When we started our solar powered journey in 2012, nearly every off-grid RVer we met bragged about their 6V lead acid golf cart batteries (around 60 pounds each!) and the gas generator they used to recharge them. In just over a decade, these conversations have completely changed, and so has the technology fueling them. Today, deep cycle RV and marine batteries offer significantly more capacity, charge faster, last 5-10x longer, are safer to use, and weigh in at a fraction of those ancient, golf cart behemoths.
We jumped on board with LiFePO4 batteries in 2019 and haven’t looked back to lead acid…not even once. Our two12V-100Ah Smart Lithium Iron Phosphate Self-Heating batteries power our off-grid rolling home and mobile business like a dream! Need help with sizing your own solar powered system? Our NEW video will walk you through it!
You may have heard a rumor that LiFePO4 batteries are too expensive. Like any new product that hits the market, prices start out high then begin to drop. In 2019, Renogy offered just a couple of different LiFePO4 battery options and the prices were upwards of $1200 for a single 12V-100Ah battery. After a couple of years, the options within their LFP line-up (as well as the features) increased and the prices began dropping. Today, Renogy offers 13 different LFP batteries with voltage options ranging from 12V to 48V and amp hours from 25Ah to 400Ah. The price of most LFP batteries have dropped by half of what they were in 2019! There are now LFP batteries to fit just about every lifestyle and budget.
If you have just started your research on deep cycle RV batteries, the charts in this blog will help you quickly compare the specs of various Renogy LiFePO4 batteries in one place, and the questions will help you narrow down the style that’s right for you.
Let’s start off by looking at 4 of Renogy’s 12V-100Ah Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries side-by-side to compare the differences in their unique features.
How is Lithium Iron Phosphate Different?
Simply put, a deep cycle RV battery is designed to cycle from a full charge to a specific safe depth of discharge and back to full charge several thousand times, and can be charged and recharged in a variety of ways including solar panels, DC to DC chargers, AC to DC chargers, inverter chargers, converters, and yes, even gas generators. Lithium Iron Phosphate is a newer technology for deep cycle batteries that differs from the Lithium Ion batteries commonly found in hand-held electronics. The LFP chemistry is much more stable, and virtually maintenance free. These batteries are not prone to overheating, and the internal computerized BMS (Battery Management System) provides protection against over / under charging, reverse polarity and temperature challenges. Because they will not off-gas, the options for installation can include the living space of your RV, van, boat, or off-grid home. With a decade or more of life expectancy and higher charging / discharging rates, these batteries represent an upfront investment that pays off within just a few years – all of this at almost a third of the weight of traditional lead acid. Before diving into specific questions, take a look at this complete chart of ALL Renogy Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries to review which batteries are available.
Which Deep Cycle Battery is Best for Your Rig & Lifestyle?
Once you have determined your average daily total watt hours using our Solar System Sizing Worksheet and have determined how many amp hours of batteries you need to meet your energy demands (see video above), it’s time to choose WHICH deep cycle batteries are best for you. Start by asking yourself these 3 questions…
- How much space do you have for your battery installation and is weight a factor?
At 23-27 lbs for 100Ah, LiFePO4 batteries weigh significantly less than other deep cycle batteries. Compare that to AGM and gel which weigh 64 lbs each for 12V-100Ah! While each LFP battery has slightly different dimensions, overall LFP is smaller, lighter, and more energy dense than any other type of battery.
- Where will you install your batteries?
Unlike flooded lead acid batteries, LiFePO4 can be safely installed inside your camper, boat or living space, as they will not off-gas and can be installed in a variety of orientations (e.g., on their side). Installing them Inside keeps them safer, warmer in the winter / cooler in the summer, and can simplify the wiring for the battery installation.
- How long do you plan to use these batteries and how frequently?
If you are going to live full-time (or even part-time) in an off-grid home, and plan to use the batteries for many years, you definitely want to consider LiFePO4 for your RV, boat, or off-grid cabin. LFP has 5-10x the potential lifespan of any lead acid batteries.
If you’ve decided that LiFePO4 is best for you, ask yourself these 3 important questions to determine which STYLE you need.
Are you planning to run higher wattage appliances with your batteries or just some simple 12V appliances?
Different batteries offer different discharging rates which can affect those who are planning to run many higher wattage appliances at the same time. The higher the discharge rate, the greater the flow of energy out of the battery. Renogy’s new release collection of 12V - 48V CORE and 12V PRO series batteries offer higher maximum continuous charging and discharging rates.
What system voltage are you trying to achieve – 12V, 24V, 36V, or 48V?
In order to create a battery bank higher than 12V, you’ll need to either purchase higher voltage batteries (24V or 48V) or buy 12V LFPs specifically designed to be wired in series. Renogy’s latest CORE series LiFePO4 batteries are designed specifically for series connections or even a combination of series-parallel. Or, you may consider a 24V or 48V battery such as the 24V-200Ah CORE or 48V-50Ah Smart LFP.
What is the lowest possible temperature in which you will use the batteries?
Many of Renogy’s Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries such as the 12-100Ah PRO or the 12V-400Ah REGO include an automatic self-heating function to handle any cold challenge! Check out this video to see how self-heating LFP batteries work.
If you are considering higher-capacity LiFePO4 batteries such as the 24V-200Ah CORE LT or 48V-50Ah, check out this chart for a side-by-side comparison of these features.
To appropriately monitor LiFePO4 batteries, and your entire system, Renogy offers several options including their new wireless Renogy ONE series, including the M1 and Core models. Connection to this latest generation of solar monitors is through built-in Bluetooth, Bluetooth Modules, or the Renogy Battery Shunt 300 (for all Basic and CORE battery models). The shunt is also compatible with all other deep cycle batteries, including lead acid or non-Renogy LFP. We’ve tested all monitoring methods with great success!
We hope these charts assist you in finding a battery that is best for your lifestyle, energy needs, climate, budget, and more. If you need further explanation or help with troubleshooting your solar installation, give us a shout! We are Solar Coaches and love to help people get started. Please contact us via our website at Freedom in a Can.
In 2012, Shari Galiardi & David Hutchison left behind careers and a comfortable home in North Carolina to travel with the vintage camper trailer they lovingly restored, outfitted with solar, and named "Hamlet." What began as a short break from careers and responsibility quickly turned into a love affair with roadlife. They have parlayed their higher education backgrounds, desire for life-long learning, and thirst for adventure travel into writing, photography, video production, and public speaking gigs from coast to coast. Known to their friends as simply Shari & Hutch, you can learn more about their full-time, solar-powered adventures on their website at freedominacan.com. Or, follow them onFacebook,Instagram, andYouTubeas “Freedom in a Can, LLC.”
