Although summer is on its way out, there is still plenty of time to work in a warm-weather RV trip. So, what’s powering your next adventure? Currently, lead acid RV batteries dominate the market, but there’s a superior alternative to traditional batteries. The benefits of choosing lithium-ion over lead acid for any application are numerous.  application are numerous.  And, when it comes to your RV, there are specific advantages that make lithium-ion RV batteries ideal. 1. They’re safe. Your RV isn’t just a means to…

If you thought you knew a lot about batteries, be prepared to go back to school in the near future: The world is changing. Once upon a time, RV batteries came from familiar factory names such as Lifeline, Trojan, Interstate, and the like. They were 12V, or better yet 6V “golf cart” styles, made with 19th-century lead-acid technology. They had a great deal of energy storage, considerable weight, and some obnoxious idiosyncrasies associated with their chemical technology. Around 1980, AGM…

A solar power system in an RV is an efficient, practical, environmentally-friendly means of accessing power on the road. Yet, while using solar energy as a source to run everything in your RV is one thing, having that power when you need it can be a different story. “Probably 50 percent of customers that order a solar system request lithium batteries, which efficiently store power from the sun,” says Garret Towne, president of AM Solar in Springfield, Oregon, a company…

There is an old saying that batteries don’t die, they are killed.  Sadly, this is true and we are guilty as charged.  Ba-dum-bum-CHING!  Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. Fast forward seven years of trial and error and we’re practically off the grid pros.  Ok, that may be a stretch, but we have become finely tuned into the resources we use and how to replenish them.  Especially when it comes to our power needs. Now that we are living aboard a sailboat,…

Lithium ion batteries are nothing new in the consumer RV industry. Yet, hi-tech electronics, appliances, and the use of mobile devices in RVs are – and they all cry for portable power. Although 12 volt lead acid batteries have been proven over the test of time, lithium ion batteries are becoming more of a viable choice for RVers due to reliable tech and efficiency. While the choices are vast in the lithium battery market, so are the power options and benefits. Deciding…

To understand just how substantial these advantages are, be sure to read the parallel list about the downsides of lead acid batteries… Superior “Useable” Capacity Unlike with lead acid batteries, it is considered practical to regularly use 80% or more of the rated capacity of a lithium battery bank, and occasionally more. Consider a 100 amp hour battery – if it was lead acid you would be wise to use just 30 to 50 amp hours of juice, but with lithium…

First and foremost, change is always viewed with skepticism. Lead acid has been the go-to for well over 150 years. The majority of industries abhor the changes and upgrades needed to adapt to new & changing technology. But, as the saying goes- the one thing that is constant is change. It is time to phase out lead acid with it’s weight, dangerous acid base and outdated efficiency. Lead Acid Battery Downsides 1) Limited “Useable” Capacity: It is typically considered wise…