House battery

House batteries in an RV are dedicated to powering everything in the living area, like lights, appliances, and other electronics. These batteries are usually 12 volts DC . In some RVs, especially smaller ones, there might be just one house battery. But in many cases, there are multiple batteries connected in a parallel circuit. This setup keeps the voltage at 12 volts but increases the current, allowing for more power.

These house batteries are completely separate from the engine batteries of the RV. Engine batteries are used to start and operate the motor vehicle part of the RV – like the engine of a motorhome or the car or truck in tow vehicles and campers.

One key thing about RV house batteries is that they are ‘deep cycle’ batteries. This means they can be used more extensively and drawn down further before needing a recharge compared to regular car or truck batteries. However, for the best battery life, it’s recommended not to let the charge drop below 50% before recharging. Well-maintained deep cycle batteries can last up to ten years, while those that aren’t taken care of might only last a year or two.

Batteries are rated in ampere-hours. By multiplying this number by the battery voltage, you get watt-hours, which tells you how long you can run a specific load on these batteries.