Storing electricity is the future of everything that’s on the go, be it cars, smartphones or scooters. Because of this, batteries are becoming more frequently used to power devices and vehicles, with the most commonly used ones containing lithium cell chemistry. Lithium batteries are one of the most advanced when it comes to their core technology, which makes them more superior to other types of RV batteries.
Lithium RV batteries have a cathode, anode, electrolyte and separator. The ions are separated with the help of the cathode and anode which travel through the electrolyte to form electricity. The separator is what keeps the cathode and anode apart. Lithium batteries are new to the consumer market, but they have been produced for quite some time now by manufacturers such as CALB. For more than a decade, this high-tech Chinese manufacturer has been producing lithium batteries for all kinds of applications, including motorhomes. Be it joining the off-grid camping trend or looking for a clean power source, going solar is a great way to do so when travelling the country with a caravan.
Why People Prefer Lithium Batteries for Their Motorhome
Safety
The number one reason why people choose lithium batteries for their caravan over any other battery is safety. Just like any other lithium battery, a quality CALB lithium battery comes with built-in safety measures. If the battery overheats, for example, it will automatically shut down to prevent a fire or explosion.
The Environment
With a lithium CALB battery, or any lithium battery for that matter, your caravan doesn’t leave a carbon footprint in the environment. The fact that you’ll use one to store solar power will make your travelling experience as environmentally friendly as possible. Imagine if you were to drive a fully renewable energy-powered motorhome, now that’s something your future self would be thankful for.
Long-Term Solution
Lithium batteries have a long lifespan, so you can rely on them for years to come. They will also work optimally during those years unless they are subjected to extreme heat or cold. For that reason, make sure to keep them stored in a dry and dark place with temperatures between 15°C and 35°C, and you’ll forget you even have a battery in your caravan.
Maintenance & Usability
Lithium batteries are known to be maintenance-free. You won’t have to fiddle around and pour chemicals in it to keep the battery working at its best. You just hook it up to your caravan’s PV (photovoltaic) system and keep it in its optimal state of charge. This way, you won’t only make use of the battery a lot longer than usual, but you’ll also be able to use up to 99% of its usable capacity. No other battery can do this without any maintenance, last as long, or perform as well as a CALB lithium battery.
Weight
Alongside being safer for both you and the environment, and lasting you a long time, lithium batteries are also known for being lightweight. While they are not light by everyday standards, when compared to their older counterparts – lithium batteries weigh a lot less. This reduces the weight of your caravan and improves fuel economy.
How to Care for Lithium Batteries
Temperature
The most important thing to remember is to keep your CALB battery in its optimal temperature range. Extensive exposure to even the faintest of heat sources can lead to cell damage, reducing the lifespan of the battery. If the battery does get hot, park your caravan and turn the battery and all the devices drawing power from the battery off. Let things cool down for about 10 minutes and continue your trip. If this keeps happening, it might be time to reconsider the battery’s location.
Charging
Charging a battery shouldn’t be on top of your priority list as it happens autonomously when you have solar power connected to your caravan. It’s best that you keep the state of charge between 80% and 20% for ideal operation. This won’t always be the case, which is why you should at least aim for a state of charge between 95% and 10%.
Parking & Storage
Since the battery needs to stay in its optimal temperature range at all times, make sure to park at places where there is enough shade. Even if the battery is at the bottom of your caravan, continuous exposure to the sun’s rays can harm it. Despite the rays being what deliver the juice, they can harm the battery if it’s directly exposed. If you have a fully electric caravan, avoid using fast chargers as much as you can. Only use one when you really need to, otherwise avoid them, as they can harm the battery. This is due to the fact that they put in charge back extremely fast, degrading the battery bit by bit.
