Last Updated on April 30, 2024 by Nikole

As an avid van lifer, I know how important it is to have a reliable battery system in your camper van. Whether you’re off-grid camping or need a backup power source, choosing the best battery for your camper van is crucial. 

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Ready to choose the best battery for your camper van? Check out our selection of camper van batteries today and power up your next adventure!

The Difference Between Valve-Regulated Lead Acid Batteries and Open Lead Acid Batteries

When it comes to camper van batteries, there are two main types to consider: valve-regulated lead acid (VRLA) batteries and open lead acid batteries.

Valve-Regulated Lead Acid Batteries

VRLA batteries, also known as sealed batteries, AGM batteries, or gel batteries, are maintenance-free and don’t require the addition of water. They are designed to prevent acid leakage and can be mounted in any position. 

VRLA batteries are some of the most popular options because of their low maintenance. The only maintenance you may need to be worried about is a conditioning charge.

A sealed lead-acid battery’s possible negative is that it could not operate as well as its flooded counterpart, discussed below, owing to the difficulty of maintaining the battery.

Open Lead Acid Batteries

On the other hand, open lead acid batteries are the traditional type of battery that requires regular maintenance, including checking and adding distilled water to maintain proper electrolyte levels. 

A flooded battery’s ability to off-gas hydrogen under specific charging circumstances makes it another unique feature. As a result, the battery must always be vented to let the gases out.

Depth of Discharge, Amp Hour, and Battery Cycle Explained

Understanding the depth of discharge (DoD) and battery cycles is essential when choosing a battery for your camper van, this will help determine which battery best suits your needs. 

DoD– the depth of discharge is the greatest amount of a battery’s capacity (in Ah) that is routinely withdrawn from the charged battery.  

Ah– A battery’s maximum energy storage capacity at full charge is called Amp-hour.

For example, if you discharge a 100Ah battery to 50Ah, the DoD would be 50%. 

Battery cycles, on the other hand, represent the number of times a battery can be charged and discharged before its capacity starts to degrade.

It’s important to choose a battery with a high number of cycles and a deep DoD if you plan on using your camper van frequently.

Here are some factors that may affect the usage of your batteries when it comes to these aspects:

• Environment
• How you use the battery
• How you charge the battery
• How old the battery is

Starter Batteries vs Leisure Batteries for Camper Vans

One common dilemma for camper van owners is whether to use a starter battery or a leisure battery. 

Starter Batteries

Starter batteries, as the name suggests, are designed to provide a burst of energy to start the engine. 

They are not designed for deep cycling and may not hold up well if used for powering appliances in your camper van. If you have very few items to power, that require less power, you can get away with just using a starter battery.

Leisure (Deep Cycle) Batteries

Leisure batteries, on the other hand, are specifically designed for deep cycling and can provide a steady power supply for your camper van’s electrical needs. 

In fact, most van lifers choose a leisure battery (also known as a deep-cycle battery) to power all their appliances. There are a few of these camper van batteries you can pick from.

• Gel
• AGM
• Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4)

It’s important to choose a leisure battery if you plan on using your camper van for extended periods without access to external power sources. These batteries are perfect for those who live full-time in a camper van or for those who boondock.

Different Types of Batteries for Camper Vans

Now let’s dive into the different types of leisure batteries available for camper vans.

Lithium-ion Batteries

One popular option is lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are lightweight, have a high energy density, and can be discharged to a deeper DoD compared to other battery types. However, they tend to be more expensive upfront. 

Extreme temperature differences won’t drain a lithium-ion battery, instead, the battery thrives in these terrains. 

Lithium-ion batteries are the best options for powering your camper van because they are versatile, hold a lot of charge, and handle a large capacity. 

You will often find these batteries in large campers, camper vans, or even tiny homes. They have the capability of powering larger power items such as camper van heaters and washing machines. 

If you have a lot to power on your trips, this is the right battery for you. Link a few of them together to have even more power for your electrical items. 

Pros

• Versatile (can handle any temperature)
• Powers large items such as washing machines
• Used in large campers

Cons

• A bit pricey 

What We Recommend for Lithium-ion Batteries

We recommend the NewtiPower 10000+ Deep Cycle Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery for those who need a ton of power and aren’t necessarily on a budget. One van lifer was able to power a regular household fridge for a whole day. 

The lightweightness of these LifePO4 batteries comes in handy especially if you are hauling more than one battery in your camper van. 

the NewtiPower is super safe, and you don’t need to worry about overcharging your battery with its:

• Over-current protection
• Short circuit protection
• Over-charging protection
• Over-voltage protection
• Over-discharge protection
• Thermal protection

Specs

• Dimension: 7.6″D x 13.7″W x 9.8″H
• Weight: 46 pounds
• AH: 240Cycles: 10,000

Gel Batteries for Camper Vans

Gel batteries are another type of battery that is commonly used in camper vans. These batteries use a silica gel electrolyte and porous microfiber separator, which makes them:

• Spill-proof 
• Vibration-resistant
• Have a longer life
• Reduces short circuiting
• Allows for a higher capacity

They are also maintenance-free and can be mounted in any position because they have sealed caps, therefore they won’t leak acid. 

Gel Batteries are cold-resistant, some up to negative 45 degrees Fahrenheit. If you plan on doing a lot of cold-weather camping, a gel battery is perfect for combating freezing situations. Also, consider this battery if you park your camper van for a few weeks at a time. 

Be sure to monitor your Gel battery when charging, if overcharged, the battery’s life span could shorten- However, most gel batteries can prevent overcharging issues.

The cells in the battery could become damaged over time due to the electrolyte inside the battery heating up.

One big downside to a gel battery is its need to vent due to gasses releasing whenever pressure builds up-this is known to rarely happen. 

You must also store this battery fully charged to preserve it. So if you decide to winterize and store your van for the winter, make sure to charge your battery before long-term storage.  

Pros

• Can be stored in just about any position
• Vibration-proof, making it ideal for off-roading adventures
• Easy, to no maintenance

Cons

• Must fully charge before long-term storage
• Not the cheapest option
• Overcharging issues in some cases
• May require venting

Our Recommendation for Gel Batteries

UPLUS is a hybrid Gel-AGM camper van battery. It has 100Ah and can provide 1400 cycles at 50% DoD. You must recharge this battery after you have used 80% of its capacity.

This battery, unfortunately, weighs a little over 60 pounds, which is quite heavy for a battery. Keep the weight in mind when purchasing several batteries of this type. 

Speaking of weight, some complained about the handles being cheap and breaking, so just be aware of this issue when making your decision. 

Specs of this Camper Van Battery

• Dimension: 7.12 x 10.74 x 12.55 inches
• Weight: a little over 60 pounds
• AH: 100
• Cycles: 14,000

AGM Batteries

Lastly, AGM batteries, or Absorbent Glass Mat batteries, are known for their high performance and durability.

AGM Batteries use a sponge-like glass mat to separate lead plates. There is also a solution of sulfuric acid and water, but you will never have to worry about spillage or leaking when off-roading. 

The liquid mixture is held within the sponge-like material, so in other words you do not have acid free flowing like in a lead acid battery. This also means you will not have to add liquid to maintain an AGM battery.

They are designed to handle heavy loads and provide a steady power supply. It has a low self-discharge rate of 1-3% per month.

Self-discharge relates to the battery’s capability to retain its stored energy under specific conditions while it is in an open circuit state. 

It is recommended you use only half of the battery’s power at a time, or it will significantly decrease its charging abilities.

You may want to vent an AGM battery because if there is pressure buildup (unlikely that this would happen) within the battery, it could gas off. Usually, this will happen if the battery gets too hot. To be safe, it is recommended you vent them. 

Pros

• Low maintenance
• Allow for high power outputs
• Long life span (ranging between 5-8 years)
• Mount in any position
• Shock resistant

Cons

• Fairly pricey
• Deep cycling is limited compared to other batteries

What We Recommend

The Optima battery is one of the first batteries to have circular cells, and this particular one has 6. 

This battery can recharge 3x as much as other camper van batteries, leaving you with a longer life span. You can mount it in just about any position because it is spillproof and vibration-resistant.

This battery is perfect for those off-roading or planning to get jostled around quite a bit. You can also use this battery for deep cycle or starting purposes making it perfect for boondockers.

Specs

• Dimension: 10 x 6.88 x 7.8 inches
• Weight: ‎43.5 pounds
• AH: 55
• Cycles: 14,000

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Battery for Your Camper Van

When choosing a battery for your camper van, there are several factors to consider. 

• Efficiency
• Power consumption
• Weight and size of the battery
• Safety
• Life Span
• Temperature

Efficiency

The efficiency of a camper van battery refers to how much energy the battery receives compared to how much it can put out. Typically, batteries cannot discharge as much as they charge.

For example: Let’s say that the battery charges to 100 watts (this is what the battery receives through charging it with something like solar panels). Most batteries you use store somewhere between 50% and 95% energy (meaning this is how much energy they can store and put out).

How Long Will a Camper Van Battery Last?

Typical camper van batteries can last anywhere between 2 and 8 years long. This number depends on use, brand of battery, storage, and maintenance.

More importantly, how many items can you power with your camper van battery? This number can be a bit tricky to figure out and is based on calculating how many appliances you have and how many amps they need to run.

Amp hours are used to describe a battery’s capacity. If your specific appliance runs off of 2 Amps, then the appliance will take away 2AH of your camper van’s battery every hour that it’s in use. 

You can save your battery for more important things by purchasing your lights as battery-operated, as in you use double A batteries to run them. You can also purchase appliances such as camper van heaters or kitchen items that are powered by propane. 

Weight and Size

Additionally, consider the weight of the battery.

If you plan on doing a lot of off-road camping, have a lot of equipment, or have heavy equipment, a lightweight battery will be beneficial. 

AGM batteries can weigh around 65 pounds (for 100Ah) and are some of the heaviest batteries for camper vans. Now compare that to a similar Lithium battery (100Ah) which is 25 pounds or less.

Most van lifers carry more than just one battery- imagine carrying 2 to 3 AGM batteries: that’s over 100 pounds! Lithium batteries deliver the same perks, but with less weight: and are therefore the best battery option for camper vans. 

Some batteries or their systems can take up a lot of space in the back of your camper van. Be sure to purchase a battery that can be placed in any position, that way, you can store it anywhere. 

Safety

Keep in mind that some batteries need to stay upright to prevent leaking. You can combat this issue by purchasing a battery that can be placed in any position, such as GEL batteries.

You also need to consider venting certain batteries, such as the AGM style. Even though it is unlikely for the battery to gas off, you still need to consider it COULD happen. Find an area in your camper van where you can easily vent your batteries or build compartment storage outside.

 Life Span

One thing to consider when choosing the perfect camper van battery is the life span of the battery itself. There are some things, like storing certain batteries only after they are fully charged, that will help maintain their lifetime. 

Batteries’ life span can be looked at through their charge cycles based on their DoD (depth of discharge). Use the chart below to help you understand how many charge cycles you can get according to the DoD.

Lithium (LiFePO4) Camper Van Batteries probably have the most amount of charge cycles of all the batteries we went over in this post. You can DoD anywhere from 50% to 80%. The lower the DoD the more available cycles you will have, consider the chart below.

50% DoD= 5000 available Cycles

70% DoD= 3000 available Cycles

80% DoD= 2,500 available cycles

Available Cycles of GEL Camper Van Batteries

50% DoD= 750 available cycles

80% DoD= 500 available cycles

Available Cycles of AGM Camper Van Batteries

30% DoD= 1500 available cycles

50% DoD= 600 available cycles

80% DoD= 400 available cycles

Temperature

Some camper van batteries, such as lead acid batteries, don’t cope well in low temperatures. Cold temperatures can drain lead acid batteries faster in freezing weather and kill your power supply.

If you are traveling in cold weather more often than not, I recommend getting a Lithium Ion battery for your cold weather camper van gear, which handles better in the cold. 

Battery Maintenance and Safety Tips for Camper Vans

Proper battery maintenance and safety are crucial to ensure the longevity and functionality of your camper van battery. 

1. Regularly check the battery’s voltage and electrolyte levels if you’re using an open lead acid battery.

2. Keep the battery clean and free from corrosion. If you’re using a VRLA battery, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for maintenance. 

3. It’s also important to use a battery monitor to keep track of the battery’s state of charge and prevent over-discharging. This step is really important because overcharging or discharging can result in a lower life span and fewer cycles.

Lastly, always follow safety guidelines when working with batteries. Wear protective gear and avoid short-circuiting the battery.

Concluding Thoughts on Camper Van Batteries

Choosing the best battery for your camper van is a crucial decision that will impact your camping experience. Consider the different types of batteries available, their pros and cons, and the factors that are important to you. 

Whether you opt for a lithium-ion battery, a deep cycle battery, a gel battery, or an AGM battery, make sure it meets your power requirements and is suitable for your camper van’s needs. 

With the right battery, you can enjoy your camping adventures without worrying about power supply issues.