What is a Dual-Purpose RV Battery?

Most people are aware that automotive batteries are used to power Starting, Lighting and Ignition (SLI), but some vehicles — including Recreational Vehicles (RVs) — also rely on batteries to power onboard equipment, accessories and devices. Cranking the battery powers the starter motor to enable the engine in the motorhome or tow vehicle to turn over, but starting batteries are easily run down and rely on an engine’s alternator to restore the charge. The unique power requirements of an RV also needs auxiliary power to support house loads — which include appliances and electronic devices, not limited to climate control, entertainment systems, stoves, microwaves, refrigerators, GPS and cell phone chargers.

Many RV enthusiasts spend significant time boondocking (without a shore power connection), sometimes in remote or difficult to access locations. It’s times like these where dependence on batteries is high — and durable, reliable batteries really earn their keep.

Additionally, RVs that are driven only seasonally or occasionally also must run after being idled and often unmaintained for a significant amount of time. These demands justify a premium product with greater power that also dependably supports house loads — especially when traveling in remote locations. Auxiliary power for house loads requires deep-cycling capability to provide a low, but sustained, current with intense discharges that would deplete a starting battery.

Dual-purpose batteries can produce both the Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) needed to start the engine and the longer and lower discharge rates that are needed for house loads. Most dual-purpose batteries use Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) technology, in which thin and absorbent fiberglass separators are saturated in electrolyte and compressed tightly between the battery’s positive and negative plates. AGM batteries are sealed to make them leak- and spill-proof, as well as virtually maintenance-free, as they do not require watering or changing.

Capable of operating at temperatures as low as -40°F (-40°C), TPPL technology enables ODYSSEY® batteries to provide dual-purpose service: CCA needed to start the engine dependably and deep-cycling reserve power, even when the engine is not running.

ODYSSEY® batteries for RVs can get campers to their destinations safely and reliably, even after long periods of storage. Their deep-cycling power also enables the comfort and convenience of the RV’s accessories and systems, especially when there is no grid connection. The dual-purpose capability provides campers with dependable starting and house load service.

To learn more about the dual-purpose performance and capabilities of ODYSSEY® batteries and follow the latest ODYSSEY® battery news, visit our website at www.odysseybattery.com or connect with us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

By the way: if you travel with powersports equipment — from motorcycles and ATVs to personal watercraft and snowmobiles — be sure to check out our lineup of powersports batteries. ODYSSEY® offers more than two dozen sizes that not only provide two times the power and three times the life of conventional batteries, but also are designed for extreme vibration resistance. See them all at www.odysseybattery.com/applications/powersports-batteries/.