Maintenance is only a factor if you choose flooded lead-acid batteries. If you plan on using your batteries for 5+ years, lithium will be the cheaper option (despite the scary up-front cost). As long as you use and store your batteries properly, lithium batteries can last 10+ years.Įven if you don’t over-discharge your lead-acid RV batteries, you will probably only get 2-3 years out of them. The most significant benefit of lithium RV batteries, in the long run, is their lifespan. Every ounce matters when RVing, so being able to shave off weight was a big reason why we went with lithium.Ĭomparing the Renogy batteries from the list:ģ00Ah (usable) Lead-Acid Battery Bank = 396 lbs Not only do you need twice the number of lead-acid batteries, but each lead-acid battery also weighs 2-3X as much as each lithium battery. This means that one 100Ah lithium battery has twice the usable capacity of a 100Ah lead-acid battery. Lithium batteries can be discharged to 0% without any permanent damage. This limitation is why I put the usable capacity in parentheses for the lead-acid batteries on the list. If you discharge a lead-acid below 50% even 2 or 3 times, the battery will become useless. Lead-acid batteries cannot be discharged below 50% without permanent damage. One big reason why lithium batteries outperform lead-acid batteries is their usable capacity. The up-front cost alone leads most RVers to lead-acid batteries, but continue reading about how lithium RV batteries can save you time and money in the long run. A quality 100Ah lead-acid battery costs between $200-300. Quality lithium RV batteries cost between $700 and $1,000 each for a 100Ah battery. The first major difference you will notice between lithium and lead-acid RV batteries is the cost. Things to Consider Lithium vs Lead Acid RV Batteries Pro-tip: Terms like “12 volt”, “deep cycle”, and “marine” are used for both lithium and lead-acid batteries, so they do not help you determine which type of battery you are looking at. If you are going with lead-acid batteries, choose AGM. While AGM batteries are slightly more expensive than the other two, flooded batteries require consistent maintenance and gel batteries have low discharge/recharge rates. AGM batteries are now the most popular lead-acid RV batteries. “AGM” includes batteries labeled “lead acid”, “flooded”, and “gel”. Lithium ion batteries, on the other hand, are typically used in cell phones and electric cars because they are lighter and charge faster. Almost all lithium RV batteries are LiFePO4, because this chemistry is very safe and LiFePO4 batteries have a very long life. “Lithium” includes LiFePO4 (or lithium iron phosphate) and lithium ion. In reality, there are 2 major categories: lithium and AGM. A quick search for RV batteries will lead you to believe that there are many different types to choose from.
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