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Recreational Vehicle (RV) enthusiasts who spend a majority of their time camped out in the boondocks for peace and tranquility often depend on an increasing number of house loads for added comfort and convenience.
Also commonly referred to as “hotel loads,” house loads can include anything from entertainment centers, appliances and climate control to state-of-the-art safety and security equipment. In theory, these added amenities are nice, but they require much more energy to ensure long-lasting, dependable operation. It’s times like this where reliance on the battery system is high because it’s not only responsible for keeping the various onboard electronics up and running but it also must get the RV started when it’s time to head back to the hustle and bustle of normal civilization.
To remain off-grid in contentment and have a truly authentic camping experience with minimal interruptions, consider the following three battery tips for RV boondocking:
1. Measure or calculate energy needed and understand the range (how that may change)
Extended boondocking is all about energy management. One of the important aspects to energy management is appropriately sizing the components. Evaluate the range and types of onboard accessories you’ll be utilizing during your trip to determine how much energy you’ll need. Most RVs have some form of energy storage integrated into the design in which the capacity can and will likely need to be modified.
2. Determine location of onboard components and balance out ROI based on usable space
Understanding where things will go, how much space they will take and what they cost relative to how much you will use them are the keys to a Return on Investment (ROI) in your energy storage and management. Additionally, not everyone who RVs boondocks, and it may be difficult to get any return when you go to upgrade your RV, so make sure you buy what you need and not a lot more.
3. Optimize between nominal use and worst case
Extending on the ideas above, determine if you really need to size for worst case or closer to nominal use (always size above nominal), as well as understanding alternatives, like using a stove top coffee maker versus an electric one can really save on the amount of power and energy required at the lowest energy reserve part of the day (morning). There are lots of areas where tradeoffs that improve reliability and reduce cost are possible and allow for minimized space consumption. One of those areas is battery chemistry choice. Thin Plate Pure Lead batteries, like the ODYSSEY® battery from EnerSys®, have great cyclability, great energy capacity, work with the existing RV electrical infrastructure, can be placed just about anywhere in the vehicle and have a great price point.
ODYSSEY® Dual Purpose batteries from EnerSys are engineered to provide deep-cycle reserve power (rated at 400 charge/discharge cycles to 80 percent Depth of Discharge DOD) and plenty of cranking capacity to start the engine. With up to a 10-year service life, ODYSSEY® RV batteries also offer slower self-discharge rates and are capable of 100 percent recharge in as little as four hours. Backed by an industry-leading warranty, they can be stored for two years at 77°F (25°C). They can also perform in extreme temperatures as low as -40°F (-40°C) to as high as 176°F (80°C).
If you’re planning an upcoming excursion where there is no grid connection, consider ODYSSEY® Dual Purpose RV batteries to help get you there reliably, keep you content throughout your stay and ultimately get you back on the road when it’s time to return home.
To follow the latest ODYSSEY® battery news, visit our website at www.odysseybattery.com or connect with us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook by using the hashtag #MYODYSSEY.
ABOUT ENERSYS®
EnerSys, the global leader in stored energy solutions for industrial applications, designs, manufactures and distributes energy systems solutions and motive power batteries, specialty batteries, battery chargers, power equipment, battery accessories and outdoor equipment enclosure solutions to customers worldwide. The company goes to market through four lines of business: Energy Systems, Motive Power, Specialty and New Ventures. Energy Systems, which combine power conversion, power distribution, energy storage, and enclosures, are used in the telecommunication, broadband and utility industries, uninterruptible power supplies, and numerous applications requiring stored energy solutions. Motive power batteries and chargers are utilized in electric forklift trucks and other industrial electric powered vehicles. Specialty batteries are used in aerospace and defense applications, large over-the-road trucks, premium automotive, medical and security systems applications. New Ventures provides energy storage and management systems for various applications including demand charge reduction, utility back-up power, and dynamic fast charging for electric vehicles. EnerSys also provides aftermarket and customer support services to its customers in over 100 countries through its sales and manufacturing locations around the world. More information regarding EnerSys can be found at www.enersys.com.
SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability at EnerSys is about more than just the benefits and impacts of our products. Our commitment to sustainability encompasses many important environmental, social and governance issues. Sustainability is a fundamental part of how we manage our own operations. Minimizing our environmental footprint is a priority. Sustainability is our commitment to our employees, our customers and the communities we serve. Our products facilitate positive environmental, social and economic impacts around the world. To learn more visit: https://www.enersys.com/en/about-us/sustainability/.