A Class C RV is one of the most popular motorhome styles on the market today. They have the convenience of being self-contained, and you don’t need a tow vehicle. Most Class C motorhomes are typically shorter than most Class A motorhomes, making them more comfortable for the typical consumer to drive and park.
But as with most other RVs on the market, Class C RVs typically come with a less than optimal house battery. With everyone hyping up lithium batteries, the question then becomes, will lithium batteries work in my Class C RV?
Yes! Lithium batteries will work in a Class C RV. A 12V lithium battery will work in any situation calling for a 12V deep-cycle battery. But there are a few things you should know when considering a battery upgrade.
The average Class C motorhome comes with one 12V deep cycle, lead-acid battery rated at 80 amp-hours of power. This is a bit of a misnomer, however. While a lead-acid battery may be rated at 80 amp-hours, it suffers permanent damage if discharged below 50% of its capacity. So an 80-amp-hour lead-acid battery only has about 40 amp-hours of usable power.
Typically, a Class C RV has a battery bay you can access from the exterior of the rig. Though most Class C motorhomes come with a single battery, the bay is generally big enough to fit more than one battery, leaving room to upgrade a bank of batteries that work in tandem.
A Class C RV house battery powers 12V devices, such as interior lighting, water pumps, refrigerators, furnaces, overhead fans, and other appliances.
A Class C RV can rip through the typical lead-acid house battery rather quickly when you don’t have shore power. Even if you have a generator for recharging, that means it will likely be running for a few hours every day. Solar can be an option for recharging as well, although weather limits it.
A typical lead-acid house battery barely keeps up with minimal 12V applications, and it’s nearly useless if you want to operate 120V appliances like a coffee pot, microwave, blender, or air conditioner. These appliances would quickly use more power than the battery can supply.
Though a lead-acid battery can last three to five years, they degrade quickly if you’re constantly depleting and recharging them. Because most lithium batteries last 10 years or longer, it’s a considerable upgrade to most travel trailers.
→Find out more: The Truth About Lead-Acid Vs. Lithium Ion Batteries For RVs
We advise enlisting the help of a professional if you’re not confident in this project, but you might be able to do the upgrade from lead-acid to lithium batteries yourself.
This is particularly true if you buy them from a company such as Battle Born Batteries, where we strive to provide a tremendous amount of support from tutorials to custom-tailored assistance specific to your situation. Call us today at 855-292-2831 to talk to one of our customer service techs about your upgrade!
We’ve pointed out many of lead-acid batteries’ limitations. The good thing about lithium batteries is that just about everywhere that lead-acid falls short, lithium stands tall.
Many believe lithium batteries to be more expensive because they cost more initially than lead-acid batteries. However, when you factor in that lithium batteries can last three times longer or more than their lead-acid counterparts, they’re a much more cost-effective solution over the life of the batteries.
You might have considered lithium batteries a dangerous technology at one time. We’ve all heard the stories about a computer in someone’s carry-on luggage catching fire on an airplane.
However, those were infrequent occurrences that happened in the very early stages of lithium-ion. There have since been numerous advances that increased the safety of lithium batteries, which is especially so in RV lithium technology.
The most popular lithium technology for RV batteries (and what we use in our Battle Born Batteries) is lithium iron phosphate (or LiFePO4), which utilizes a lower energy density than other lithium-ion batteries, making them extremely resistant to thermal runaway. They also utilize a built-in battery management system that makes them even safer. LiFePO4 batteries are also non-toxic, so they’re easier to dispose of than lead-acid batteries.
→ Suggested Reading: How To Properly Dispose Of RV Lithium Batteries
Even a well-maintained lead-acid battery that you never discharge below 50% capacity might only last 500 to 800 charge/discharge cycles. You won’t damage a lithium battery by dipping below the 50% capacity threshold. Therefore, you have more readily available power, even when you repeatedly discharge it down to 20% capacity or below. A lithium battery lasts upwards of 5,000 cycles. That’s about 10 times the use of a lead-acid battery.
Since a lithium battery doesn’t have the 50% threshold for damage that a lead-acid battery does, it’s a much more efficient power source. You won’t damage the battery, even if you discharge it to 20 percent. However, most lithium batteries come with a power management system that will cut off power when you reach 20 percent to prevent you from completely draining the battery.
You could genuinely get 100 amp-hours out of a 100-amp-hour lithium battery. No lead-acid power bank can say that!
Because of the built-in battery management system, a lithium battery is maintenance free.
Compare that with a regular flooded lead-acid battery that either you or a professional must open and top off with water every so often, exposing you to corrosive acid. Even a sealed lead-acid battery needs constant monitoring to avoid discharging it too much.
As RVers know well, you must consider the weight of each item when driving a Class C RV. These homes-on-wheels are rated for safety based on the overall weight of the vehicle.
With a lithium battery being about half the weight of a similarly sized lead-acid battery, upgrading to lithium frees up weight for other items.
Since a lithium battery weighs less and operates more efficiently, you also need fewer batteries to provide the same amount of power. Good things come in lighter packages when it comes to RVing!
Here at Battle Born Batteries, we stand behind our products. We have a strong commitment to our customers with top-notch support, and each product is field-tested. You can’t go wrong with a Battle Born Battery in your Class C RV. Here’s the one we recommend you get:
The Battle Born 100 amp-hour, 12V LiFePO4 deep-cycle battery is our top choice for a Class C RV battery upgrade. This battery is a drop-in replacement for similarly sized lead-acid batteries, making it an easy swap. It measures 12.76 x 6.86 x 8.95 inches (L x W x H).
Because of the details of specific applications, the Battle Born battery may require certain components and/or programming, but it’s not difficult to do in a typical Class C RV.
It comes with a built-in battery management system, which makes the Battle Born hassle-free. It also weighs just 31 pounds, which will likely lower your rig’s overall weight.
It’s designed to last 3,000 to 5,000 cycles, at which point the battery will still hold 75% to 80% of its energy capacity. That should take most users beyond the 10-year mark, which is an incredible return on investment.
This battery also comes with Battle Born’s 10-year warranty, which includes eight years of full replacement coverage for any manufacturer’s defect and two years of prorated replacement coverage.
Looking for Inspiration? Check out The Endless Adventure’s Off-Grid Electrical Installation in their Class C RV:
Hopefully, this information has proven useful if you’re considering upgrading your Class C RV house battery from lead-acid to lithium. The advantages that lithium has over lead-acid make it a fairly easy decision! It will provide for many more hours of uninterrupted enjoyment and additional years without worrying about how much longer your battery might last.
We know that building or upgrading an electrical system can be overwhelming, so we’re here to help. Our Reno, Nevada-based sales and customer service team is standing by at (855) 292-2831 to take your questions!
Also, join us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to learn more about how lithium battery systems can power your lifestyle, see how others have built their systems, and gain the confidence to get out there and stay out there.
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18 thoughts on “Will Lithium Batteries Work in My Class C RV Motorhome?”
Is it ok to parallel a lead acid battery with a lithium iron battery? When my travel trailer is plugged in to my tow vehicle, the two batteries are parallel and being charged by the truck alternator. Comments?
Hello John! When connecting to a towable trailer(such as by a 7 pin connector) you typically get a low amount of charge into your lithium(aux) battery bank and an isolator or current regulating device is usually not necessary.
I have a 2018 Winnebago Navion. What are the absolute best House batteries so we can dry camp?
Hi Frank! Here is a link to the various deep cycle LiFePO4 house batteries that we offer: https://battlebornbatteries.com/product-category/all-batteries/lifepo4-batteries/
Can these be a drop in replacement for lead acid in a Class C where the charger isn’t listed as “lithium ready”? (2022 Jayco Greyhawk 29mv, I called them and they said “not lithium ready”)
Hi Mike. You would need a lithium compatible charger.
My Isata 3 RW 2019 is getting problems to keep the charge of the house batteries (type AGM) even they are less than 2 years old; and I’m considering to replace them with Lithium type. I’m looking for Battle Born 100 Amp/hr 12v LiFePO4. I’m learning that other components need to be switched for lithium configuration, such the Solar panel controller and the converter, but not sure about the BIM (battery isolator manager). Actually, in this case there are 2 components: a sealed Battery Isolation Manager and a Battery Isolator Relay. Please, let me know anything that needs to be checked or replaced for that replacement. Also, I would like to know authorized services you may have in this area (ZIP 33467) to carry over this job. Thank you
Hi! Depending on what additional components you have and what settings they have, will determine whether or not they need to be switched to support our batteries. Our technical sales team would be happy to help you configure your system and you can reach them at (855) 292-2831 (M-F 8:00am-4:30pm (PST)) or by emailing [email protected]. As a far as an installer, the nearest one to your area, that we recommend, is Gerzeny’s RV World in Nokomis, FL. Here is the link to their website for more information: https://www.gerzenysrvworld.com/
Can you please provide me with a list of specific parts and a diagram for upgrading the battery system in a Winnebago Vita (class C, MB sprinter based) motorhome to lithium batteries, including the addition of a DC-DC charger, to prevent damage to the alternator?
Hi Adam. Our technical sales team would be happy to help you with that! You can reach them at (855) 292-2831 (M-F 8:00am-4:30pm (PST)) or by emailing [email protected]
Class C’s often have their house batteries located under the stairs which is somewhat exposed from underneath. Is cold weather a concern? Are the batteries with heaters included sufficient? Do they need to be moved into a storage compartment where they would be less exposed?
Battle Born Batteries protect themselves from charging in cold temperatures and won’t accept a charge once the internal cell temperature drops to 24°F. At this point, they will continue to discharge even down to -4°F. Our heated batteries ensure the battery temperature stays at 35°F, allowing them to charge and discharge easily in cold weather.
would like to get solar power and have it installed on my 2018 thor motorhome,can you help with purchase and installation
Hi Bobby. Our technical sales team would be happy to assist you with your order and help you find an installer. You can reach them at (855) 292-2831 (M-F 8:00 am – 4:30 pm (PST)).
How about the CCA required to start my 3500w generator? Will the 12v 100amh do the job?
Hi Dennis. Our batteries are not approved for cold cranking applications.
Hello,
Do you have any installers to recommend in the 92508 zip code? We have a Thor Four Winds 27R and would like to switch to lithium batteries. We do have one 100W solar panel with a 10 amp GoPower Solar Charge controller that came preinstalled on the unit. Would we need a different solar controller or is this one ok? My husband is perfectly comfortable with just switching out batteries, but no reconfiguring anything. If nothing needs to be reconfigured, where can we purchase a battery? Also, we do start our Onan generator from the house batteries, will that still work with Battle Born batteries?
Hi. Our technical sales team would love to answer your questions and assist you with your purchase! You can reach them at (855) 292-2831. Check out our list of certified dealers and installers here: https://battlebornbatteries.com/find-a-certified-dealer-installer/