How long will a caravan battery last? (9 tips)
By
Elaine Knight
In this blog post, we will answer the following question: How long will a caravan battery last? We will explain how to make the best of your caravan battery and how to prolong its life in nine simple tips.
How long will a caravan battery last?
A caravan battery will last between five and 10 years, depending on how you use it. The charge rate of the caravan battery is a very important factor to consider when determining how long your battery will last.
The limit of this in terms of discharge compared to that it usually endures is also important in determining the usage time of this cellar battery for motorhomes. It also allows you to know the number of cycles it can perform.
Let’s discuss two possible scenarios:
- A slow discharge battery is capable of performing between 2000 and 2500 cycles when properly recharged, that is so that the discharge level is not less than 50%. Its lifespan in this case is between 6 and 10 years.
- On the other hand, when it is allowed to go up to 80% discharge, the battery will only be able to perform between 1000 and 1500 charge and discharge cycles. This means that the usage time of it will not exceed 5 years.
Some batteries are able to withstand up to 100% of discharges. However, it should not be abused, as it could deteriorate quite quickly and drastically shorten its usage time.
A battery loses a little more of its efficiency each time it is allowed to drain before recharging it. Even though you don’t really realize it when it comes to a slow-discharge battery, the more time passes the more damaged the battery.
How to prolong the life of your caravan battery?
As we well know, there are a huge number of brands and models of auxiliary batteries to choose from as part of our solar kit for caravan or van, however, at the technology level, we can group the options into 3 technologies: open lead, AGM and GEL.
However, in this article, we will not go into the technical differences or explain the concepts of battery capacity, which we covered in previous posts. Rather, we are going to focus on how we can get the most out of our energy stores for as long as possible. Everything is to enjoy our appliances on vacation for several seasons.
Avoid over-discharging the caravan battery
As a general rule, open lead batteries support between 20-300 charging cycles, GEL 400-500 batteries and AGM 600-800 technology batteries. The useful life of your solar battery is closely linked to the% discharge that it has undergone, therefore, you should avoid discharges below 75% even when long periods of time go unused.
Many charge regulators incorporate a display that allows you to see the percentage of battery charge, but if your charge controller does not have a display, it is always possible to purchase a battery monitor so that you can strictly control the status of your accumulator.
Don’t mix caravan battery types
If you have more than one monobloc battery in your camper, make sure they are the same model and are the same age to avoid the older battery limiting the storage capacity of the new one.
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Buy yourself a voltmeter for the caravan battery
It is worth doing the inverter because it is a cheap, simple and effective tool to check the correct operation of all the components of your electrical installation with solar panels. If something doesn’t work, or your batteries stop charging, it allows you to make a reliable diagnosis.
Depending on the voltage of the battery, we can know the level of charge it has:
| Voltage | Load Level |
| 12.6 or more | 100% |
| 12.5 | 90% |
| 12.42 | 80% |
| 12.32 | 70% |
| 12.20 | 60% |
| 12.06 | 50% |
| 11.90 | 40% |
| 11.75 | 30% |
| 11.58 | 20% |
| 11.31 | 10% |
| 10.5 | 0% |
If your caravan battery smells, be concerned
Despite containing chemical compounds, the batteries installed in motorhomes are odourless. Therefore, if it begins to emit an unpleasant odour, such as rotten eggs, it is most likely because it has been overloaded and the acids inside are beginning to give off sulfur gases.
To get out of doubt, play the side of the drums; If it is very hot, disconnect the battery immediately. Remember that if your battery is open lead, you can fill it with distilled water if it evaporates. In a sealed battery, AGM or GEL, this is not possible and the evaporation of its electrolyte can render it useless. Always keep an eye on the temperature of your battery.
Avoid using high-consumption appliances on your caravan battery
Appliances and air conditioners cause rapid discharges of your battery in a very short time, so it is better not to abuse their use. Try to use efficient appliances that optimize consumption but, if you are still going to use this type of equipment for a long time, make sure that the quality of your battery allows it.
Keep the caravan battery clean
With use, batteries pick up dirt and connections can sulfate, affecting connectivity. For this, it is recommended to use petroleum jelly to clean the terminals.
Don’t waste energy from your caravan battery
In the same way that leaving the lights or television on in your house will increase your electricity bill, an unnecessary over-discharge of the battery (especially if it is not accompanied by an immediate solar recharge) will end up cutting the useful life of the battery. Treat it well, let it recharge and it will last you for many years.
Use your caravan battery wisely
Distilled water yes, tap water NO. No further explanation is required. Even so, if you want to save yourself the paperwork, buy a sealed solar battery for your caravan or van.
Prevent caravan battery discharge in winter
If you are not to use the motorhome all year round but focus your outings in the spring and summer, you must be careful with the state in which you leave your battery. Make sure that it is charged to 100% (or to the maximum of its capacity) and disconnect it from the photovoltaic kit.
If you are going to remove it from the caravan during this time, do not leave it on concrete or in a wet place, and make sure to charge it at least once every 2 months.
Conclusions
It is common practice to seek solutions to prolong your caravan battery’s life and to have greater autonomy in order to reduce one’s dependence on service areas and campsites. There are various ways to do this.
Remember that a caravan battery is “slow discharge”. You, therefore, have a certain autonomy, the duration of which is relatively long but not infinite! This is why it needs to be recharged regularly.
If you have any questions, comments or tips on how to prolong the life of a caravan battery, please let us know!
FAQ on How long will a caravan battery last?
How long does it take to recharge a battery?
Recharging a battery to its full capacity can take up to 40 hours. Of course, this cooldown assumes it’s completely empty. It will also vary depending on its capacity and use. The best way to recharge the battery is via AC power.
What is a smart battery charger?
Smart battery chargers are based on the latest developments in technology and aim to simplify the task of users. Also, this type of charger analyzes the type of battery and its condition throughout the charging process.
What is a booster to charge batteries?
A Booster auxiliary battery charger is electronic equipment capable of taking the charging intensity of the vehicle’s alternator and generating a great load intensity towards the auxiliary battery, the most efficient chargers produce between 25 and 40 Amps PER HOUR direct to the auxiliary battery.
How do you recharge a caravan battery?
The batteries are recharged automatically thanks to the energy generated by the motor. First, the main battery is charged and when it is fully charged, it sends current to the auxiliary battery.
References
- Everything you need to know about the caravan and… | Lifesure Group
- A guide to understanding leisure batteries – Yuasa UK
- Guide to leisure batteries for caravans and motorhomes – Safeguard
