Are you curious to know more about lithium batteries for campers? Do you want to know what they are, what they are for, and how they work? Then this article is for you.
We talked about lithium batteries with Francesco from “Evolution Sun,” who put his knowledge and many years of experience in the sector at our disposal to clarify our ideas.
Lifepo4 batteries are a type of latest-generation service battery for campers that solve many of the problems we had with other types.
Service batteries accumulate the energy necessary to operate your vehicle’s accessories, such as lights, TV, heating, and all those utilities that work at 12v.
But what distinguishes lithium batteries from others?
Fast charging
The absolute advantage of these batteries is the charging speed of around 2 hours with an empty battery, unlike other service batteries, which require a charging time ranging from 10 to 12 hours.
The difference for those who do purely free parking is substantial!
Much lighter
Another feature, significant for us campers, of lithium RV batteries compared to its competitors is the weight. A lithium battery weighs 12kg against the 33-35kg, for example, of lead-acid batteries.
This is not to be underestimated, especially on our vehicles that leave the factory already almost out of weight!
Perfect for free parking
Do you have an inverter, or are you thinking about buying one? Then lithium batteries are for you!
Thanks to the speedy charge times, lithium batteries are perfect for use with high-power inverters. In this way, you will be able to get a 220v current, just like at home.
An example? The lithium batteries, combined with a solar panel inverter, allow you to use a 220v air conditioner even while you’re traveling, thanks to the charging and discharging speed of the current, which can even reach 50Ah.
The safest
Perhaps this is the most crucial feature of all. Lithium batteries are born with a BMS (Battery Management System), a system for controlling the functions of the storm, including the safety functions.
The BMS also works as a current stabilizer because it regulates the charges and monitors the charge and discharge status of the battery.
Furthermore, since the internal cells of the lithium batteries must have a temperature between -20° and +45°C during charging and discharging, the BMS also monitors this.
The BMS is, therefore, an essential component because, in the event of problems, it disconnects the connection and prevents damage to both the battery itself and your vehicle’s system.
How are lithium RV batteries recharged?
Lithium batteries, just like all the others, can be charged using a special charger. The more powerful the charger, the faster it will charge.
You were traveling! Oh yes, through the alternator of your camper, which will recharge them every time you start the trailer! You have already given good power to charge these types of batteries quickly.
And then, of course, thanks to the solar panels.
You can also charge the lithium batteries via the solar panels fitted to your motorhome. Of course, the number of conferences and their size affects the charging speed.
Lithium batteries for motorhomes: do it yourself?
Would you like to install lithium batteries on your vehicle independently? It is possible, but you will have to pay close attention because the current that passes through the cables connected to the battery is powerful. Therefore the cable section must be suitable for the system, and the work must be done professionally.
Therefore, we recommend you always rely on an expert to avoid problems or malfunctions.
Lithium batteries, therefore, represent the new generation of service batteries and are much more performing and safer than all the other types on the market.
They certainly cost a little more but are worth all the difference invested because they live much longer than the others!
Camper inverter: what is it for, and why have it?
Have you ever heard of the usefulness of having an inverter pure sine wave for a camper? Are you curious to know what it’s for and how it works? Then you’re in the right place.
Camper inverter: what is it for?
First, the inverter is one of the most useful, if not almost indispensable, accessories for campers; it is used to transform electricity from the classic 12v trailer to the 220v of the house.
In this way, you can use any accessory or appliance you already have at home, such as a hairdryer or coffee maker, without having to go and buy specific ones for campers that work on 12v and which cost a lot.
Furthermore, the combination of inverters and lithium batteries will allow you to have a fast charge and discharge and to use high-absorption 220v appliances, such as a stove for the winter or an air conditioner for the summer, while you are traveling.
Inverter for campers: power and types
If you are also looking for an inverter on rv or camper, there are different types of inverters and other powers! We start from a minimum of 300W to a maximum of 2000W.
To understand which one is right for you, we should calculate the maximum absorption peak you can have simultaneously and estimate at least 30% more regarding cues, emergencies, and losses.
Surely you can’t go wrong with the 2kW one, both in size and functionality.
Then there are various types of inverters to understand: square wave, sine wave, and pure wave. Let’s see them together!
Square wave inverter
They are the least used inverters because they don’t have many applications. This type of inverter can run some essential appliances, but you have to be careful because if you don’t adapt your accessories, you could ruin them.
By now, almost all household appliances or accessories are built for use with the sine wave.
Modified sine wave inverter
It is a non-rectified wave. That is, it is not continuous. This type of inverter is not well suited to induction appliances (i.e., appliances with a motor that rotates) such as hair dryers, coffee machines, and drills.
Pure sine wave inverter
The pure wave inverter is a type of inverter that always keeps the current constant at 220v (which does not always happen with other types of inverters) and is the most used, therefore recommended, ever.
All electronic devices work best with this type of inverter precisely because they are designed to work with the pure wave.
Furthermore, this type of inverter has a primary input. When you connect to the campsite network, for example, the inverter automatically disconnects and makes all our appliances work through the network you are connected to.
Pure wave inverters have an ignition peak that reaches about 4000Watt for a maximum of 10 seconds, then settles down to 2000Watt continuously (without the mountain, the ignition of some household appliances could cause the inverter to go into protection leading to its shutdown ).
Motorhome inverter: do it yourself
If you want to assemble your inverter, you can do it without problems. Make sure you respect the dimensions of the cable between the battery and the inverter and that there is suitable ventilation where you would like to install your inverter.
In addition to these two precautions, you must follow the assembly instructions when purchasing the inverter because the accessory is already equipped with all the functions.
