![]() ![]() You will want to calculate the AH requirements of your most commonly used appliances and make sure that your battery is rated highly enough to meet those demands overnight. This is the most important number to understand when considering your recreational vehicle’s electrical demands. For example, if a battery can deliver 10 amps for 10 hours, its rating would be 100 AH. This is a measure of the total energy capacity of the battery.Īmp-hours are calculated by multiplying the amps drawn from the battery by the amount of time that the battery can provide that current. Perhaps the most important rating for a battery is the Amp-Hour rating (AH). These devices will give you an up-to-date readout on the health of your RV battery system. Pro-Tip: If you get fed up testing your battery capacity with a voltmeter, consider investing in an RV battery monitor. This is why the RC rating is important, because low-voltage batteries may fail to operate crucial electrical equipment, or worse, damage certain appliances. Your battery system needs to maintain a high voltage to power many RV appliances. As you might imagine, the battery voltage slowly decreases as the energy capacity is discharged. Reserve Capacity (RC) is the length of time that a battery can discharge 25 amps before the voltage drops below 10.5 volts. ![]() This is a much more common temperature condition for starting the engine or for powering RV appliances. Without this guarantee, your motorhome might not start during cold winter mornings at a campsite, or even worse – in the wilderness.Ĭranking Amps (CA), also known as Marine Cranking Amps, are measured at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. ![]() It’s measured at 0 degrees Fahrenheit and must provide a consistent current for 30 seconds without dropping below 7.2 volts.ĬCA is an important rating to ensure that your RV or car battery can turn the engine in freezing conditions. RV batteries are rated in four different categories:Ĭold Cranking Amps (CCA) is the measured current that a battery can produce in cold weather. A car battery undergoes continual charging by the car’s alternator when the car motor is running. Full battery discharge and then recharging will reduce the battery’s lifetime and efficiency. It powers cooking appliances, water heaters, refrigerators, or even clothes washers and dryers when the vehicle is not connected to the external power grid (known as dry camping).Ĭharging RV batteries should be done as a rule after 50 percent of the battery has been discharged. Other than that car batteries only perform a few other low-voltage minor functions, such as powering the radio or operating the power windows.Īn RV battery has a much greater responsibility. You will also find that charging batteries for RVs is different too.Ĭar batteries create short and powerful energy bursts necessary to start the gas engine. While both do use 12 volts the most important difference is how they’re used. You may think that car and motorhome batteries are similar. Differences Between Your RV Battery and Car Battery To ensure the lifespan of your battery and make sure you are never caught short we have put together this guide all about RV battery charging. These include microwaves, electric heating, air conditioning, and hot water showers.Īll of these home comforts require electricity to run and your motorhome delivers this via deep cycle batteries. Many find it hard to completely immerse themselves in nature without a few of the modern conveniences that society has grown accustomed to. In the USA alone 40 million people own an RV and the industry contributes billions of dollars to the US economy every year. Outdoor camping remains one of the most popular recreational or vacation activities in the US. ![]()
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