any lithium battery that is leaking or looks like it may be damaged as it could be very hazardous.

A good quality lithium battery made by a good company should have none of these problems.

That’s why it’s so important to purchase a good battery and not cut corners.

Will RV lithium batteries freeze?

Yes, lithium batteries will freeze, but a frozen lithium battery isn’t destroyed.

Never charge a lithium battery that is in temperatures of 32°F (0°C) and lower. Charging frozen lithium batteries is what damages them.

On high-quality lithium batteries, the built in BMS will have a low temperature cut off which will stop the battery from charging in dangerous temperatures.

If your lithium RV battery does not have a low temperature cut off, you can get an external one like the [amazon link=”B07RTYGMBD” title=”Victron Smart Battery Sense (click to view on Amazon).

Can lithium RV batteries be recycled?

Lithium batteries can be recycled, but it’s a tough process and not all recycling plants accept large lithium batteries.

If you need to dispose of an old lithium battery, check around and find a local recycling center or even a store that will accept them.

You should never just throw them away in a regular trash can.

What is the right voltage for a lithium RV battery?

RVs and campers run on 12 volt power. That’s the voltage of a lithium battery that will be the easiest to hook up to your camper.

12 volt lithium batteries are best for RV use.

Have any more questions about lithium RV batteries? Leave a comment below.

by Jenni
Jenni grew up in a small town in Idaho. With a family that loves camping, she has been towing trailers since a very young age.

12 thoughts on “5 Best 12 Volt Lithium RV Batteries Reviewed + How To Charge”

  1. Hi Jenni,
    2 questions:
    (1) Would I have to disconnect a 12v Lithium battery from my RV to charge it? If no, do I have to turn Off the battery switch to charge the lithium battery? My draw while charging, if left connected would be less than 1.5amps.
    (2) I found 12v lithium battery/power stations. Its a standard 12v lithium battery but with a 12v port on the side to plug their supplied 10A charger, do you know anything about the quality of these type of batteries?
    Thank you
    FJ

    Reply
    • Hi FJ,

      1. No, most lithium batteries can be used while charging and stay hooked up to your RV. I would want to make sure that the converter/charger in your RV support lithium batteries though.
      2. I would have to know which product and brand you’re looking at. Most power stations can be charged via either 120V or 12V sources. I use a portable power station to power my RV, but I still have two house batteries that are not lithium. The most popular power station brands do not use the best lithium batteries in terms of quality and longevity. The batteries in this post are generally better. Sounds like the battery you’re describing is a little bit different though, so I’d need to know more.

      Reply
  2. I’m just jumping into the realm of RVing. I bought the Renogy Smart Lithium Iron Phosphate 12V 100AH battery to replace my lead acid battery in my 2013 KZ Durango. I did not realize the built in charger/inverter would not be compatible. I see you recommend replacing it with one that handles the lithium battery. I really don’t want to have to do that so I’m wondering:
    1. if the can buy a lithium battery charger and plug it into my generator to charge the battery?

    2. If I use a charger connected to the generator should I disconnect the battery while charging?

    Suggestions/direction please. I will be parked off grid all the time, while developing my land so I will be going between a generator, Jackery 1000 and the 100ah lithium battery. (I do have 2 Jackery solar panels but can’t figure if they can charge the Renogy battery.) Thank you

    Reply
    • Hi,
      1. Yes, you can do that.
      2. Sure, it’s not convenient but you can turn off the converter charger (should be a switch for it in the breaker panel) whenever you plug your RV into the generator or the grid.
      3. You can do that, but you need a solar charge controller between the panel(s) and the battery.

      I haven’t done this myself, but here is what I would buy from Amazon if I were to do something similar with two Jackery panels:

      Two 8mm DC female to MC4 adapters – One for each of your Jackery panels
      One pair of MC4 Y branches – This will connect your panels with the two adapters above in parallel, with two red positive wires going to the red branch and the negatives to the black.
      One MC4 to wire cable – You could skip these and cut off the end of the Y branch to connect it directly to the charge controller, but this would make it easier to quickly disconnect it, although the 8mm connectors will be easy to disconnect anyway.
      A Renogy charge controller that is compatible with lithium – It sounds like you’re going to be relying on this battery a lot, so for that reason you might want to splurge and get an MPPT charge controller instead of PWM.
      Alligator clamps with eyelets (cut off the eyelets and strip the wire so you can connect the charge controller).

      The charge controller shows where to connect the positive and negative wiring for both the solar panels and the alligator clamps.

      Reply
  3. Please help me. I am a total novice with camping, but I bought a little 4′ X 8′ teardrop type camper. It came “bare bones” – just a mattress and window fan. It was used. It does have some plugs but no power station. (The proviso owner lowered his price, as he had solar, etc. I don’t know what I need to have. I only need power for a string of lights (rope lights) – no heating, no a.c., no T.V. or radio – just a electricity for the fan in the window. What do I need to buy? Do I need a generator? Can I just get a 12v battery? I have no idea what I’m needing. Please advise.

    Reply
    • Hi Sharon,
      Does it not even have a 12V battery somewhere? Do you have to plug the camper in for the window fan to work, and is the plug a regular household plug?

      Reply
      • No, I do not have a 12 V battery anywhere. There is an outlet on the outside of the camper that looks like I can plug into 110…and some plugs inside for whatever…
        If I purchase a 12 v battery should I get the lithium kind?
        Do I need a generator for such a small 4 X 8 camper? I only need power for the fan and (rope) lights around the inside of the camper. Would a 12 V battery be enough?

        Reply
        • Ok I see, I wonder if you even have a converter charger then. Does the fan require 12V or is it a regular 110V plug? Or is it mounted so you can’t see the wiring?

          Otherwise I don’t recommend getting a regular 12V battery but a portable power station that you can recharge with a solar panel.Then you can plug everything into the power station and keep your devices charged up.

          You could start small with an Explorer 240 + 100W solar panel (click to view on Amazon), or buy something a little bit larger to be safe, like the EcoFlow River Pro + 160W solar panel.

          The small Explorer 240 might be enough, but I’d need to know more about the fan and lights to say for sure.

          Reply
          • Thank you so much!! I plan to order the EcoFlow River Pro.
            The label on my fan shows 12V.
            You have been a great help.

  4. I want to purchase a 100 kWh BBorne li battery for my 2020 Aliner trailer. It has a WFCO 3 stage WF 8700 series charger. Spec says it bulk charges at 14.4 V and has a constant target output of 13.6 V. Is this compatible?

    Reply
    • Hi John,

      I believe the WF-8700 has an auto detect feature that will charge a lithium ion battery using the bulk charge.

      It should work for the Battle Born because the bulk charge on the WFCO is 14.4 volts, and Battle Born recommends chargers that have a bulk charge voltage between 14.2 and 14.6 volts.

      The only thing that may cause an issue is the over temperature protection that’s built into the WFCO charger. It might stop charging when temperatures get too hot. But otherwise, it should work fine.

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