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Upgrading your RV battery will improve your quality of life while in your RV. This is 10x more important when boondocking but even those who move from campground to campground will see the benefits of having maintenance-free batteries that don’t need any special attention when storing the RV.
Why You Need a Deep Cycle Battery for Your RV
When deciding on the proper battery for your motorhome or travel trailer, you need to consider how it will be used. Are you replacing the battery that starts your engine, usually referred to as a “chassis” battery?
If so, you will be looking for a battery that has a high number of Cold Cranking Amps (CCA). This term defines the number of amps a battery can produce at 0 degrees F for 30 seconds, without dropping below 7.2 volts. In other words, you want a battery that can turn over quickly, even in cold temperatures.
Replacing a battery for your coach requires different parameters. These batteries are called “house” or “coach” batteries and are useful for long-term applications like running the lights or furnace in your RV.
For that reason, they are built with much thicker plates and are designed to be used over long periods of time, discharging them quite a bit. That means they also have to be recharged repeatedly, creating a cycle. This process gives house batteries the nickname of “deep cycle” batteries.
You don’t need to worry about how many CCA a house battery has. Rather, look for the number of Amp Hours (Ah) on the battery. This will tell you approximately how long you can utilize the power from a battery, depending upon how many amps you are pulling in your RV.
These house batteries should also have a Reserve Capacity (RC) listing, signifying how many minutes a battery can deliver 25 amps of current before falling below 10.5 volts. With both of these figures, a larger number is a better option.
Battery Material Types
One more consideration when looking at house batteries is the material used in the battery.
At this time, lithium is the best option but is quite a bit more expensive up front, but it lasts a lot longer than the other materials so is cheaper in the long run. However, a drawback with lithium batteries is that they do not perform well in very cold temperatures.
One step down from lithium is an Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) battery. These batteries are maintenance-free lead-acid batteries, using a fiberglass mat to absorb sulphuric acid. They handle cold temperatures well and usually have a longer life than their less expensive counterpart, the lead-acid battery.
A lead acid battery is the least expensive option for a house battery but requires the user to top off distilled water in the cells every couple of months. They, too, can be recharged numerous times, but sometimes have a shorter life than AGMs and lithium batteries.
Battery Sizes
One final item to decide upon when selecting house batteries is size. Deep cycle batteries for RVs usually come in two different sizes: 6 volts and 12 volts.
Both sizes can be used in a grouping, whether wired in parallel or as a series, but 6-volt batteries have thicker plates, giving them a bigger cycling capacity (longer life).
They do require two 6-volt batteries wired in series to get to the standard 12-volt RV application though.
Best RV House Batteries
Best Lithium RV Battery
Battle Born Batteries offers a full line of lithium-ion batteries. Whether you simply want a drop-in replacement for your current battery or want a reliable off-grid system for some serious boondocking, they have you covered. We've used and abused our Battle Born Batteries for years and can confidently say lead is dead.
Battle Born Batteries is our top pick for the best lithium RV battery. It has a 100 Ah capacity and an average lifespan of 3000 to 5000 cycles. Battle Born Batteries also come with a 10-year warranty so you will not need to worry about it for a decade.
The company support is best in class and is one of the many reasons we own Battle Born Batteries.
Check out our consultation video with the CEO / COO of Battle Born Batteries.
Best AGM RV Battery
- UB121000 SLA is a 12V 100AH Group 30H Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) Maintenance Free Rechargeable Battery, UL Listed
- The spill-proof SLA/AGM battery features high discharge rate, wide operating temperatures, long life and deep discharge...
Universal Power UB121000 is our top pick for the best RV AGM batteries. With a total capacity of 100 Ah (~50 Ah useable), these are a great pick to power your RV with little to no maintenance. They have an average lifespan of 600 cycles and a 1-year warranty.
Best 6-volt RV Battery
- Special Delivery Note: These golf cart / industrial batteries will arrive on a pallet via truck freight (semi-trucks)...
- Please make sure your contact email and phone number registered with your Amazon account is current. The carrier will...
Trojan Battery is the top name in the game of 6-volt batteries. They must be purchased in pairs to work in your RV at 12 volts. These batteries in pairs have a 225 Ah capacity with 125 Ah useable. Since they have thicker lead plates they are good for around 1200 cycles and come with an 18-month warranty.
Best Lead Acid RV Battery
- BATTERY SPECS: 12-Volt, 750 Cold Cranking Amps, Size: 10.06" Length x 6.88" Wide x 7.94" Tall, Weight: 43.5 pounds, Dual...
- RESERVE CAPACITY of 120 minutes for constant performance. Faster charging capabilities.
Optima Blue Top Batteries are the best RV lead acid battery to use. They have a capacity of 55 Ah (27.5 Ah useable) but are estimated to last around 400 cycles. They come with a great (for lead-acid) warranty of 24 months.
Best Budget RV Battery
![ExpertPower 12v 33ah Rechargeable Deep Cycle Battery [EXP1233 ]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31eYTwHWf2L.jpg)
- Genuine ExpertPower Battery - The Most Trusted And Highest Reviewed Sealed Lead Acid Batteries On Amazon
- Battery Type - 12 Volt 33Amp/10 Hour Sealed Lead Acid Battery
ExpertPower EXP12330 is a great option for those who are looking for a budget option. They are AGM batteries which means no maintenance and have a capacity of 33 Ah (16.5 useable). They last around 200 cycles and come with a 1-year warranty.
Last update on 2024-12-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Right now I have OEM Interstate SRM-24 as house battery. Not Boondocking now, occasional overnight. Questions:
1. Advantages to putting 2 new batteries in.
2. Series vs Parallel
3. Should I replace charger too? If so, do you have post on best for types batteries?
4. Article on best basic etc battery monitoring system.
Two 6 volt batteries with 225Ah each only results in a total of 225 Ah when connected together in parallel to obtain 12 volts. This results in 112.5 Ah available, since lead acid batteries should not be discharged below 50%.
Incorrect, first you don’t connect them in parallel… they have to be in series to provide 12 volts to the system and you
effectively get a doubling of the AH due to the Series connection. You shouldn’t be commenting if you don’t understand the basics.
Please check as my understanding is when you put 2 – 6 volt batteries in series to get 12 vdc, you do not add AmpHr’s. The way your article is written would imply the AmpHrs add.
i.e. 2-6vdc w/ 225 AmpHrs each, will give you 12 vdc but still only 225 AmpHrs.
This is the best article about Best RV House Batteries that ever read before. I found a lot of information from your article.
Thanks for sharing such an informative article.
Hopefully, waiting for your more article in the future.
Hi i have a vintage 13 ft travel trailer my trailer has a single 12 volt battery it`s old doen`t hold a charge any more most of the time i`ll be pluged in to 110 . but some times it`s no avalble. My ? is whats a good single battery i can use . I have a charging system in my traiter for 110 to 12volts