More power for the road
A good campervan trip’s all about freedom. Being able to pull up somewhere beautiful, make a coffee, keep the fridge running and settle in for the night without worrying about whether the battery will run out of juice.
That’s exactly why more campervan owners are switching to lithium batteries.
For years, AGM deep-cycle batteries have been the standard choice for powering fridges, lights, water pumps and other equipment in campervans and motorhomes. They’re dependable and still suit many setups.
But lithium batteries offer a completely different kind of performance. They give you more usable power, weigh less and can recharge faster.
More usable power while you travel
The capacity printed on a battery doesn't always tell you how much power you can comfortably use.
Traditional deep-cycle batteries last longest when they're not regularly discharged below about half their capacity, meaning much of their stored energy is best kept in reserve.
Lithium batteries, however, can typically use most of their available capacity without significantly affecting battery life.
For campervan owners, that means longer running time for fridges, lights, water pumps, charging devices and other equipment before it's time to recharge. So it gives you more flexibility when you’re freedom camping, parked at the beach or spending a few days away from powered sites.
Less weight in the campervan
Weight matters in any campervan. And let’s face it, traditional deep-cycle batteries are heavy, especially when you need more than one.
Lithium batteries, on the other hand, can provide similar or greater usable power while weighing considerably less. That can free up valuable payload for water, food, bikes, camping gear and everything else you want to take on the road.
Faster charging between stops
Lithium batteries also accept charge more quickly than many traditional batteries.
That’s especially useful if the battery’s being recharged through solar panels, a mains charger or the vehicle’s charging system when you’re driving.
Either way, there’s less time waiting around for your battery to get recharged. And more time to enjoy camping.
Easy to check while you’re away
Some lithium batteries even include Bluetooth monitoring, which is super handy. It lets you check the battery level, charging status and the power use through an app on your phone.
It’s a good feature to have when you’re moving around a lot. You can quickly and easily see how much power’s remaining before deciding whether to stay another night or start looking for somewhere to recharge.
Will lithium work in every campervan?
Not always. A lithium battery shouldn’t simply be fitted in place of an AGM battery without checking the rest of the system.
The existing charger, solar regulator and vehicle charging equipment all need to be compatible with lithium technology. In some campervans, upgrades may be required to charge the new battery correctly and safely.
The size of the battery should also match the way the campervan is used. Someone taking occasional weekends away may need a very different setup from someone travelling around New Zealand for months at a time.
Our advice is free
Call into your nearest Battery Town and we’ll happily inspect your campervan’s battery setup to see if you can switch to lithium.
Our team of auto electrical experts know precisely what to look for and can give you the right advice and a quick answer, all for no charge