I did something wrong in my Camper!

I did something wrong in my Camper and I’m happy to share with you how I actually managed to fix that – spoiler alert it is all about LiFePo4 batteries and physical health.

Going off-grid?

Here is the thing, when you have a mobile home it is a good idea to have some sort of autonomy for several days. That means to have some water and electricity off grid. For the water you need reservoirs and for the electricity you need batteries – simple as that.

And here I’m not talking about the batteries that help you start the engine, to turn on headlights and so on.

Although these starter batteries are important, they are irrelevant for the Home part of the mobile home. For that part you need other and usually bigger batteries.

And while for the water reservoirs the most important factor is their physical size for the batteries, bigger size is not always better. Although, the batteries looks pretty much the same from the outside, they are using different technology and chemistry inside making them quite diverse. 

The Limitations of Lead-Acid Batteries

Let me explain, until now I had 2x6V lead acid batteries each of them was about 220Ah and each weighted around 26kg. They were connected in a chain and that totals 12v, around 440Ah and around 54kg of weight.

The lead acid batteries are probably the cheapest option for the campers and their homes on the market and this is their biggest benefit, but as you might expect they have some drawbacks actually a lot of drawbacks such as: 

• Not very long lifespan.
• They can be discharged to around 50% of their capacity
• up to 800 recharge cycles,
• they are a lot heavier
• and the most important drawback to me thing is that they are not so health and eco-friendly.

The Lead-acid (FLA) batteries can emit colourless toxic gases and I think I was able to sense that. When I open the cover of the batteries and especially when they are actively charging and it is hot outside I felt like I’m breathing some sort of invisible poison and it was not a pleasant experience and I’m sure it is not a healthy one.

On top, these types of batteries tend to explode when overcharged or if they are defective. Additionally, the battery compartment in my Camper is under one of the beds. So, sleeping over a poison emitting thing that potentially can explode is not good don’t you think?

Transitioning to LiFePO4 Batteries: The Game-Changer

All of that, was a clear sign to me that I need to change that as soon as possible and here comes the Redodo and their lithium iron phosphate batteries or LiFePO4 for short. I will share in details later why I choose exactly Redodo batteries. 

Benefits of LiFePO4 Batteries: Safety First

LiFePO4 batteries have so many advantages that if I list them all I will sound like a battery sales representative. Instead, I will share the most important ones to me as well as their drawbacks.

• LiFePO4 batteries store more energy in a smaller package.
• Redodo LiFePO4 batteries this is the brand that I choose have an Internal Battery Management System or BMS for short. This system is embedded and always keeping an eye on the battery cells, making sure they’re all playing nice together. It measures current, voltage, and temperature to ensure optimal operation and safety. That BMS It’s like a guardian, preventing overcharging, over-voltage, over-current, and cell imbalance. This superheroic feature ensures your battery stays in peak condition for a longer period. 
• Next, big benefit of the LiFePO4 batteries is that they can be discharged to 100%
• They are considered much safer than some other lithium-ion types and especially than the lead-acid batteries that I previously had. Finally, I don’t need to worry about invisible poisonous gasses, overheating or potential explosions anymore. 
• In terms of longevity, these lithium batteries are real champs! They can handle with ease 3,000 cycles  and some can even hit 10,000 cycles while maintaining 80% capacity. That’s some serious numbers having in mind that my previous batteries can handle up to 800 cycles with 50% discharge!

To put these numbers into a time perspective: a lead acid RV battery will last 2, 3 or maximum 5 years; a lithium iron phosphate RV battery on the other hand can last 10 years or more.

Drawbacks of LiFePO4 Batteries

LiFePo4 batteries might be a bit pricier upfront compared to other types, but they play for the long game. With their extended service life and high discharge capabilities, they end up being more cost-effective.

Remember that a lead-acid battery only lasts a few years, while lithium batteries can last a decade or more. Over the same time span, you’ll likely spend the same amount or even more, replacing your lead acid batteries every few years.

Choosing Redodo: The Collaborative Connection

And while we still talking about the price I will pull out an Ace out of my sleeve and I will share why I choose Redodo LiFePO4 batteries? It is a fun story as I was determined to get a LiFePO4 battery and to stop poisoning me and my family with the not very safe at least for me lead acid batteries.

I was not in a super hurry, must buy now mode as we are currently in a not so active Camper season at the moment, so I was looking for some kind of discount or promotional battery offer. In this exact moment Redodo contacted me and offered a collaboration. Now, don’t tell me that this is just a coincidence.

Anyways, I reviewed their site, products & prices and I happily agreed about the collaboration. I honestly don’t know how they manage to achieve the LiFePO4 technology on these low prices. They are way lower than the other brands that I reviewed so far and they have the same or better parameters. 

• Check their current prices – https://www.redodopower.de/?ref=2itt1on6
• 5% Universal Discount Code: KIRILPEYANSKI

The Redodo Battery: A Closer Look

The Redodo battery that I choose to get is 200Ah and it weights only 20.8kg that is lower than just one of my lead acid batteries that I had and I had two remember? That Redodo battery completely substituted my other batteries and it is lighter, safer and can store same energy or almost the same. 

• The battery that I got is Redodo 12V 200Ah Plus – https://bit.ly/47txRYC
• 5% Universal Discount Code: KIRILPEYANSKI

The Future? Assessing Long-Term Performance

Now, I have one question that still remains open. And the question is – is the Redodo battery that I’m proudly have now gonna last as much as the others more expensive LiFePO4 batteries, that means around 10 years? I guess only the time will tell that and I promise to let you know by updating this article if I have any issues with the Redodo battery.

Joining the Upgrade Party

Meanwhile, if you decide to join the party you can use the affiliate link below where you can check the current promotional Redodo offers.

• Redodo (official site): https://www.redodopower.de/?ref=2itt1on6
• 12V 200Ah Plus battery: https://bit.ly/47txRYC
• 5% Universal Discount: KIRILPEYANSKI

I’m Kiril, check my Camper articles and stay charged!