What happens when a battery scientist, music lover, and RV industry innovator steps behind the mic? You get one of the most insightful episodes of the RV Life Podcast to date.

In the recent episode titled “Lithium Batteries for RVs: What You Need to Know with Dragonfly Energy”, host Patti Hunt sits down with Dragonfly Energy CEO and Battle Born Batteries founder Dr. Denis Phares to talk all things off-grid power, safety, and the growing impact of lithium technology on the RV lifestyle. Whether you’re new to RVing, upgrading your rig, or a full-time boondocker chasing new horizons, this episode is a must-listen.

From Physics to Powering the Open Road

Dr. Denis Phares’ journey is anything but conventional. From his early days as a physics professor and musician in Los Angeles to founding Dragonfly Energy and launching the Battle Born Batteries brand, Denis has always followed a spark of curiosity, and it’s led to game-changing innovation in lithium battery systems.

When he founded Dragonfly Energy in 2012, lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery technology was still new and often misunderstood. But Denis saw a better way to power life off the grid. His team hit the road, meeting RVers where they were, at rallies, in the desert, and everywhere in between, to share how lightweight, reliable lithium batteries could change the way people experience RVing.

What RVers Need to Know About Lithium Power

During the episode, Denis shares practical insights RVers can use right now:

• It’s not just about batteries. A reliable RV power setup means thinking about your entire system, including chargers, inverters, solar panels, and wiring. Battle Born’s tech support team helps guide customers through that process with one-on-one expertise.

• Safety starts with chemistry. Battle Born Batteries use lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4), a safer, more thermally stable chemistry than other lithium-ion formats. They’re also UL-listed and assembled in Reno, Nevada with strict quality control and built-in protections like low-temperature cutoff from a proprietary BMS and internal heating options.

• Long-term value matters. While lithium batteries have a higher upfront cost, their lifespan (thousands of charge cycles) and performance easily outweigh lead-acid alternatives. “Cost of ownership is where lithium really wins,” Denis explains.

• Smart technology is the future. With the launch of Dragonfly IntelLigence, Battle Born Batteries are entering a new era of connectivity. RVers can now monitor and manage their smart battery systems in real time through a robust wireless mesh network and CAN bus integration.

From the Stage to the Circuit

In a lighter moment, Denis also shares his musical roots, and how that helped inspire the early use cases for Battle Born power. From there, he pivoted to something with a much bigger impact: helping RVers ditch noisy generators and power their lives with clean, efficient lithium systems.

One of Denis’ favorite projects? Powering the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus, a mobile recording studio that travels the country teaching music and media production to students in underserved communities. “As a longtime Beatles fan, that one hit home,” he says.

Looking Ahead: Onshoring Cell Production & Solid State Innovation

In addition to discussing the current state of lithium RV power, Denis gave a glimpse into the future of Dragonfly Energy. The company is actively working to onshore lithium cell production in the U.S. using a patented dry electrode process, which is a cleaner, more cost-effective manufacturing method.

And then on the horizon is solid state batteries that eliminate flammable liquid electrolytes altogether. “It’s the next step in making battery systems safer, more compact, and more scalable,” Denis explains. With global patents already in place, Dragonfly Energy is positioned to lead the transition.

Listen to the Full Episode

You can listen to “Lithium Batteries for RVs: What You Need to Know with Dragonfly Energy” now on the RV Life Podcast.