Why Should I Get A Lithium Battery For My RV?
Lithium ion batteries have revolutionized RV power systems with their longer life, lighter weight, faster charging, and improved safety features.
For boondockers/dry campers or those looking for an RV battery upgrade, lithium batteries are an excellent choice. They’re also ideal for large RV solar setups and off-grid living.
Related Product: Charge your new lithium RV batteries with a Renogy Rover MPPT Solar Charge Controller with Solar Panels (click to view on Amazon)
When choosing a lithium battery for your RV, get a 12-volt option to stay compatible with the 12 volt RV electrical system.
Many 12 volt lithium-ion batteries can be wired in parallel to increase amp hours if you need more stored power.
This article will review the best 12-volt lithium batteries for RVs and discuss the necessary charger/converter upgrades, as most RVs come equipped with standard lead-acid battery chargers.
See Also: What Will Happen If I Charge A Lithium Battery With My RV?
Summary (Links to Amazon)
- Premium – Battle Born LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Lithium Battery
- Best Basic – Wattcycle LiFePO4 Lithium Battery
- Smart Battery (Bluetooth support) – LiTime 12V Lithium Battery w/ Bluetooth
Premium
Best Basic
Bluetooth
Last update on 2024-11-27 / 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, an American company from Nevada, is renowned for their high-quality lithium batteries. Their 100Ah 12V LiFePO4 battery is a premium choice for RVs and solar battery banks.
At just 31 lbs, it’s lightweight and can be mounted in any position. What sets it apart is its impressive 3,000-5,000 charge cycle lifespan, far outlasting traditional lead-acid batteries.
The intelligent BMS protects against common failures like temperature issues and ground faults. It controls power draw and acts as an emergency shut-off, making it potentially safer than lead-acid batteries.
See Also: Best Portable Power Station/Solar Generator For Camping
Measuring 12.8″ x 6.9″ x 9″, it fits most RV battery boxes or a group 31 NOCO battery box (click to view on Amazon).
You can connect these in both parallel or series, which is uncommon for 12V lithium batteries.
Battle Born offers a 10-year warranty.
While a lithium-specific charger is often recommended when switching from lead-acid, Battle Born claims compatibility with 3-stage chargers (bulk charge 14.2V-14.6V, float charge ≤13.6V).
For those wanting to be extra cautious, consider upgrading the converter in your RV a lithium compatible one like the Powermax Lithium Compatible RV Converter (click to view on Amazon)
PROS
- American
- Long-Lasting
- Any Position Mounting
- Series or Parallel Connection
- High-Quality BMS
- Regular 3-Stage RV Charger Compatible
- 10 Year Warranty
- Low Temperature Cut Off
CONS
- Very Premium Option
- No Bluetooth
2. Wattcycle LiFePO4 Lithium Battery
Check out our review of a similar battery by Wattcycle here.
The Wattcycle LiFePO4 battery is a powerhouse for RVs, boats, and even lawn equipment.
This 100Ah, 12V battery packs has an impressive 20,000 cycle lifespan. That’s significantly more than other 12 volt lithium RV batteries on the market. Wattcycle has made this lithium RV battery with longevity in mind.
Safety is a priority with the Wattcycle. Its built-in 100A BMS protection plate automatically disconnects when it senses issues such as; over-charging, over-discharging, over-current and short circuiting.
At just 23.2 lbs and measuring 10.2 x 6.6 x 8.2 inches, this compact RV battery is perfect for Group 24 battery size applications. It should fit most RV battery boxes.
One standout feature is the Wattcycle’s working temperature range. Operating from -4℉ to 158℉, it’s ready for nearly any climate.
It also has a built in low temperature shut off feature to stop it from charging in low temperatures.
You can connect up to 4 batteries in series or parallel. This makes the Wattcycle perfect for larger setups and gives you the option to expand later on.
It’s worth noting that lithium batteries like the Wattcycle require specific chargers, only the Battle Born reviewed above is advertised to be standard smart charger compatible.
Double-check your current setup’s compatibility or consider upgrading your charger when making the switch.
The Wattcycle LiFePO4 battery stands out as a budget-friendly, high-performance option with important safety features such as low temperature protection.
Its combination of safety features, compact design, and impressive lifespan make it a strong contender in the lithium battery market, especially for RVs and boats.
PROS
- Highest Charge Cycle Rating
- Any Position Mounting
- Series or Parallel Connection
- High-Quality BMS
- Low Temperature Cut Off
- Small Size (Group 24)
CONS
- Requires Lithium Specific Charger
- Only 5 Year Warranty
- No Bluetooth
3. Power Queen Auto-Heating 12V Lithium Battery
Check out our review of a similar battery by Power Queen here.
The Power Queen auto-heating LiFePO4 battery stands out with its innovative heated lithium pad feature, making it an excellent choice for RVers who frequently camp in colder climates.
This 12V 100Ah battery automatically heats up when temperatures drop below 41°F, ensuring optimal performance in cold conditions.
The heating duration varies based on the temperature, lasting between 30 to 100 minutes, which helps maintain efficiency without draining the battery unnecessarily. It will also shut off automatically when temperatures get too low.
It uses a 100A Battery Management System (BMS), protecting against common issues like overcharging, short circuits, over-current, over-temperature and low temperature.
The Power Queen is rated to handle over 4000 charge cycles at 100% depth of discharge. Not the highest in this review, but a decent amount, especially when compared to traditional lead-acid RV batteries.
With a capacity of 1280Wh and output power of 1280W, it’s capable of handling most RV power needs.
Its Group 31 size (13″ x 6.77″ x 8.43″) makes it a direct replacement for many RV setups.
For those needing more power, you can connect multiple batteries in series or parallel for up to a 48V 400Ah system.
Overall the auto-heating version of the Power Queen RV compatible lithium battery is a fantastic choice for anyone looking for a solid lithium battery that has all the basics.
PROS
- Any Position Mounting
- Series or Parallel Connection
- High-Quality BMS
- Low Temperature Cut Off
- Auto-Heating
CONS
- Requires Lithium Specific Charger
- Only 5 Year Warranty
- Low Charge Cycles
- No Bluetooth
4. Weize Mini LiFePO4 12V Battery
The Weize 100Ah LiFePO4 battery gives you all the power you’ll need in a compact package. It’s about a quarter smaller than typical batteries in its class, but still delivers the same power.
This makes it a great fit for RVers who are tight on space but don’t want to sacrifice performance. It will fit in battery boxes that are group 24 and up.
This battery can handle over 2,000 full discharge cycles, and up to 8,000 50% discharge cycles. That’s a significant upgrade from traditional lead-acid batteries, potentially lasting five times longer.
See Also: What Will The RV Battery Run?
The battery’s management system keeps an eye on all the important things such as; over charge and discharge, over current, short circuiting, high temperature, and low temperature.
If something does go wrong, the battery shuts itself off automatically.
This isn’t an auto-heating battery, but it will stop charging when temperatures go below freezing, which is important for RV and boat applications.
Weize backs their product with a 10-year warranty, which is twice as long as other lithium battery companies.
Like most LiFePO4 batteries, you’ll need to use a charger specifically designed for lithium batteries to get the best performance and lifespan.
PROS
- Lightweight
- Any Position Mounting
- Series or Parallel Connection
- High-Quality BMS
- Low Temperature Cut Off
- 10 Year Warranty
- Small Size (Group 24)
CONS
- Requires Lithium Specific Charger
- Low Charge Cycles
- No Bluetooth
5. Li Time 12V 100Ah Lithium Battery Bluetooth Edition
Check out our review of a similar battery by Li Time here.
LiTime’s 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 group 24 battery combines modern tech, portable size and versatile design.
Its standout feature is the Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to monitor battery status through a smartphone app.
This real-time tracking of voltage, current, and capacity is a game-changer for RV owners who want to monitor their power usage.
Fitting the BCI Group 24 size standard, this battery is a drop-in replacement for many RV setups.
Despite its universal fit, it’s significantly lighter than traditional batteries and other 100Ah lithium batteries, which is a plus if you want to add more.
The LiTime features a 100A Battery Management System (BMS) that guards against common issues like overcharge, over temperature, over discharge, over current, short circuit and upgraded low-temperature cut-off function.
Low temperature cut off is starting to become an industry standard. We recommend getting an RV lithium battery with a low temperature cut off or auto-heating.
It’s versatile enough for solar setups, RVs, and off-grid living and the added Bluetooth feature is a rare, but extremely useful addition.
The only thing you don’t get with this LiTime is an auto-heating feature, but the low temperature cut off makes up for it.
PROS
- Lightweight
- Bluetooth
- Any Position Mounting
- Series or Parallel Connection
- High-Quality BMS
- Low Temperature Cut Off
- Small Size (Group 24)
CONS
- Requires Lithium Specific Charger
- Low Charge Cycles
- Only 5 Year Warranty
Things To Consider
Size & Weight
Lithium batteries offer a significant weight advantage over traditional lead-acid deep cycle batteries, often weighing just 1/3 as much.
This is crucial for RVers who often need to carry their RV batteries or add more.
However, it’s important to note:
- While lighter, 12V lithium batteries are not necessarily smaller in size.
- Batteries with capacities over 100Ah can be particularly large.
- Always measure your RV’s battery compartment before purchasing to ensure a proper fit.
- Consider the weight distribution in your RV when placing heavier battery banks.
Capacity and Power Output
Many RVers will add power converters when making the switch to higher capacity lithium batteries. But even these batteries have limits. Not just any converter will work. The max continuous power output rating matters too.
Determine your power needs by calculating your average daily energy consumption. Consider batteries with higher amp-hour (Ah) ratings for higher power needs and large inverters.
Look for batteries with high continuous discharge rates for powering energy-intensive appliances.
Check the peak discharge rate for handling momentary surges from devices like air conditioners.
Parallel & Series Capabilities
For RVers needing more power than a single battery provides, look for batteries that can be wired in parallel to increase capacity.
All batteries reviewed here are parallel and series wiring compatible.
Series wiring (to increase voltage) is generally unnecessary for 12V RV systems, but it’s a great option for home power banks and solar setups.
Battery Management System (BMS) & Cold Temperature Protection
A quality BMS with a complete safety profile is crucial for the RV lithium batteries. A good BMS prevents charging in potentially damaging conditions.
Cold temperature protection is especially important, as charging lithium batteries in freezing conditions can cause damage.
For camping in cold climates, look for LiFePO4 batteries with built-in heating elements for cold weather operation.
Charging Compatibility
Most RVs aren’t made for lithium batteries, ensure your current charging system (converter, solar charge controller, alternator) is compatible with lithium batteries.
Most lithium battery manufactures recommend only using lithium specific chargers, the only exception to this is Battle Borne, they advertise their premium RV lithium battery to be 3-stage smart charger compatible, which most RVs today use.
Charge Cycle Rating
Check the charge cycle life rating. Higher-quality LiFePO4 batteries often offer 3000-5000 cycles or more. Note that the DOD (depth of discharge) is an important factor in these numbers.
When talking about discharge cycles, the lowest number is often when charged from 0% to 100%. The higher number is often when charged from 50%.
This is because it’s more damaging to a battery to be discharged below 30-50%. Some companies will inflate their numbers by only showing the cycles from a low DOD (50-80%).
In the table for this review, I’ve included the charge cycles for a 100% DOD (from 0-100%) to give you a more realistic idea of how long the lithium RV battery will actually last.
Safety Features
Seek batteries with multiple layers of protection against overcharging, over-discharging, short circuits, and thermal runaway.
Consider batteries with waterproof or water-resistant casings for added durability in varying conditions. Look for UL certification or other recognized safety standards.
Monitoring and Connectivity
Some advanced lithium batteries come with built-in Bluetooth connectivity for easy monitoring via smartphone apps.
Consider batteries with external monitoring ports for integration with RV power management systems.
Wrapping Up RV Lithium Batteries
Lithium RV batteries are game-changers for campers who want reliable 12 volt power sources that are maintenance free, durable, safe, longer lasting, and easier to carry.
Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. The best RV lithium battery for your rig depends on how you camp, what you’re powering and your budget.
For a lot of RVers, especially those who camp a lot, they’re worth looking into. Even if you have to make some adjustments to your charging systems.
All the LiFePO4 batteries in this review are excellent choices for RV use. They have the basic BMS safety features and most importantly, low temperature cut off.
There are fantastic options for cold weather campers, those who want to monitor with Bluetooth, and even RVers who want a hassle free option that’s ready to be charged with a standard RV smart charger (Battle Borne).
Hopefully RV manufacturers will catch on and start including lithium compatible chargers in the built-in RV battery charging system.
But until then, make sure you make the proper adjustments so you can get the most out of your new RV lithium battery.
Frequently Asked Questions About RV Lithium Batteries
Do RV lithium batteries charge faster than lead acid?
How fast a battery charges depends on the charger, that’s true for both lithium and lead acid.
Lithium batteries do, however, sometimes support faster charging than most lead acid batteries. That means the charging amperage can be higher, resulting in a faster charge.
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 that they can handle a DoD (depth of discharge) significantly lower than lead acid, while still offering more life cycles. So even from the get-go, you have a lot more usable amp-hours.
For lead-acid batteries to last, they’re usually not recommended to discharge below 50%. With lithium, it’s not uncommon for users to discharge them down to 10-20%.
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. That’s especially true for LiFePO4 batteries.
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.
Very informative ! Thank you Jenni, and the others for replies..
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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?
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?
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.
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.
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?
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.