Guide to RV battery chargers
Join us as we take a look at the all-important role of chargers in your RV power systems.
Last week we looked at the different types of RV batteries on the market
A battery does very little if it’s not charged … and investing in a good quality battery charger should go without saying in today’s power-reliant world. With a million gizmos and gadgets to keep modern life running, it’s no doubt essential to have a reliant battery system on board your RV to complement your electrical systems. It’s all well and good to have a huge bank of batteries capable of powering your every need, but they’ll be useless to you if you fire up the rig after six months unattended in storage or you arrive at camp to find they haven’t charged during the drive. A battery charger is the answer here and for many other battery-related dilemmas you may face.
Batteries lose charge over time
You may be surprised to learn that 12V batteries — the type found in most RVs — lose charge over time, even when they’re not being used … even when disconnected while your motorhome sits in storage over winter.
Most batteries can only handle being left without charge for a maximum of two or three months, and they will lose significant quality and capacity over that time. If you want to maintain the good health of your electrical appliances, you need a good-quality battery charger.
How does a battery charger work?
When a battery is being used to power a device or appliance, a chemical reaction takes place within the battery that causes electrons to flow between the positive and negative electrodes via the electrolyte. A battery charger reverses that reaction, thus recharging the battery.
Types of battery chargers
Usually, a modern RC 12V battery can be (and often has to be) charged from multiple power sources. The most common sources are a vehicle alternator, mains charger and solar panels.
The most common chargers for the 12V lead acid batteries used in the majority of motorhomes are ‘multi-stage chargers.’ These are advantageous as they can be left connected and running all the time (more on these below). Another possible installation is a 12V charger which can be hardwired and mounted on your rig.
You may also choose to run a DC-DC charger which can be used while you’re driving. This will boost the voltage up to 14.4V to give your battery the best and fastest charge possible while you’re on the road.
Choosing the right battery charger
In the past, just about any charger would do the job, but not anymore since battery and battery charger technology has evolved. Ensuring you use the right battery charger for your RV’s batteries will keep your batteries healthier and give them a longer battery life.
The best charger for your battery is one that is matched to the battery, has the necessary electrical output, and has a charging profile/compatibility to match the battery. While a constant voltage and current will charge a battery quickly, it’s considerably better for a deep cycle battery’s health if a ‘trickle’ charge is used over a longer period. Multi-stage chargers are considered best for this purpose.
What is a multi-stage charger?
Multi-stage chargers are intelligent/smart chargers that use a range of charging programs — or ‘states’ — to keep your battery at peak capacity and in good health. The charger will choose the correct state for each part of the battery’s charging cycle. Most modern good-quality multi-stage chargers have seven, sometimes up to 10, different stages to cycle through.
Is a different charger required for lithium batteries?
Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries have very different characteristics and composition to other batteries. LiFePO4 batteries have a much smaller voltage tolerance and because of that the ‘trickle’ charge of the deep cycle battery does not apply, which means a LiFePO4 battery can be charged faster while minimising the risk of overcharging.
QUICK TIP: If you don’t know what it does when you buy it, ask the dealer or seller for a quick rundown of the electrical setup, take a few notes and label anything you think you might forget.
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