12V RV Battery: Series or Parallel

RVs come in many shapes and sizes, meant to suit a wide range of family sizes and travel plans. Of course, the type of traveling you do will also influence the type of batteries you need to keep your RV powered while you're on the go. There are a few different battery configurations that you can choose from to ensure that you have enough power to get you through your travels. Here are a few questions you should be asking while you shop. 

How Long Will You Be On the Road? 

Your 12V RV battery will be your primary source of power when you are driving or stopped in a place without a proper plug-in. If you are traveling with family or you have a lot of devices to power, you need to be sure that your batteries will hold up for the long stretches when you can't plug in. If you prefer traveling between camping spots with plenty of infrastructure, you might need less battery life to get by, which means you can save some money and space on batteries. If you know that you will be effectively off the grid for long stretches, you will want to make sure that you have your 12V RV Batteries wired in parallel. A parallel configuration keeps the voltage steady at 12V, but increases the amount of time that you have available. Thus, a parallel arrangement can provide lower power for a full day or more. 

How Much Power Is Required? 

In some cases, you may find that you need additional voltage for short periods of time. If this is the case, it is possible to connect more than one 12V RV Battery in series to create a 24V arrangement. However, this arrangement will not extend the battery life if you're pulling 24V. Instead, it will discharge both 12V batteries at the same rate. Most RVs do not have a need for batteries in series unless you have added equipment that draws more energy than normal. 

Where Can You Conserve Energy? 

Another important consideration is where and when you can conserve energy. RVs have many appliances that can be switched on and off independently, so that you are only using them when absolutely necessary. In addition, refrigeration units can be turned down to a minimum setting to prevent waste, or switched over to propane to cut down even further. Keeping your batteries fully charged between moves, keeping lights off, and keeping your power inverter off when not in use are other great ways to extend the life of your batteries as long as possible. 

You can set up your RV to fit any travel plan, but you should always make sure that your batteries are in the correct configuration before you go. If you are unfamiliar with the power demands of your RV, it is best to speak with a battery expert who can walk you through the wiring schematics for your model and assess any additional equipment that may be of concern. To learn more about 12V RV Battery options, contact MK Battery today.