How Long Does It Take To Charge An RV Battery?

If your RV camper battery is running low or is dead then you might be wondering how long it will take to charge the RV battery.

Knowing how long it will take to charge an RV camper battery is crucial so that you can plan ahead and not be left stuck and waiting for the battery to charge.

Depending upon how low the battery level is, it will take at least 10 hours to charge your RV battery. If the battery level is well below 50% and you want to charge it to 100%, you could be looking at up to 24 hours or longer to complete the charge.

It is critical to know how long it takes to charge an RV battery so that when your battery is beginning to run low, you can prepare ahead of time to start charging it.

The last thing you want is for your RV battery to die and to be stranded without a way to charge it. The information in the article below has been reviewed by people with years of experience in the RV industry and will ensure that you know how long it takes to charge your RV battery as well as the different ways to charge it.

‍What Does An RV Battery Do?

If your RV is not hooked up to an external power source then it will utilize the batteries inside to power anything you need to use that utilizes electricity.

Most RVs come with a 12 volt DC battery and 120 volt AC battery system as well. The 12 volt battery system will only power smaller appliances and lights within the RV and the 120 volt battery will power the larger appliances and items within the RV.

The 12 volt battery will power essentials such as the water pump, lights, and refrigerators. However, the 120 volt battery will power things such as the TV, the roof AC units, and appliances such as a coffee maker. The 120 volt battery will help to operate the things that you would typically find in a home.

How Long Does It Take To Charge An RV Battery?

Depending on the amount of charge that is left in the battery, it can take potentially 10 hours or more to charge the RV battery. If the battery is very low and you want to charge it to a full 100% then it can take 24 hours or longer to get a full charge.

The RV battery can be charged in a variety of ways. The most common way to charge an RV battery is by plugging into a 120 volt power source. This will allow the battery to immediately begin charging. If you are camping at a place that has hookups then it is a great idea to plug the RV in so you can use that power and charge the RV’s battery at the same time if needed.

An RV battery can also be charged using an external “smart” battery charger. The battery charger will be plugged into the 120 volt electrical outlet and this can significantly decrease the amount of time needed to charge the RV battery.

A generator can also be used to charge the battery in an RV. You will simply need to plug the RV power cable into the generator and then turn on the generator. If the generator has an outlet other than a 120 volt, then you will need an adapter.

One of the less common ways to charge an RV battery is using solar power. You can have your RV set up to be solar powered, which can be quite expensive. However, for some people it is worth it because you can power your RV and charge your battery without needing any sort of power source, whether that is an actual electrical outlet or a generator.

Types of RV Batteries

Deep Cycle Battery

The most common type of battery that you will find in an RV is a deep cycle battery. It is a lead-acid battery. The deep cycle battery is intended to be used for extended time periods. It is similar to a car battery and uses the same chemistry. These are commonly used in RVs because they produce a steady current for a long period of time.

Lithium Battery

Some RV owners will choose to have lithium batteries in their RV or camper. Lithium batteries can be quite costly in comparison to a deep cycle battery, but they do offer benefits that some RV owners deem worthwhile.

Lithium batteries are smaller, more lightweight, and do not require in depth maintenance that certain types of deep cycle batteries require. They also have a much longer lifespan of 5,000 cycles versus the 400 cycles that a deep cycle battery will offer. RV owners that choose to have solar power generation rigged in their RV will typically choose to also utilize lithium batteries.

Generators For An RV

Many people that have RVs and campers will choose to invest in a generator. A generator is a great way to power your RV regardless if you have an electrical outlet available to you or not.

With a generator, you can power anything within your RV including all appliances, the air conditioner, and your water system. Not only can you power your entire RV with a generator, but you can also use the generator to charge your RV battery.

Amperage

When shopping for RV generators, you will most likely see different amperages. This means the amount of current that is flowing in a wire or conductor. Typically with an RV, you will have wiring for 30 or 50 amp power.

Voltage

Voltage means the electrical potential that is present. An RV will have 120 voltage when it is running from any sort of shore power or generator. When the RV is powering from the battery it is running off of 12 volts.

Wattage

The wattage or watts is the simple act of multiplying voltage and amps. It is good to know when you are shopping for generators so you can find out what wattage will work best for your RV or camper.

There are a few common types of generators that people will purchase to use with their RV or camper. What type you choose to purchase will depend upon your RV size and your personal preferences.

Liquid Propane and Gasoline

Liquid propane and gasoline generators are similar. They tend to be less costly than a diesel generator and are usually smaller and lightweight. This makes them an ideal choice for someone that may have a smaller RV or camper that they want a generator for. Liquid propane and gasoline generators also have less fumes and exhaust than a diesel generator will.

Diesel

Diesel generators are more expensive and usually larger than liquid propane or gasoline generators, but they typically have a longer lifespan. Along with having a longer lifespan, some people choose a diesel generator due to them consuming less fuel, which can be more cost effective.