There’s a lot of talk about lithium RV batteries, and with good reason. RV lithium batteries are rechargeable 12-volt batteries that have become a popular alternative to lead-acid batteries, particularly for RVers who spend a lot of time off the grid and/or who use solar power. RV lithium batteries are based on a newer, more …
If you’ve ever found yourself asking the question, “Why does my RV battery keep dying?”, then this post is for you. And actually – this post is for every RVer with a battery! Proper care and maintenance is important for all sorts of reasons, not the least of which is to preserve the integrity of …
When we hear the term “thermal runaway,” it’s generally associated with lithium batteries. But what is thermal runaway, and how (and why) does it occur? We’ve all heard stories about lithium batteries catching fire or exploding in smartphones, laptops, and even electric cars. But what factors lead to this reaction? And is it a danger …
Today we’re investigating the function of a battery management system. Most of us are familiar with lead-acid batteries. They’ve been around since the mid-1800s, so they’re certainly time-tested. But they’re heavy, they require regular maintenance, and even with that, they don’t last as long as newer technology… such as that found in lithium-ion batteries. Lithium …
We’ve never been shy about saying how much we love boondocking. It’s far and away our favorite way to camp, and we’ve long encouraged everyone to try it. One of the main reasons why many people are intimidated by the idea of boondocking is the limitation on power. We get that – we’re fairly big …
As we head into the season when many (but not all!) RVers store their rigs for the winter, this is a good time to create a post about the RV battery disconnect switch – an easy, inexpensive way to preserve the life and good health of RV batteries. Let’s get right to it before the …
Many RVers wonder about the possibility of using solar power for an RV air conditioner. After all, solar power is a tremendous benefit to RVers looking to sustainably power electronics, appliances, and devices by harnessing the awesome power of the sun. We love our RV solar system. As longtime boondockers, we’ve enjoyed the benefits of …
One of RVing’s most common questions, particularly from those considering off-grid camping, is “Are RV Lithium Batteries worth it?” Even experienced RVers have had a tough time determining whether the investment will pay off. “Should I just stick with the lead-acid batteries that came with the rig, or will it be a meaningful upgrade to …
As featured speakers at the 2019 Xscapers Annual Bash in Lake Havasu City, AZ, our presentation was all about RV Batteries – Flooded vs. AGM vs Lithium. Thanks to Xscapers for inviting us to speak their biggest convergence of the year. We hope this information helps fellow RVers understand the pros and cons of each …
We generally do our own RV mods, and shoot all of our own video footage. But Xantrex did our lithium installation, and interviewed us, too. For a change it felt nice to sit back and let someone else do the camera work and ask the questions! ? We wanted to share these short videos (about …
If you’ve been watching our video series about upgrading our batteries and electrical system, you’ll surely want to see our first update on how things are going so far. We’ve been putting the systems through their paces for the past 3 1/2 months, and it’s time to share our first impressions of what it’s like… …
It’s time to install our new power cord reel, plus we’re excited to announce that Glendinning has agreed to become the latest manufacturer of fine RV gear to be added to our Discounts page, offering special savings on the same CRMA50-12-RV50 power cord reel that we’re installing in our RV. Glendinning coupon code RVGEEKS saves …
The big day we’ve all been eagerly awaiting has finally arrived. We’re at Xantrex headquarters in Burnaby British Columbia for the installation of our Freedom e-GEN Lithium Battery system! After months of planning and preparation, we’re so excited to be here, and to share this with you. This isn’t a DIY project, so the system …
We’ve had flawless service from our Glendinning power cord reel for the past 13 years. But now that we need more space in the electrical compartment, we’re switching to one of their newer models that takes up less room. An added bonus is that we’ll be gaining 15 ‘ of extra cord! Check out the …
In Part 2 of our battery & electrical upgrade project, we’ll be removing the battery tray, getting it cut in two and welded back together… just a little wider. While the Xantrex e-GEN lithium battery is over 100 lbs lighter than the four AGM house batteries it will replace, it’s about 3″ wider. Newmar had …
Major RV Project Announcement: We’re upgrading our RV to lithium house batteries and AGM chassis batteries, while re-vamping and upgrading our electrical compartment. This is the official project intro, to be followed by a series of videos detailing the various steps in the project, as well as our experience using and living with the new …