4 RV Lithium Battery Terms That You Need to Be Aware Of
Even if you are relatively new to RV ownership, then you are probably aware that RV lithium batteries have changed the game when it comes to powering your on-road adventures. However, according to a 2022 survey of 300 new RV owners, this was about the extent of their knowledge revolving around powering a recreational vehicle. By educating yourself in this “new language” that engulfs RV lithium batteries, you can learn a great deal more about the very source that dictates your family’s level of enjoyment in your RV adventures, and you can even gain some momentum in being more tech-savvy. Enduro Power is known for offering the best RV lithium batteries, as these batteries are lighter, smaller, give off a ton of power, hold their charge longer, work better in battery banks than other brands, and are more affordable than competitor brands. To help our new customers get a jump-start, we are breaking down these four terms and concepts that anyone who buys RV lithium batteries should be fully aware of.
First Things First: How Do RV Lithium Batteries Work?
To better understand the four RV lithium battery terms to be discussed shortly, it is critical to know how these batteries work. Every battery is made up of the following items:
- Battery electrolyte
- Separator
- A negatively charged cathode
- A positively charged anode
Electricity is created when lithium ions move through the electrolyte solution, and the battery terminals are connected to the thing in need of power, which completes the circuit. Of course, RV lithium batteries are used to power every item in your recreational vehicle requiring power to run, such as the lights, heating and cooling system, refrigerator, TV, GPS system, Internet router, solar panels, and other items. But a lithium battery can also be used to power everything from windmills to bass fishing boats, as well as being used in a custom battery bank to power off-the-grid living. RV lithium batteries are superior to their lead-acid cousins, as they can operate in more extreme conditions, they won’t corrode, and they can be completely discharged without being damaged.
Now that you know a bit more about RV lithium batteries, let’s delve right into the five terms that every recreation vehicle owner using lithium batteries for power should be aware of.
RV Lithium Battery Term #1: Lithium Chemistry
Lithium chemistry is the primary component that separates one RV lithium battery from another, and that proves that not all batteries are equal. Six different main types of lithium chemistry exist and include the following:
- Lithium cobalt oxide (LCO)
- Lithium manganese oxide (LMO)
- Lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC)
- Lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (NCA)
- Lithium iron phosphate (LFP)
- Lithium titanate (LTO)
Enduro Power batteries use lithium-iron phosphate chemistry to get the longest lifespan while giving our customers the highest performance level in an efficient manner with full thermal stability. Since these batteries have low-resistance materials, they are the safest RV lithium batteries in the industry. These RV lithium batteries can run for thousands of cycles, which is more than any other competitor battery. Therefore, the most experienced recreational vehicle owners get their RV lithium batteries from Enduro Power.
RV Lithium Battery Term #2: Battery Management Systems (BMS)
Power generation systems rely on these three things to produce power: wind, sunshine, and batteries. If the sun shines, your solar panels will continue to produce energy, and if you use windmills to generate power, they will do so if wind exists. It is, however, possible to overcharge your batteries and damage them in the process. Conversely, unchecked usage can lead to all the energy being drained from the batteries, and this can also damage their internal makeup. This is where battery management systems are crucial, as the BMS prevents this disaster from happening.
Your BMS will be placed between the batteries and the power generation system, completely regulating the flow of energy that runs between them. A good BMS will also stop energy from traveling back to the windmill or solar panels at moments when the system isn't creating enough energy. Your battery management system will also monitor important things such as loose connections and the temperature, and this can help you address those little issues before they evolve into something much graver. When you consider all of this, you can think of your battery management system as the battery’s “brain” because it works to protect all longevity and health while making RV lithium batteries safer to use. Remember, some accouterments in the battery are potentially flammable, so using your BMS to monitor the safe running of your RV lithium batteries is critical for promoting total safety.
RV Lithium Battery Term #3: Peukert’s Law
Peukert’s Law outlines an issue that is experienced when high amounts of energy are drawn from lead-acid batteries that will shorten the lifespan. Basically, Peukert’s Law says that as discharge rates increase, the battery’s resistance increases, and as a result one is left with less amp-hours to meet their needs. However, if you use Enduro Power RV lithium batteries, you won't experience this due to the chemistry difference within the battery where full capacity is preserved despite how quickly you may be draining your battery–a huge benefit of using RV lithium batteries.
RV Lithium Battery Term #4: Thermal Runaway
Thermal runaway is a process that begins when an RV battery functions above its safe temperature, catalyzing a chemical reaction within the battery. This can be caused by overcharging, and/or charging the battery too quickly. This reaction creates heat that only continues to raise battery temperature thus causing more reactions. This can cause batteries to catch fire at very hot temperatures, and clearly, this is something you should avoid. A battery management system will alert you before this can happen.
The above terms will further help you understand thermal runaway. Know that lithium-ion batteries have gotten some bad press in the media brought on by the incident of the scuba diving boat The Conception that caught fire off California, as well as exploding cell phones and hoverboard batteries that caused fires on flights. But, again, a properly used Battery Management System will eliminate this risk.
Unlike lead-acid batteries, Enduro Power RV lithium batteries have been engineered to work with the best battery management systems to protect against overheating and fires. Every RV lithium battery from Enduro Power goes through rigorous quality control checks, tests, and we make sure buyers get all the information they need on how to safely power their recreational vehicle. Additionally, every battery is inspected and tested before being shipped to our valued customers.
Call Enduro Power for the Best RV Lithium Batteries that are Safe, Reliable and Affordable
Name-brand RV lithium batteries will cost more because they are higher quality, and their chemistry is more advanced. They are also safer, last longer, and they rarely run into problems. That said, Enduro Power has set out to make our name-brand batteries more affordable than competitor options without sacrificing quality. In fact, our batteries out-perform others! Our team is standing by to take your call, and to help you choose the best RV lithium battery to provide the best solution to all your needs.