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The Best RV Deep Cycle Batteries in 2023

Specific Reviews, Comparison, & Buying Guide

RV batteries are essentially any batteries that are compatible with the electrical systems of an RV and able to meet the needs of the recreational vehicle’s owner. RV batteries are often called “house batteries”. All RV batteries are “deep cycle” batteries, capable of being drawn down to nearly nothing before being fully charged again. And the best RV deep cycle batteries can be partially charged again and again without the chemical memory resetting such that you can’t fully charge it again, a problem many encounter when they let their smartphone partially or completely discharge too often. 

Top 3 Best RV Batteries (Deep Cycle) - Comparison


Here are the Top 13 Best RV Deep Cycle Battery Full Reviews

We value product reviews because they give us information that the ads won’t share. Then there’s the fact that they often come from people like us, those looking for RV deep cycle batteries that power our devices while we’re on the road.

Here are 13+ top deep cycle battery reviews we’ve found, covering a variety of RV batteries because we know that not everyone needs the same thing out of a deep cycle battery.

01) VMAXTANKS 6 Volt 225Ah AGM Battery

Editor Rating: 4.5/5

This battery recharges quickly and delivers a steady trickle of energy. That’s a known benefit of AGM batteries, but the Vmaxtanks battery is even better than average. It's not only reason for being the best AGM battery, there is more than you think. 

As with all AGM batteries, take care to use a compatible charger whether you’re charging off a generator or PV system

These are good, basic and affordable batteries for charging based on a camping PV system to run your lights and one or two small appliances at night. 

This is an AGM battery; you don’t have to worry about acid leaks or maintenance requirements. They are lighter than lead acid batteries with the same capacity.

These batteries have a reputation for lasting a year, just past the warranty date, and then dying. They’ll start losing the charge quickly and then stop altogether. That has been reported even when the battery wasn’t allowed to fully discharge and kept above the 50% threshold.

It is difficult to get the manufacturer to honor the warranty when the battery fails. Even if the battery is nearly new, you may have challenges trying to return it. If you are able to return it, you’ll typically be offered another similar battery, not a refund. 

02) Battle Born LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery - 100Ah 12v GC2 + Built-In BMS - 3000-5000 Deep Cycle Rechargeable Battery

Editor Rating: 4.4/5

If you want to be able to discharge and recharge endlessly, whether you’re charging from a car battery or generator or PV system, this battery is rated for a minimum of 3000 cycles and often lasts 5000 cycles. 

The company provides a three year full replacement warranty. The Battle Born battery accepts charges between 14.4 and 14.6 volts, and for those who want to use sensitive electronics with it, 

you’ll appreciate the fact that it delivers a similar, steady power stream. It won’t fry your electronics due to distorted power harmonics. 

The battery is able to provide brief surges of power for startup, though it isn’t a starter battery per se. It only weighs 30 pounds. This is half the weight of comparable AGM batteries and even less than a lead acid battery.

The biggest issue with this battery is the price. It is expensive. It is only worth it if the weight or operating life is a critical factor for you.

03) Trojan T-105 Flooded Deep Cycle Battery

Editor Rating: 4.2/5

It is compact. This is a major plus, since you could take and store two or more with you in case you need extra power or want to take a spare with you.

With proper care, this house battery can last seven years. That provides peace of mind relative to a house battery that may last a year or two.

Chronically undercharge it or overcharge it, and you’ll shorten the expected operating life dramatically. Right-size your PV panels, if you’re using solar, to avoid problems. 

This golf cart battery is designed to be straightforward to install and remove, and it is easy move and store. 

The battery provides 225 amp hours for twenty hours. In short, this house battery can run a full day on a single charge. It’s expensive. That’s enough to strike it off the list for many potential buyers. This battery is very heavy. 

04) Optima BlueTop Starting and Deep Cycle Battery

Editor Rating: 4.3/5

The Optima deep cycle battery can serve as a starting battery as well as a house battery. This battery is very tolerant of temperature extremes.

If you’re going to be camping in the hot desert or cold winter, you’ll appreciate this battery’s ability to keep going regardless of the weather extremes. 

This Optima battery resists vibration far better than average. That makes it ideal for hikers or powering toys like boats and ATVs. It is often used as a boat battery. 

It's an ultra-safe battery. It has no acid, so it won’t leak acid and there’s no need to check water levels. Without these, It can be mounted at any angle, and if you drop it, you’re not going to risk a toxic chemical spill. 

The company delivers terrible service if you need technical support or need to return it under the warranty.  While this type of battery doesn’t overheat like the lithium batteries used in laptops, the terminals themselves tend to overheat on this battery. This could melt the plastic top.

These are not only reasons why we listed it in the best choices but It has many more advantages on the manufacturer website and amazon. Before purchase, you should read more there.

05) XS Power Battery 1360 Cranking Amps 12 V D-Series AGM Battery 

Editor Rating: 4.2/5

This AGM battery brings with it all the advantages of an absorbed glass mat battery. The electrolyte can’t leak, it won’t spill, you don’t need to add water,

and the valve regulator lets out the little hydrogen gas that does need to escape to maintain pressure. 

You can mount it in almost any position. Its excellent vibration resistance makes it safe to use for dirt bikes, race boats, dune buggies and RVs.

As a side benefit, its output is perfect for powering a four thousand to five thousand watt car sound system. It holds its voltage well.

The warranty is typically only good for a month. If it dies after that point, the manufacturer will make you jump through hoops. If you need to return it, the manufacturer may require you to pay to ship it, and this is a heavy.

06) Lifeline GPL-4CT 6-Volt 220Ah AGM Deep Cycle Battery

Lifeline GPL-4CT 6-Volt 220Ah AGM Deep Cycle Battery Opt

Editor Rating: 4.1/5

This battery allows you to support low amperage applications for a very long time. It is affordable given its capacity and It lasts a long time in storage.

Also, It has a very low discharge rate when in storage. 

These are rugged batteries designed to meet Coast Guard and U.S. military specifications. It is suitable for marine applications and can be used as a house battery.

If you want a battery that will take the use and abuse of whatever you throw at it, the Lifeline GPL-4CT is the best choice for you.

Be careful of the charging requirements. Good luck finding a replacement if you’re out on the road

07) Amstron GC2 6V AGM Golf Cart, Marine, RV Battery

Editor Rating: 4.2/5

This is one of the most affordable AGM batteries on this list. Like other AGM batteries, it is a no maintenance battery.

Without that, It generates very little heat when charging or recharging.

There’s no fire hazard with this battery as long as you have the right cables and don’t overcharge it.

The Amstron RV battery has a decent two year manufacturer warranty. It works well in a variety of applications.

As known, It is suitable for use on aircraft, boats and golf carts. Also, It is often used in RVs.

When this battery starts to run down, its performance drops off significantly. If you get a battery that does this, its performance is far less than cheaper batteries. 

08) Carmanah CMH-AGM-100 RV Deep Cycle Battery

Editor Rating: 4.3/5

This battery has a decent cost to power ratio. It can deliver 110 amps for 100 hours. If it is putting out 105 amp hours, it lasts 20 hours.

It has built-in carry handles making it easy to transport to off-grid locations, such as when you want to take it camping.

The Carmanah CHM-AGM is maintenance free. It can quickly charge from solar cells, and it can work with the best RV inverters.

As the great, It is designed to support off the grid applications. Finding this battery when you want an exact replacement can be a challenge. 

While their promised performance is great, sometimes people get duds that don’t deliver anything close to that. And when this happens, it is difficult to get a replacement from the manufacturer.

09) NPP 6V 200 Amp AGM Deep Cycle Camper Golf Cart Battery

Editor Rating: 4.3/5

This battery at first seems middle of the pack in terms of price. It isn’t the cheapest, but it is far from the most expensive.

However, when you realize you’re getting two batteries for this price, you realize what a great deal it is.

The NPP battery allows you to use one battery to run the lights while you put another in a golf cart or run one of your run-about toys.

Or you can use one to power ham radio equipment or navigation equipment out in the wilderness while those back at camp have another just like it to run basic electronics.

This battery resists shock, vibration and temperature extremes.

Some batteries drain much faster than expected. This is especially true if you’re using the batteries day after day or drawing on them heavily with each cycle. Be careful of how you charge them and avoid letting them discharge entirely.

10) Renogy RNG-BATT-GEL12-100 Deep Cycle Pure Gel Battery

Editor Rating: 4.2/5

The Renogy RV batteries are incredibly durable. They won’t leak electrolyte or gases. There’s no explosion risk or potential mess if you drop it.

These batteries are valve regulated, letting the very small amounts of hydrogen gas escape when necessary.

However, they have a very low self-discharge ratio. They’ll last a very long time before going bad. 

These Deep Cycle Pure Gel batteries have a very stable charging and floating voltage.  It's good for more than a thousand cycles.

This allows you to reasonably expect it to last three years if you’re charging and discharging it daily. 

The Renogy batteries are stable over a wide range of temperatures. This particular battery is good to temperatures as low as 25°C. If you want to know that the battery will still run when it is well below freezing, this is the one you want to own. This battery also works if temperatures hit 45°C.

This is another hard-to-find battery. If you really like it, you’ll want to stock up when you find it. It's one of the heavier batteries on our list, and it doesn’t have added features like a carry handle to make handling them any easier. 

11) WindyNation 100 Amp–Hour 12 Volt AGM Deep Cycle Battery 

Editor Rating: 4.4/5

The WindyNation is designed to work almost as well when it is almost completely depleted as when it is fully charged.

You can fully charge and nearly fully discharge it repeatedly without worrying about the battery’s “memory” resetting so that it can only be partially recharged in the future.

The battery life is estimated to be ten years, assuming it is properly maintained. 

As a sealed lead acid battery, it needs minimal maintenance. It is also appropriate for use in locations where you must have a spill-proof battery. This is a long-discharge battery.

Because it is designed for nearly any application, it will operate unless you literally have the battery upside down. This battery is versatile. You can use it to run amateur radio equipment, power equipment, RVs, boats, golf carts and industrial applications.

It's also suitable for renewable power storage, capturing energy from wind turbines and solar panels. It will last a long time despite repeated charge and discharge cycles. 

A minor inconvenience is the short hub terminals. That makes it harder to connect to everything else. You can use wire up to 4 AWG with it. A 2/0 AWG interconnect is included with the battery. 

12) Weize Brand 12V 100AH Deep Cycle AGM Battery

Editor Rating: 4.7/5

This is a sealed lead acid 12 volt battery capable of delivering 100 amp hours. You can combine them in series or parallel to create 24 and 48 volt battery arrays.

Its design minimizes the opportunity for spilled acid and the need to check and maintain water / acid levels. The manufacturer advertises it as maintenance free.

As an AGM battery, it is denser and thus smaller than competing batteries. You can use it on electric scooters and golf carts as well as using it to store power from your solar panels. Or use it to power the kids’ electric toy car.

As a deep cycle battery, it will last longer than a starter battery or regular battery. It will deliver more power longer, too, because it can be nearly completely discharged. 

Note that this means you’ll have to take care to fully charge it to avoid a chemical reset that prevents it from fully charging in the future. And extremely deep discharges over and over again can cause that same problem, too.

It is rugged enough to take camping or sit in an RV storage compartment. It could be used on boats or sit in a semi-protected shed at an off-the-grid cabin. This is best AGM battery for those who want to be able to use the battery anywhere.

An occasional complaint about these batteries is that Weize stops making certain models, potentially preventing you from getting a direct replacement.s

A common issue is that the dimensions provided are not always exactly correct, and when a battery is an inch too wide or long, it may not fit where you need it.

Replacement batteries from the manufacturer may not have posts exactly where the old ones were.

Pros
  • Can power your RV and toys
  • The ability to deeply discharge it
Cons
  • Uncertain supply of replacement parts
  • Uncertain dimensions

13) Universal Power Group Model 45978 12V 100Ah VRLA Battery

Editor Rating: 4.6/5

This 12 volt 100 amp hours deep cycle battery is SLA/AGM. That makes it almost as dense as possible for a lead acid battery.

That results in a compact, powerful battery. It is roughly 12 inches by 6 inches by 9 inches, though it weighs just over 60 pounds.

The compact size makes it an excellent choice for renewable power battery banks or RVers. It can also be used to power gadgets and toys. This is the best RV deep cycle battery for all-purpose use.

This battery can be mounted in any position. Mount it sideways in your battery bank or mount it wherever it fits in the kid’s toy car. 

It is vibration resistant and impact resistant, so it won’t fail because you let it run Mom’s scooter or dropped it installing it in the RV.  It is maintenance proof, so there is no need to add water or check electrolyte levels.

One problem with this model is the chemical memory. If you deep cycle it and let it sit near a discharged state, it may not ever recharge again. It may not get above 20 percent again if you let it discharge down and stay that way.

The solution is to keep it fully charged, and protect it with a tickle charger. If you do fully discharge it, make fully recharging it a priority.

Sometimes the batteries cannot fully charge because they sat in storage at the manufacturer or distributor’s warehouse too long.

Pros
  • Mount in any direction you want
  • Deep discharge and recharging
Cons
  • Issues with chemical memory

14) ExpertPower Brand 12V 100Ah Agm Sealed Lead Acid Battery

Editor Rating: 4.1/5

You get a single lead acid battery with 100 amp hours of power at 12 volts. Note that this is not a deep cycle battery, so avoid fully discharging it.

The sealed battery is safe to use as long as it doesn’t literally freeze or overheat. The AGM battery has an unusually wide operating temperature range and goes much further than conventional lead acid batteries. The battery is more vibration resistant and rugged than average.

It is small enough to be used on mobility scooters, RV battery banks, and UPS systems. At 63 pounds, it is better than the average battery for applications where weight will literally slow you down. 

The ExpertPower battery will fit in most battery boxes. It can also be used with solar panels to collect power. Or put it in the shed to power security systems and invisible dog fences.

One minor issue is the exposed connectors. These need to be protected against shorts. One side benefit of the design is that they are clearly identified by the red and silver color scheme so you know which is which.

These batteries almost always last a year of heavy usage but don’t always last two. Either buy this for a specific low-demand application or expect to replace it every 12 to 24 months.

Pros
  • Durable and rugged
  • Maintenance free
  • Works in almost everything
Cons
  • Shorter than average operating life

What is the Best Deep Cycle Battery?

RV batteries are by necessity deep cycle batteries. They provide a steady and significant amount of current over an extended period of time. Starting batteries provide that initial high load when you start up the engine, but they can’t provide the sustained draw down RV batteries can unless you’re willing to risk them not recharging and being able to repeat the performance.

Marine batteries are deep cycle batteries, but when they are used to prevent rust on a boat, they’re releasing a slow trickle of energy over a long time. While they can be recharged and repeat the process, they’re not designed for the heavier demand RV batteries can support. This is why you need the best deep cycle battery to run an RV.

The deep cycle battery will let you power not only appliances but high-demand electronics like smart phones and laptops at the same time. 

best rv deep cycle battery

Types of Deep Cycle Batteries

01) AGM Deep Cycle Batteries 

AGM stands for Absorbent Glass Mat. In all AGM batteries, the glass matt provides the internal structure of the battery. The glass mat supports the plates, too, making the battery more resistant to vibration. 

Because of this, the plates can be made from a purer lead. This gives AGM batteries a better power to weight ratio or greater power density.

In short, they’re as powerful as traditional batteries but at less weight, something you need in an RV. Another benefit of AGM batteries is their greater ability to be heavily drained and discharged.

A side benefit of the design is the fact you don’t have to add water to them, something RVers value since they often want to take the RV dry camping. 

what does agm battery mean

Another benefit is that they can be mounted in any position. The low maintenance and high durability comes at a high cost, literally. AGM batteries can cost up to twice as much as traditional lead acid batteries. But what are the different types of RV deep cycle batteries?

AGM Deep Cycle Batteries Types

All AGM batteries consist of lead plates suspended in glass mat material, the AGM. The main difference is their design. The best battery for you will depend on your budget and your needs.

Operational requirements should take precedence over the cost, though, since the alternative for many RV owners is carrying around a generator and extra fuel if they can’t run things off the battery.

A) Flat Plate AGM Batteries

Flat plate AGM batteries look like flooded acid batteries. Most flat plate AGM batteries contain six sets of plates.

The electrolyte inside is laid out in a straight line inside the battery. The fact that the plates are compressed in rows gives it more capacity;

it can provide more power when necessary like a starter battery though it isn’t a starter battery per se. The plate’s compressed design gives it a longer operating life, as well. 

The benefit of flat plate AGM batteries is that they are more powerful than a similarly sized spiral AGM battery.

The downside is that they’re denser and thus heavier.

best deep cycle battery
B) Spiral AGM Batteries

Spiral plate AGMs are sometimes called tubular AGMs. The spiral-wound cells are manufactured to tight specifications so that the plates don’t touch. These batteries have a faster recharge time and longer life expectancy than the flat “plate” batteries.

This is important if you want to be able to recharge the battery as quickly as possible from the RV’s motor so you can plug in your electronics and know that you can continue to do so season after season.

The main downside of this design is the higher upfront cost of spiral plate AGM batteries.

This is due to the fact that they have to manufactured according to precise dimensions and using virgin materials. 

best rv house battery
How Does an AGM Battery Work?

Lead acid batteries consist of lead plates surrounded in a liquid acid solution. The power is produced by oxidizing the lead plates. When the battery is recharged, the process is reversed.

An AGM battery replaces the liquid acid with a solid gel electrolyte. Now there’s no risk of hydrogen gas created during the recharge cycle escaping and creating a fire hazard or needing to be replaced by adding water to the battery.

The trace hydrogen that may be released may be let out through a valve regulator. This is why AGM batteries are generally classified as valve-regulated lead-acid batteries. 

how long will a 100 amp hour battery last

The plates in an AGM battery may be parallel to each other and resemble standard lead-acid batteries or they may be wound in a spiral pattern to minimize the space the battery takes up.

Advantages of AGM Batteries
  • One of the clear benefits of AGM RV batteries is their near-lack of maintenance. You don’t have to add water to them, something that can be a serious challenge if you’re stuck on the side of the road or dry camping.
  • AGM batteries hold their charge far better than lead acid batteries if you aren’t using your equipment daily. And AGM batteries are better than nearly all the alternatives if you are going to draw it down to nothing before regarding.
  • AGM batteries hold their charge far better than lead acid batteries if you aren’t using your equipment daily. And AGM batteries are better than nearly all the alternatives if you are going to draw it down to nothing before regarding.
  • The electrolyte can still heat up and expand during recharging, but AGM batteries typically have a valve regulator to let out that modest pressure without creating a risk to the operator. In fact, most designs are so stable that they won’t even leak acid if the battery housing is cut open.

You can improve the battery’s life by connecting it to a solar charger or other charging port during the “off” season instead of just leaving it in storage. Compare this to the ability to discharge a lead acid battery up to 80%, though you may not be able to fully recharge it afterward.

Downsides of AGM Batteries
  • One of the disadvantages of AGM batteries is that you can only partially discharge them. In most cases, an AGM battery will deliver its best lifetime performance if it isn’t allowed to fall below 50%. If you don’t discharge them to less than 60%, they’ll often run for more than 300 discharge/recharge cycles.
  • The downside of lead acid batteries is that hydrogen can escape from the battery before it can be converted back to water, requiring water to be added back to the battery. The lead acid battery’s hydrogen gas can build up and create a flammable hazard, as well. A clear point in favor of AGM batteries is eliminating these risks. Then there’s the fact you can’t spill the acid out on accident.
  • A downside of AGM batteries is the fact that if you overcharge it, you’ll certainly shorten its life and may kill it. You need more voltage to charge them than you would lead acid batteries, and this may necessitate replacing the RV charger before you can recharge the AGM battery properly. This adds to the cost of switching to them.

AGM batteries remain operational at very low temperatures without freezing. That’s because they don’t have liquid water in them.

A good charger will let you use the same AGM battery for four to six years, whereas a bad one will force you to replace the batteries every year. The biggest disadvantage of AGM batteries, however, is their cost.

02) Gel Deep Cycle Batteries 

The original gel cell batteries appeared in the 1930s. The gel cells were used in portable electronics because they were less likely to leak than their counterparts.

Gel batteries are similar to AGM batteries but not quite the same thing. AGM batteries are classified as wet cell batteries, whereas the electrolyte in gel cell batteries is stiff.

How Does a Gel Battery Work?
how to bring a deep cycle battery back to life

Gel batteries are similar to lead acid batteries except for their gelified electrolyte; silica is added to the electrolyte to make it literally stiff. In many gel batteries, the sulfuric acid is mixed with fumed silica to keep the acid (and any hydrogen gas generated) solidly in place.

Aside from the fact that the electrolyte is essentially solid, it behaves the same as the liquid electrolyte when it interacts with the lead plates. The lead plates in gel batteries are very similar except the antimony you find in most flooded batteries' lead plates is typically replaced with calcium.

Gel Deep Cycle Battery Usable Capacity
Advantages of Gel Batteries
  • Benefits of gel RV batteries include the fact that they can't spill, won't need water added, and can be stored or installed at any angle. They're less prone to temperature shock; sitting near a campfire won't make it explode.
  • They're more resistant to vibration and physical shock; you're not going to create a toxic, dangerous mess if you drop a gel battery.
Downside of Gel Batteries
  • Gel batteries deliver exceptional performance is you're dealing with very deep cycle applications. They last longer than AGM batteries in very hot conditions.

03) Flooded Lead Acid Batteries

Flooded lead acid deep cycle batteries are a variation of the traditional wet or "flooded" batteries. The "flooded lead acid deep cycle battery" is designed to be regularly and nearly completely discharged of most of its capacity. It's another good type of the best RV batteries for using on trailer/camper. 

How Does a Flooded Lead Acid Battery Work?

Flooded lead acid batteries generate power as the sulfuric acid acts with the lead plates. As lead sulfate is formed, the battery releases energy. Recharging the battery reverses the chemical reaction.

"Starting" flooded lead acid batteries differ from "deep cycle" batteries by having thinner and often more numerous plates so they can generate a lot of energy quickly, whereas deep cycle batteries don't produce as much power in one burst but generate more power steadily over a long period of time.

best deep cycle marine battery
Advantages of Flooded Lead Acid Batteries
  • One benefit of these batteries is their low cost. Another benefit is the fact that they can last for years if properly maintained. Then there's the fact that lead acid batteries can be discharged to nearly nothing; this is why flooded lead acid batteries are often used in power backup systems and by utilities. While these batteries are heavy and have a relatively low energy to volume ratio, they have a high power-to-weight ratio. 
  • These batteries can produce the high currents needed to start car motors and other demanding applications. These batteries are quite reliable, as well An obvious benefit of these batteries is that they're everywhere; if you need a new one, you can find it at the local car parts store If you have an exotic battery, good luck finding a replacement in the middle of nowhere.
Downsides of Flooded Lead Acid Batteries
  • The obvious "cons" of flooded lead acid batteries are the safety risks they pos. You could spill acid when you're handling the battery, and that risk is only heightened when you open it to add water. You have to be careful of leaks and must be careful of how the battery is stored.
  • Another downside of these batteries is the fact that the free liquid levels need to be monitored and maintained. The liquid itself creates issues for these batteries at both very high and very low temperatures. Flooded lead acid batteries can literally freeze, rendering them useless, and their electrolyte could evaporate at a greater rate during warm weather.

04) LiFePO4 Lithium-Ion Batteries 

The LiFePO4 Lithium-Ion battery or lithium iron phosphate battery is sometimes called an LFP battery. This type of battery is a lithium ion battery. While most lithium ion batteries are not rechargeable, LFP batteries are They're safer than most lithium ion batteries, as well.

How Does a LiFePO4 Lithium-ion Battery Work?

The LiFePO4 battery uses LiFePO4 as a cathode. The anode is a graphitic carbon electrode. This is a variation of the lithium ion batteries that power your laptops and other electronics, but these batteries aren't subject to the same thermal runaway event.

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Advantages of Lithium-ion RV Batteries

These lithium ion batteries have a far greater number of recharging cycles than other battery chemistries. This makes LiFePO4 batteries ideal if you're going to be constantly charging and discharging it, such as when you're on and off the grid during the day, recharging from the RV's engine as you drive.

  • A side benefit of their design is that they recharge much faster than most other batteries. They have a higher discharge rate, as well; if you want to be able to power multiple high end electronic devices off of the RV battery, a LiFePO4 battery is your better choice.
  • Another point in favor of these batteries in their "clean" power; they put out rather constant voltage instead of the fluctuating power that could burn out sensitive electronics.
  • The batteries themselves are probably more environmentally friendly than lead acid batteries. Nor will they see the deteriorated performance if you discharge them deeply.
  • These batteries can discharge to 20% without long term damage, while lead acid batteries including AGM ones could start to deteriorate if discharged below 50%.

They don't overheat the way standard lithium-ion batteries could, so there's no fire risk from the batteries just because you used them. They're even more vibration and shock resistant than AGM batteries.

Downsides of Lithium-ion Batteries
  • What's the downside? Cost, and the cost differential is far greater than with the gel and AGM batteries we mentioned before.
  • AGM and gel batteries could cost up to twice as much as standard lead acid batteries. When it comes to LiFePO4 batteries, they cost three to ten times as much as a deep cycle lead acid battery.
  • Another downside is the fact that they're very susceptible to damage if overcharged; you have to use a charger designed specifically for these batteries.

05) Valve Regulated Lead Acid Batteries

By definition, Valve Regulated Lead Acid batteries or VRLA batteries have a small valve to automatically let out hydrogen gas that can build up inside of a battery. This won’t prevent all potential explosions, but it reduces the risk significantly.

These valves are typically found on maintenance-free batteries that don’t let you add water to it.

The battery has an indicator on it to tell you when it is out of water (its source of hydrogen) and needs to be replaced altogether.

How Does a Valve Regulate Lead Acid Battery Work?

These closed lead acid batteries work like standard lead acid batteries. However, they're designed to minimize electrolyte loss.

They promise to be maintenance free; you don't have to check electrolyte levels or add water. However, since they can generate hydrogen gas that builds up inside the battery,

what battery do i need

 they have a valve to regulate the pressure and let small amounts of gas out as necessary. The end result is a low-maintenance lead acid battery with all of the advantages and fewer disadvantages as standard lead acid batteries. 

Advantages of Lead Acid Batteries
  • The biggest "pro" for these batteries is nearly eliminating the maintenance hassles that come with conventional lead acid batteries. You don't have to add water to them, and they're much less likely to leak.
  • They Costa little more than standard lead acid batteries, but they're much cheaper than other batteries on this list. You'll be able to find them nearly anywhere. They're still sensitive to high and low temperatures.

Things to Consider for Buying the Right RV Deep Cycle Battery

01) Purpose of Using the RV Battery

All batteries exist to provide power The key issue here is what you're planning on using the battery for Is it going to provide power for a few small devices or run the equivalent to a small house's worth of appliances? You need a battery that delivers the power levels you need for an extended period of time, first and foremost.

For example, if you're going to be using an RV batter to power sensitive electronics like smart phones and laptops, voltage fluctuations could ruin the electronics. Paying somewhat more for a battery that puts out "clean" power saves you from having to replace laptops and your big screen TV.

The best deep cycle battery literally powers your lifestyle with minimal effort, cost, and disruption.

02) Battery's Weight and Size

RV owners know that they have limited space A cutting edge battery that delivers a lot of power doesn't matter if it won't fit in the RV's storage compartment or connect with the existing electrical system.

Given the issues RVs already have with fuel economy, many RV owners would be willing to pay a little more for lighter batteries knowing it translates to lower fuel bills for as long as they own the batteries.

03) Battery Capacity and Charging Time

How much power can the battery hold doesn't matter as much as purpose, since you can find batteries with lower capacity that can discharge more of that power than a higher capacity battery that can only release half its energy.

Charging time matters when you may only be running the motor so long and want to make sure the battery recharges during that time Charging time also matters if you want to guarantee that the battery tops off for the few hours you're plugged in at a campsite.

04) Storing The RV Battery

The battery's ability to maintain a charge over an extended period of time impacts which one is right for you If you want a battery you can stick on a shelf for months knowing it will probably work when you drop it back in,

lead acid batteries or a more expensive alternative with similarly good energy storage capability is essential. 

what is battery reserve capacity

05) Learn about Technology behind the RV Battery

You need to learn the technology behind the best RV house battery before you buy it. For example, you need to know which RV batteries will freeze up when you're staying in a winter mountain campsite or die on exposure to the Arizona summer sun.

Understand the supporting hardware, since buying a particular type of battery may necessitate buying different chargers than what your RV already has.

06) Life Span and Reliability

Lifespan matters if you're comparing batteries of similar price; the batteries that last longer will save you money over the years because you don't have to buy as many of them over a lifetime.

More reliable batteries save you from the horror stories, such as not having the battery die at the worst possible time A reliable high tech battery is less likely to leave you desperately searching for a replacement over one that isn't reliable.

07) Depth of Discharge

Depth of discharge matters when you may not be able to recharge it for a long time It matters when you want to have fewer batteries that you can draw down further instead of a larger number or larger batteries to meet the same power needs.

RV Battery Voltages VS State of Charge

08) Voltage (6v/ 12v/ 24v/ 48v)

Batteries need to be able to provide the same power as what your tools and appliances consume Power at the wrong voltage or amperage simply won't work.

Other Considerations

Safety concerns shouldn't be overlooked. Someone with limited mobility may appreciate a battery that can't spill acid on them as they swap it out Households with children and pets may want batteries that can't spill acid when the battery is tipped over or dropped.

Batteries that won't catch fire or cannot explode when overheated or over-charged are certainly a bonus.

Important FAQS about Deep Cycle Batteries 

01) What Is a 6-Volt Golf Cart Battery?

Golf cart batteries are simply those designed to connect to the average golf cart, though they can be used as a power source in other applications. A pair of these batteries, for example, could be used to store power from a photovoltaic system.

The best 6 volt golf course battery puts out 6 volts. You can find 6 volt golf cart battery models that are AGM batteries, gel batteries and flooded lead acid batteries.

Features of 6-Volt Golf Cart

Six volt batteries typically have thicker plates than 12-volt batteries. One of the benefits of these batteries is their low cost. You can wire them in series or parallel.

Several 6-volt batteries connected together correctly will give you 12 volts of power and twice as many amp hours as a 12-volt battery.

Golf cart batteries are designed to handle vibration and impact.

how long will a deep cycle battery last

They're made to be easy to install and connect. Their smaller side makes them easy to carry and store The fact that you can replace one or both versus trying to find a replacement for a bad 12 volt battery can be a plus.

02) What Is a 12-Volt Deep Cycle Battery?

Twelve-volt batteries have enough power to work as starting batteries for golf carts and a few other applications. They're designed with thinner plates to put out more power when the demand is high but can provide a constant source of power as well Most of these batteries are flooded lead acid batteries and VRLA batteries.

Features of 12-Volt Deep Cycle Battery

Many 12-volt deep cycle batteries are designed to be multi-purpose. This is why they're often called "house batteries" for many RVers. The higher voltage makes it less efficient. The deeper you let them discharge, the shorter their operating life.

You can wire them in parallel, but this only increases the amp hours, not the voltage. This is why many RVers switch from 12-volt batteries to two (or more) 6 volt golf cart batteries. 

03) What Is a 48-Volt LiFePO4 Lithium ion Deep Cycle Battery?

A 48-Volt LiFePO4 Lithium-ion deep cycle battery is simply a LiFePO4 Lithium-ion battery designed for deep discharging. These batteries have a long operating life and many more recharge cycles than equally powerful lead-acid batteries.

Features of 48-Volt LiFePO4 Lithium ion Deep Cycle Battery

As you increase the voltage of the battery, you increase the price. A 48-volt battery will cost more than a 36 volt battery of the same design. These batteries can power an off-road electric vehicle.

If you want to be able to power both a small RV and your toys, a 48-Volt LiFePO4 Lithium-ion deep cycle battery is a good choice.

04) What Types of the Battery Is Recommended for RVs?

An RV battery for you will depend on how much power you need, how much space you have and your budget. In general, lead acid batteries aren't recommended due to safety concerns and their shorter operating life, especially if you're deeply discharging them.

05) What is CCA rating on battery?

CCA stands for cold cranking amps. The CCA rating is an indicator of the starting power of the battery. The greater the CCA rating, the easier it is to start the engine using the battery, particularly during cold weather.

the Differences between CCA’s, CA’s and HCA’s

In general, you want the battery with the highest CCA rating you can afford if all other things are equal, especially if the RV will be operated in cold climates.

06) Why does my RV battery explode?

One common cause of this is adding water to a battery and charging it immediately afterward. That’s why you should charge the battery before you add water prior to putting it into storage. Let the distilled water seep into the best house battery and distribute itself through the electrolyte before you charge it.

The same issue arises when you try to charge a frozen battery. Because the frozen water is essentially separated from the rest of electrolyte, the water turns into gas instead of interacting properly with the lead plates. 

Alert for Maintenance free batteries

Maintenance free batteries can still lose electrolyte over time. If the battery indicator is red, suggesting the battery is out of water, don’t recharge it or it may explode.

how long will a deep cycle battery power an inverter

Overcharging any battery can cause it to explode when it produces too much hydrogen gas. If the ventilation around the battery is insufficient, the risk of explosion is greater.

Yes, If there is a rotten egg smell around the battery, don’t charge it. Be careful, If there is a hydrogen leak or suspected one, don’t let anything create sparks around the battery, either. 

Check double battery ports and cables

Battery explosions are sometimes due to dirty battery posts and cables. Clean these regularly to prevent explosions.

Know how to properly jump start the battery. If you connect a jumper cable to a good battery and then a dead battery, this creates sparks and could spark an explosion.

If you have two or more batteries and one is bad, a converter could accidentally overcharge the good battery as it tries to charge the bad battery to the point of an explosion.

How to test an rv house battery?

07) How long will RV batteries last with everything on?

The short answer is that it depends on how much energy is stored in the batteries. The longer answer is that it depends on how much power you have and how much power you’re drawing from the best RV batteries. If you’re careful to conserve power like keeping the lights and water pump usage to a minimum, a 12 volt battery could last a day or two.

Moderate usage typically draws down the battery within 24 hours; this is why so many RV owners expect to recharge the batteries daily using generators, solar cells or connections to the grid.

08) How do you connect two deep cycle 12-volt batteries in parallel to an RV?

If you’re going to use two deep cycle 12-volt batteries, they need be connected in parallel. To do this, you’d connect the positive to the positive and the negative to the negative using a charger wire.

Secure the charging wire on the positive posts, and then repeat the process with the negative posts. The negative lead for the RV trailer will be connected to the negative lead of the first battery.

09) Should house batteries be removed from an RV during winter shut down?

While winterizing an RV always includes removing perishable food and draining the water tanks, there’s debate as to whether or not you need to remove the batteries at the same time. However, this is a good idea for several reasons.

First, it gives you the opportunity to remove corrosion on the top of the battery and from the terminals.
You can store the battery in the RV, though it needs to be disconnected so that it doesn’t drain due to parasitic loads like ground faults. Storing it on a shelf in the garage eliminates this problem.

Charge the battery full before storing

If you’re going to store the battery, fully charge it, first. Charge it before you add electrolyte (if the battery isn’t sealed), since the addition of water and then charging it can cause the electrolyte to overflow. 

Store the RV battery somewhere that doesn’t get below freezing. You’ll want to check the battery’s charge every three months. Recharge as necessary. However, you should never try to charge a frozen battery since it could explode.

10) How do I run my laptop of 12volt RV batteries?

The best solution is to buy a DC to AC converter designed to be plugged into cars. This will convert the 12 volt RV batteries’ output into something your laptop battery can accept.

Another option is to charge a lithium battery bank from the 12 volt RV batteries and then use this to power your laptop.

11) How many batteries and solar panels would it take to power an RV?

The short answer is that it depends on how much power you need. You’ll need both more solar panels and batteries if you intend on running an air conditioner and big screen TV. If you’re only going to run a radio, lights and the occasional small appliance, then the number of batteries and solar panels are likewise reduced.

Solar Panels for RV Deep Cycle Battery
If you’re boondocking, parking far from utilities and not driving most days, then you both need solar panels for energy and need to plan on solar power and batteries meeting all of your needs. 
Your batteries have a capacity measured in amp-hours. That is amps multiplied by hours. Determine how much power you’ll draw from the battery with each cycle.

Then realize that you’ll need enough solar power to recharge these batteries each day. A hundred watt solar panel at peak efficiency produces eight amp-hours of charge per hours. You’ll need enough solar panels to recharge the batteries each day for the next day’s use.

12) Is it possible to use a Marine/RV battery in a pickup?

Marine and RV batteries are usually deep cycle batteries, not starter batteries like most car and truck batteries. In this regard, it is better to use any starter battery for starting the car than a marine/RV battery.

That said, if you don’t have anything else available, you can try to use a marine/RV battery to start the vehicle as long as it is rated for the cranking current of your car. 

If that’s the case, it will operate a car for a while, and that may be enough to get you to civilization so that you can get a proper car battery. However, the deep cycle battery shouldn’t be used repeatedly as a starting battery.

13) What do I do after I hooked up a battery wrong in an RV?

A common cause of this is hooking up the RV batteries backward. This could cause inline fuses to blow; this is actually the most common issue and the first thing to check. These fuses are found at either end of the wire at the points where they connect to the battery, starters, alternators and converters. 

The fuses are typically thinner than the wires they protect. Fusible links may separate without being visibly burned.  You can track down which fuses blew using a multimeter.  

Sometimes the solution is flipping the breaker in the panel, and this is always necessary if you blew a fuse.

If you fried the converter, that needs to be replaced. Newer converters, though, have reverse polarity fuses. You may need to replace these fuses, and then see if things come up.

12 volt rv battery

Then again, it is cheaper to replace these fuses than the converter itself.  Check the battery wires for the right voltage without the battery hooked up. If these are fine, then it is probably the best RV converter that is hosed.

In some cases, connecting the battery incorrectly can reverse the polarity of the battery. If this happens, that battery will never work right again. In this situation, the battery needs to be replaced.

14) RV batteries dead; trickle charge or fast charge is better?

The first question is whether or not your RV battery can fast-charge at all. If you have a deep cycle battery like an AGM battery, the answer is probably yes, you can fast charge and a fast charge finishes the job faster. If the battery can’t accept a fast charge, then you need to go with a trickle charge.

A fast charge risks an explosion in that case. Never charge a battery too fast, since this will always damage it and hurt its performance. 

The next question is how you’re charging the battery. If you’re trying to charge the battery via solar panels, you’re only going to get a trickle charge. You have to wait, and you can’t fast charge it. If you can connect to the power grid or charge the best RV deep cycle battery via a car alternator, you can.

In this case, the question is how much time you have and what energy source you have available.

15. Do you need a special charger for deep cycle batteries?

We’d say yes. Traditional batteries can be fast charged to eighty percent of their capacity. That’s invaluable if you need to start your car and get on your way. Deep cycle batteries should be charged slowly, and they will take longer to charge since they discharge so deeply.

A standard battery charger could deliver 2 amps of power for a slow charge and 10 amps in fast mode. The latter mode could damage a deep cycle battery. Deep cycle batteries will generally not go above 2 amps, and they can monitor the battery so that it doesn’t overcharge if the charger is left on overnight.

On the other hand, deep cycle battery chargers are almost always designed for float mode or battery maintenance mode. That is because deep cycle batteries often sit on the shelf for weeks or months between uses, such as when you rarely take the boat out to the lake.

16. Is it better to charge a deep cycle battery slow or fast?

Charge it slowly to minimize the risk of severely damaging the battery. In general, it should be charged at 2 amps. Never use a conventional battery charger running in fast mode at 10 amps.

Deep cycle batteries are designed to discharge up to eighty percent of their stored power without damaging the battery. In some cases, they can discharge nearly all of the stored energy without causing problems.

On the other hand, some manufacturers say not to discharge it below 45 percent unless you want to risk shortening the life of the battery.Deep cycle batteries deliver more power over a longer period of time than most batteries. That’s why they are popular on boats and RVs.

They’re essential on high power applications like driving golf carts and forklifts. A few deep cycle batteries can be used as starter batteries, but they generally can’t deliver the intense burst a starting engine requires.

And this is why they can't handle a fast charge, either. This does mean they take longer to charge, too, since they can dissipate so much of their energy in a single use.

17. How do you recondition deep cycle batteries at home?

Deep cycle batteries are lead acid batteries. This means they’re prone to sulfation or Sulphur build-up on the plates like other types of batteries. A battery re-conditioner, also called a battery rejuvenator or battery desulfator, will send pulses of power through the battery. The desulfation mode is designed to break up the sulfate on the plates.

This process won’t always work. First, try to charge it. Then test it with a voltmeter. Record the voltage. Wait two or three days, and test the voltage again. If it is almost unchanged, you have successfully reconditioned the battery. If the voltage has dropped significantly, it will not hold its charge. In this case, you should dispose of it and get a new one.

Always check the battery voltage before you try to recondition it. If the voltage is less than ten volts, you probably cannot recover it. Nor do you want to waste your time removing sulphur from the plates if the battery probably won't work.

18. How long will a deep cycle battery hold a charge?

The life of a battery can be measured in time and in cycles. An AGM deep cycle battery will last four to seven years on average, assuming it isn’t damaged. A gel cell deep cycle battery will last two to five years. A marine battery could last anywhere from one to six years.

Batteries should state how many charge cycles they will last. This may be anywhere from several hundred to several thousand cycles. If your battery is being recharged on a daily basis, you’ll go through almost 400 charge cycles a year.

19. How long can deep cycle batteries deliver power?

The answer depends on the amp hours the battery can deliver and the amount of energy it can store. Deep cycle batteries typically have an amp hour or AH rating. The standard rating is 20 hours.

For a 100 amp hour battery, this means that you’d get about 5 amps an hour over 20 hours. Divide the 100 amp hours by a 10 amps of power pulled per hour, and it will last around ten hours.

20. What is the best way to charge a deep cycle battery?

  1. Disconnect the battery from any electrical equipment. This step isn’t necessary if the battery is just sitting on the shelf.
  2. Remote the covers to the battery cells to check the electrolyte levels. Check the electrolyte levels, and add water as necessary. Test the cells, and if good, recap. This step isn’t necessary if you have a sealed battery. (Hint: you can’t do this if it is a low-maintenance battery.)
  3. Connect the battery charger to the battery. Connect the positive cable to the positive terminal first.
  4. Set it on a slow or trickle charge level. Set the voltage for twenty percent of the rated amp hours of the battery. That value should be written on the side or top of the battery.
  5. Turn the charger on. Let it run for at least twenty minutes. Then check the charge meter on the battery to verify that it is starting to charge. If it isn’t charging, check the connection or check the battery. If everything is working, either let it run until it turns off or regularly check it to make sure it doesn’t go over the recommended voltage.

21. Can you overcharge deep cycle battery?

Yes, it is possible to overcharge a deep cycle battery. If you overcharge it at a high rate, it will heat up and could explode. If you’re slowly overcharging it, the water in the electrolyte will decompose and vent as hydrogen. You’ll also prematurely age the battery.

You can also damage the battery by trying to charge it when the electrolyte is literally frozen. Never attempt to charge a battery when temperatures are below freezing, unless you know the battery is made not to freeze at those temperatures.

22. When hooking up a battery which cable do you connect first?

Whether you’re dealing with a house battery or car battery, you should connect the positive cable to the positive terminal. In general, the positive cable and terminal are both red. Then you connect the negative cable to the negative terminal. These are both black. Only turn on the engine or incoming power source once this is done.

Why does the order matter?

If you connect the cables the wrong way, you could damage the battery. In the case of a car battery, you could get burned if you’re trying to jump a dead battery. You’ll create a much larger spark inside the battery that could ignite the hydrogen gas inside the batteries.

23. Which battery terminal do you disconnect first?

First, turn off the incoming power source. Next, disconnect the black or negative cables. Then you can disconnect the positive cables. This is the reverse order of the process of connecting the battery cables.

24. Do batteries in series or parallel last longer?

If you have two batteries in a battery bank connected in parallel, the voltage stays the same but the current differs. If the batteries are connected in series, the current is the same while the voltage varies. This means the batteries connected in series have constant charge dissipation and a greater voltage drop. That reduces the life of batteries connected in series.

Connect your batteries in parallel if you want them to deliver power as long as possible. And you’re optimizing the amp-hours delivered; this is why the current will flow longer. If you wanted to maximize voltage, you’d connect them in series. That’s irrelevant in an RV when you want a constant 12 volts.

25. Does plugging in RV charge battery?

If you have a motor coach or RV, a common question is whether plugging in the RV to shore power will automatically charge the battery. Usually, the answer is yes. That means that the house battery charges whenever you’re connected to shore power. The only exception is if the battery bank is disconnected or a fuse has blown.

Note that this is only a trickle charge. That may not charge the battery fast enough if there are other draws on the battery’s power level. For example, a battery maintainer that pulls as much power as the trickle charge delivers will prevent the battery from charging. 

Furthermore, if the battery has depleted electrolyte, it won’t fully charge. That’s why you want to check the batteries before charging them.

26. Does driving charge RV battery?

Driving will always charge the car battery. It may or may not charge the 12 volt house batteries that run your water pump, wastewater pump and RV lights. Plugging your RV into shore power should recharge the house batteries, but it will not recharge the car battery.

27. How many batteries can an alternator charge?

The alternator in an RV engine could charge two or more batteries. The challenge is wiring everything so that you can safely charge multiple batteries. An RV engine may be made to charge the car battery and house batteries by design.

28. Do inverters drain battery?

An inverter can drain the battery. The only exception is if the RV engine is running and charging the battery. The solution is to unplug small devices plugged into the inverter unless you’re running the engine or have disconnected the inverter from the house batteries.

An inverter or energy storage bank that is disconnected from the car engine and house batteries can run any device for hours without draining the battery, and it can do so as you recharge the house batteries.

29. How long will a 100ah battery run a fridge?

A 100 amp hour battery is designed to deliver 1 amp for 100 hours. In theory, it will deliver 10 amps for 10 hours. There are limits on the amount of current it can draw. Divide watts by volts to determine how many amps of power an appliance will need.

For example, a 1.2 watt light designed to run on 12 volts will use 1.2 watts divided by 12 volts or 0.1 amps. That means the 100 amp hour battery could power that light for a thousand hours. However, refrigerators use much more power than that.

Let’s use the example of a small, portable 60 watt refrigerator.

We’ll say it is one designed to run off 12 volt power. In this case, we’d divide 60 watts by 12 volts to get a 5 amp power requirement. Note that this is how much power the refrigerator needs when the motor runs, and it may not need to run the motor continuously.

However, a 100 amp hour battery would run the small fridge for 100 / 5 or 20 hours. In theory, a fridge motor only needs to run 15 percent of the time. Divide the 20 hours by 0.15, and you get a potential 133 hour run-time. Yet the battery could run down before that time.

Why house batteries rarely last more?

This is why house batteries rarely last more than a few days, even if fully charged. They are slowly dissipating their stored energy in addition to what is being pulled by the various loads. It also explains why many RVs use propane to power the refrigerator.

30. Is it safe to leave a trickle charger on all the time?

Trickle chargers are often used to maintain house battery energy levels. It also prevents the battery from discharging too deeply and resetting its energy storage level to the point it can’t fully recharge.

But can you leave a trickle charger on the battery all the time? This depends on the unit. Some trickle chargers are designed to be used all the time, since they turn off when the battery is fully charged.

Note that you don’t want to leave a trickle charger on a battery that may get too hot or cold to safely charge. This is why trickle chargers are best reserved for when you put the RV in storage.

Final Words

Choose the RV deep cycle battery that is best for your particular application. Understand how to maintain the battery and the rules regarding its proper use.

Know that the battery isn't a standalone object but that its performance is dependant on the chargers you use, the power source used to charge it, how you use it and how heavily you draw it down.

John S.
 

Hello guys! I'm a 37-years-old author, traveler, writer, blogger, and a camper. I enjoy life as much as I can and love to visit beautiful places in my RV. That's why while traveling I have decided to dedicate some time to share my experiences with everyone that might be interested in traveling, camping, and RVs.

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