RV batteries are an important part of your RVing experience. They provide the power you need to run all of your appliances, electronics, and accessories. If you want to get the most out of your RV battery, it is important to perform some basic maintenance tasks. This blog post will discuss how to charge and maintain your RV battery for longer life!
3 Battery Maintenance Tips
You probably won’t realize just how important your RV battery is–until you need to use it, and it’s dead! Use these tips to keep your battery in top shape, so that you never lose power when you need it most.
Keep Your Battery Charged
One of the most important things you can do to extend the life of your RV battery is to keep it charged. When your battery is not in use, it will slowly lose its charge.
To prevent this from happening, you should hook up your RV battery to a charger once every few months. This will keep your battery charged and ready to go when you need it.
Investing in solar panels is one way to keep your battery charged while your RV is in storage. Solar panels automatically charge anything connected to them.
Store Your Battery Away from Your RV
If you winterize your RV, you may want to consider storing your battery away from your RV. You can easily keep it charged during the winter months, and it will be much easier to access it.
Store your battery in a cool, dry place. You’ll be able to make sure the battery maintains a proper temperature even when it’s cold outside–and inside your RV! You can also put your battery on a battery tender if you’d like, which will help the battery maintain voltage levels without overcharging or damaging it.
Keep the Terminals Clean
Another important aspect of RV battery maintenance is keeping the terminals clean. Over time, the terminals can become corroded.
This can cause your battery to lose its charge and not work properly. To clean the terminals, follow these simple steps:
- Disconnect the battery terminals, one at a time.
- Remove the battery (or batteries) from its mounting location.
- Use a wire brush to remove any corrosion.
- Mix a simple solution of one part baking soda to six parts water and clean the terminals.
- Wipe down the outside of the battery.
Once the terminals are clean, you can reconnect the battery, which should work like new!
How Often Should You Charge Your RV Battery?
If your RV battery is functioning well, you probably don’t need to charge it. Just keep an eye on it, and charge when it falls between 45-50%.
When you aren’t using your RV, it’s important to charge the battery every few months. This will keep the battery from losing its charge and dying.
If you store your RV during the winter, you should charge your battery at least once a month. This will keep the battery from freezing and becoming damaged.
Most RV batteries will charge while your RV is plugged into shore power. However, if you want to be extra careful, you can hook up a battery charger.
Campgrounds have different amperages at their sites, but most are either 50 or 30 amp. It’s important to keep adapters on hand so you can always make sure you’ve got the right connector for your hookup.
As a precaution, make sure things are unplugged and turned off before you plug your RV into a campsite. If there are any issues with the connection, or the voltage is incorrect you can damage electronics or even blow your inverter.
If you prefer to camp where there are no power hookups, you may want to invest in a lithium battery. They are more expensive than other types of batteries, but require less maintenance, and last longer.
How Long Will Your RV Battery Hold a Charge?
Battery life lasts will depend on how much you’re using it. Remember, all of the power you use in your RV comes from the battery.
The lights, refrigerator, water heater, outlets, heat, and air conditioning all use the battery when you are not plugged into a power grid. If you’re plugged into a power grid at a campground, you should have nothing to worry about.
However, if you’re “dry camping” or “boondocking” you will need to pay close attention to how much battery power you’re pulling. The average battery charge should last about 2-3 days with normal use.
To make it last longer, you may want to cut back on things like lighting, charging phones, or running the A/C.
When Should You Replace Your RV Battery?
You should replace your RV battery every few years, even if it’s still working. Just like with any other type of battery, they will slowly lose their charge over time.
It’s a good idea to keep a spare battery on hand so that you’re never without power. You can find RV batteries at most camping stores or online.
Visual inspections are also a smart idea when it comes to battery health. Every few months, check your battery for any obvious signs of trouble, including: discharge, leaking fluid, etc.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to extend the life of your RV battery, you can enjoy your travels worry-free! RV batteries don’t require a lot of upkeep, but a bit of maintenance every once in a while will keep your battery in top shape.
Just be sure to give your battery the occasional checkup, and you’ll be good to go.
Two more power-related reads that you might enjoy:
- Understanding Your RV’s Electrical System
- RV Fuses: How to Recognize, Test and Replace Blown RV Fuses
