Page 13 - Summer 2020 Travelore 50

DRVC Travelore - Page 13
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Concise Guide to RV Batteries
you have an assurance that lithium-ion works well if you want to extend dry camping.
• Highly sustainable voltage levels – making it possible for to provide up to 99 percent usable capacity.
• Weighs less – Another great advantage of this type of battery is that it is lightweight. Note that a recre- ational vehicle is already heavy and big, so an owner may want to look for a battery which is not that heavy, especially if using bank of six or more batter- ies (such as in an all-electric coach). This is something that the lithium-ion battery can guarantee. Since this type weighs less than the traditional lead-acid bat- tery, one can expect it to provide support for weight being provided for other uses.
• Eco-friendly – lithium-ion batteries are environmen- tally friendly. They are safe for the environment, making them ideal green options. They are designed to supply power through clean energy while minimiz- ing CO2 emissions. Disposing of these batteries is safe and friendly to the environment, too. Further- more, these are often constructed out of recycled materials and are, themselves, recyclable.
There is one, significant drawback for some RVers when
it comes to choosing lithium-ion batteries: Expense. The initial purchase price is significantly higher than the more popular type. But, by viewing the chart on page 5, one
will note that the total-cost-of-ownership is only slightly higher than flooded lead-acid while being lower than AGM, which has been the second choice over the past decade.
FMCA Discount on Ion-ready Batteries
Owners interested in moving into lithium-ion batteries should check out the partnership between FMCA and Briter Products. You'll be impressed with the technology
as well as the extended life of these batteries. Simply go to www.briterproducts.com/fmcabenefits to learn more about the company, their Ion-Ready battery brand, and the exclusive FMCA discount arrangement.
Editorial Comments
All of the above is as accurate as I can make it. There is some reading to do between the lines, however.
First, the traditional flooded cell battery remains the most popular and least expensive. Most RV’s are set up to use them. This includes having a smart charger/inverter on board to maintain the battery bank at a proper level. It is wise, however, to check the level of the fluid twice a year and add distilled water at those times.
Second, the non-servicable battery types are popular and are for the person that isn’t a DYI type or prefers to avoid dealing with maintainance issues. They have been used successfully in all-electric motorhomes.
Third, the lithium-ion type is a good value over the life- time of the battery but very expensive when it comes to initial cost. The TCO is great if you plan to own them for ten years or so. Ideally, they are designed to work well in solar applications where the lighter weight of the battery is a swap for the heavy roof panels required for solar/ off-the-grid campers. They do require a special type of charger because the a standard charger/inverter used in most units isn’t designed for lithium-ion batteries. And, until the cost of the LiFePo4 comes down, I don’t see them becoming popular among typical RV owners.
Compiled and edited by Byron Songer from a wide variety of online resources. For further investigation, see the following.
www.rvweb.net/best-rv-battery-reviewed/ www.your-rv-lifestyle.com/best-rv-battery/ familyrvingmag.com/?s=deep+cycle+battery