Purchasing and maintaining a camper battery 

The demand for campers and cars converted into campers has increased in recent years. Not without reason, because travelling around with this vehicle gives a feeling of freedom. You benefit from more comfort than when camping in a tent or trailer tent. Other advantages of a camper are the higher loading capacity of the vehicle, the wider choice of pitches and the possibility to use the living space that a camper offers you during a trip. Logically, choosing a camper over a caravan or tent does not only offer advantages. For example, a camper is less suitable for excursions at your holiday destination; taking a separate scooter or bicycles is a solution for this.

Another aspect to consider is the higher maintenance and repair costs of the camper. For example, consider the periodic replacement of the battery in the camper. What are the most important factors to consider here? For example, how does the battery in a camper compare to the battery of a Prius or similar passenger car? You can read more about it in this article. 

Domestic battery as the heart of a camper 

For the use of the various electrical systems in a camper, such as the lighting or for example the refrigerator and boiler, a well-functioning household battery is essential. In campers, a different model battery is usually used than in a regular passenger car. The latter batteries are not suitable for various reasons, for example for charging a camera, switching on a small heater, and so on. 

In campers, a distinction is made between two types of batteries, the lithium-ion battery and the AGM. A lithium-ion battery is relatively light in weight, small in size and more durable than the AGM variant. Conversely, the AGM battery is offered at a lower price than the lithium-ion household battery for campers. Please note that the difference in price can be up to four times as much, with an AGM battery of 250 euros being equal to a lithium-ion battery of 1.000 euros with the same capacity. It is common to opt for a 12V battery in campers.

Depth of discharge for different camper batteries 

Not only do lithium-ion batteries and AGM batteries for campers differ in weight, size and durability. Another important aspect is the difference in discharge depth. For example, an AGM battery can only be discharged to 50 percent before you have to recharge it. With a lithium-ion battery, the discharge depth is a maximum of 95 percent, although it is recommended not to let it go beyond 80 to 90 percent. This benefits the durability of the camper battery. 

Combine camper battery with solar panels 

You can combine a camper battery with solar panels. This combination makes it possible to generate part of the required power yourself. When you combine a camper battery with solar panels, you need a charge controller in addition to these components. The charge controller converts the voltage of the power generated by the solar panels to a voltage that is suitable for the battery. To illustrate: solar panels often reach a voltage of 16 to 20 volts. Where camper batteries can often handle a voltage of 12 volts. 

Maintenance of the batteries of a camper 

Both the camper battery and the battery under the hood need to be maintained. You want to prevent deep discharge, as discussed earlier. It can greatly reduce the lifespan of a camper battery. Using a trickle charger can be an option to keep the camper's domestic battery in good condition when you put it in winter storage. Does the camper battery need replacing? Then get advice from a specialist. 

For a regular passenger car, choosing the right replacement battery depends on the type of car and your driving behavior, says SELF-DOC. “Choosing the right battery depends on the type of car and your driving style. Check the capacity and dimensions of the old battery to find a suitable model. The part must be able to meet the electrical requirements of the car in question. Pay attention to specifications such as the cold start current (CCA) and the capacity (Ah). Do you drive a lot of short distances? Then choose a battery with a higher charging cycle. Special AGM batteries are suitable for cars with a start-stop system. Ask a specialist for advice or consult your car manual for recommendations. This way you can be sure that the battery is reliable and will last a long time.” 

Other maintenance on a camper 

Not only the battery needs to be maintained, also look at more general maintenance work. For example, it is important to check the lighting around the camper and check the tire pressure before departure to reduce the chance of a blowout. The engine oil will also need to be replaced periodically. It is important to look at the viscosity class of the oil.