A good caravan battery is one of the most essential accessories you can buy.
These days we use more electrical devices than ever before. That’s why you need a decent leisure battery that can handle all of your devices and appliances. There are different types of batteries like lithium or gel that offer various levels of performance.
Without the right knowledge behind you, it’s easy to feel intimidated by all of the jargon and technical details. Don’t worry, I’m here to help you choose the best caravan battery for your needs.
It can be difficult to know where to start so let’s look at a variety of models. Check out the table and guide below.
| Enerdrive eLITE 12V 100Ah Lithium Battery | Baintech 12V 75Ah Slimline Lithium Battery | Camec 100Ah SLA AGM Battery | Sphere 12V Valve Regulated AGM Rechargeable Battery 100Ah | Power-Sonic 12V 100Ah Gel Deep Cycle Battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best LITHIUM  |  |  | BEST AGM  |  | |
*Using coupon CRCSAVE20 | *Using coupon CRCSAVE20 | *Using coupon CRCSAVE20 | *Using coupon CRCSAVE20 | ||
100Ah | 75Ah | 100Ah | 100Ah | 100Ah | |
Lithium | Lithium | AGM | AGM | Gel Deep Cycle | |
310 x 170 x 236mm | 635 x 265 x 50mm | 306 x 169 x 210mm | 307 x 168 x 211mm | 330 x 173 x 212mm | |
12 kg | 8kg | 25.5kg | 28kg | 30.5kg | |
5 years | 5 years | 26 months | 3 years | 18 months |
Best Caravan Batteries Australia
Enerdrive eLITE 12V 100Ah Lithium Battery
Best Lithium Option
The Enerdrive eLite is one of the most powerful batteries available today.
This lithium battery for caravans is exceptionally light and compact. It weighs just 12kg but it doesn’t compromise output because it’s exceptional.
Enerdrive claims that it’s 50% lighter and 30% smaller than its equivalent lead cousin. There’s no denying that this is one of the most appealing features of this caravan battery.
The 100Ah battery can handle a maximum inverter capacity of 1,000W. It’s recommended not to use more than two eLite caravan batteries together because there’s a greater risk of them overloading
It also comes with an internal Battery Management System. This enables the user to monitor and configure each cell within the battery for optimum performance. In short, it’s a very high-tech piece of kit!
However, it’s also unquestionably expensive. At almost $1,000 it’s one of the most expensive batteries in this guide. That may put it out of reach of some potential customers but it does come with an outstanding five-year warranty.
This is the best lithium battery for caravans.
Want more information on this unit? Check out this Enerdrive Lithium Battery review!
Baintech 12V 75Ah Slimline Lithium Battery
Runner Up
Another phenomenal lithium battery for caravans, this Baintech model is up there with the best.
As the name suggests, it’s one of the slimmest batteries on the market. While the Enerdive is more compact overall, the Baintech is a thinner product. It also weighs far less at just 8kg so you almost don’t have to think about it.
Designed in Australia, this caravan battery provides up to 75Ah of continuous discharge. It can also be used in parallel with another battery. Furthermore, it has excellent safety ratings as well as a battery management system.
But there are a couple of negatives.
Firstly, the nominal capacity is just 75Ah.
It’s also around the same price as the Enerdrive at about $1,000, with the same five-year warranty. However, as we saw, the Enerdrive has a nominal capacity of 100Ah, so unless you have a strong preference for a slim battery, the Enerdrive is better value.
Camec 100Ah SLA AGM Battery
Honourable Mention
This Camec 100Ah battery is at the other end of the spectrum.
Made in Australia, this deep-cycle caravan battery is a lot cheaper than the previous batteries. You can find it for as cheap as $250 which is a massive saving. But Camec doesn’t compromise on quality.
They promise that this battery is maintenance-free and made to Australian safety standards.
It’s also completely sealed. This is great because it’s possible to mount it at various angles. Furthermore, they come with extra thick lead plates. These are vibration resistant which is ideal if you are going off the grid on rugged terrain.
Camec guarantees that the battery will supply 100Ah over 20 hours (the standard testing period).
Meanwhile, they say that it can also supply up to 130AH for up to 30 hours if measurements continue. In short, it’s a highly effective deep-cycle battery.
One downside is that it comes with a shorter warranty than most other respected brands. A lot of competitors are offering three to five years.
Nonetheless, this is a great product.
Sphere 12V Valve Regulated AGM Rechargeable Battery 100Ah
Best AGM Option
The Sphere 12 Valve Regulated AGM Rechargeable Battery is a highly-effective unit.
Similar to the Camec, it’s leak and spill-proof. Furthermore, it’s maintenance-free for your convenience. According to the manufacturer, this battery is safe for the environment and has a lifespan of at least 10 years.
With a normal capacity of 100Ah and a nominal voltage of 12V, it’s a conventional model.
It also has an operating temperature range of -15 to +40 degrees Celsius so it’s perfect for all but the hottest of Australian weather conditions. The max discharge current is 1,200A over a period of 5 seconds. You can keep it as a backup power source or use it every day.
There aren’t many negatives at all.
If we’re being picky, we can point out that it’s a hefty battery at 28kg. This is something to bear in mind when it comes to your payload.
However, overall this may be the best AGM battery for caravans you’ll find.
Power-Sonic 12V 100Ah Gel Deep Cycle Battery
Honourable Mention
Now let’s look at the final battery in this guide.
This deep cycle battery for caravans has many advanced features. It has thixotropic gel electrolytes that maximize its performance output. Power-Sonic believes that this allows for a quicker recovery from deep discharge.
They also claim that it has a superior cyclic life than AGM alternatives. Perhaps that’s why it’s more expensive with a price tag of almost $400. It’s not cheap in comparison to the previous couple of batteries we’ve looked at.
It does have a hardy construction. The ABS plastic covering is spillage-free and robust. They also conform to all Australian safety standards. Also, it’s effectively vibration-proof and can stand up to high temperatures.
Power-Sonic promises that it has a cyclic service life of more than 1000 discharges with a nominal capacity of 100Ah.
However, this deep-cycle battery for caravans has a shorter warranty than any other product in this guide at just 18 months.
It’s also the heaviest battery at 30.5kg. This may deter some customers who prefer a lighter, slimline unit.
Types of Batteries
As we saw above, there are several types of batteries. All of these come with different pros and cons. Let’s check these out now.
Lithium Batteries
Lithium batteries come with numerous advantages.
Firstly, they are noticeably lighter than other types of batteries. This makes them much easier to handle and less of a burden on your payload. If you buy the Enerdrive you’ll immediately save 18kg compared to the Sonic.
Another great benefit is that they can be discharged to lower levels without taking any damage to the individual battery cells. This means that they will work for longer before needing a recharge.
There are a couple of downsides, starting with the most obvious.
Any lithium battery for caravans is expensive. You can see that both the Enerdrive and Baintech units are both nudging $1,000. This may be out of reach or simply not worth it for some users.
On a technical level, they shouldn’t be charged at a voltage above 13.8V. Otherwise, you will damage your battery.
Lead-Acid Batteries
Lead-Acid batteries are traditionally the most common type. However, as technology develops, we’d expect lithium to take over.
These batteries are reliable and do the job well. But there are a couple of factors that make them less impressive than lithium alternatives.
One of the biggest is their weight.
It’s impossible to deny that they’re hefty beasts that take up valuable space in your caravan. If you have multiple batteries then this only adds up. If you think about it, a pair of Camec lead-acid batteries will take up over 50kg before you pack anything else.
Another key issue is that it’s not a good idea to discharge lead-acid batteries below 40% discharge of charge. Otherwise, you risk facing problems and that’s not good! This means that a 100Ah lead acid battery has less useful power than a 100Ah lithium battery.
On the upside, they continue to be a lot cheaper than lithium batteries. If you choose the Camec over Enerdrive, you’ll save about $750. That is a massive difference and a decisive reason why many people still prefer them.
AGM Batteries
Absorbent Glass Mat batteries have been in existence since the seventies. Aircraft manufacturers first used them before they made their way into mainstream production.
Like the other batteries, they have their positives and negatives. Let’s start with the good because there is a lot of it.
AGM batteries can withstand deeper discharges than standard lead-acid batteries. They also have less self-discharge and can charge much faster. If charged to the maximum they’ll retain at least 60% of that charge for a year.
But this comes at a cost because AGM batteries typically have a shorter lifespan than lead-acid or lithium. Typically, they don’t cope well with heat and should be stored in a cool, shaded area. Even the Sphere above, shouldn’t be used past 40 degrees celsius.
These batteries also have weight issues. Forget about lithium for a moment, because they’re typically even heavier than lead-acid batteries.
Despite these issues, many caravan owners prefer AGM batteries because they’re spill and vibration-proof. This makes them very safe.
Gel Batteries
Finally, let’s look at gel batteries.
On the face of it, they are quite similar to AGM batteries. They’re both spill-proof and vibration-resistant. Meanwhile, they also have low self-discharge and deep-cycle capabilities.
Gel batteries use a type of silica glass to hold electrolytes together. This gel allows electrons to flow from the plates.
Their depth of discharge tends to be more efficient than the AGM process. But if you don’t recharge it properly, it will damage the battery. Typically, they’re also less durable but this isn’t always the case as we see with the Power-Sonic.
In the end, Gel batteries suffer because they’re more expensive and don’t offer a lot more in performance output. The Power-Sonic is over $100 more than the Sphere AGM battery but it’s not necessarily better.
Maintaining Your Caravan Battery
Caravan batteries aren’t necessarily set-and-forget units. Here’s a few things to keep in mind when out on the road with your battery.
Handling Lead-Acid Batteries
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that lead-acid batteries aren’t the safest things in the world.
You should always exercise care when you handle them. Wear appropriate safety equipment including eye protection during inspections. Also, ensure that they are mounted correctly and the gas vent is correctly fitted.
Don’t skimp on the clamps either. Crocodile clips aren’t a good idea because they increase the chance of a fire and flying sparks.
Lastly, never smoke near a battery.
Checking the Battery’s Charge Level
Most people use a hand-held meter to check their battery’s charge level. These are typically more reliable than caravan displays unless the battery is native to the van.
Before you carry out the check you should switch off all of the electrical appliances in the caravan. Otherwise, the reading will be affected.
If your leisure battery is in a motorhome, don’t drive it for four hours before you test it. Similarly, don’t charge it while testing it because the reading may not be accurate.
You can keep your battery topped up with a camping generator or with solar panels and a regular.
What Affects a Battery’s Performance?
Multiple elements will affect a battery’s efficiency and performance as time passes by. Take a look below.
Age
Most batteries have a working lifespan of 5 to 10 years. Some manufacturers, like Sphere (10 years) openly specify this. Unfortunately, like most things in life, they eventually will reach the end of their serviceable life.
Consumption
The more you use the battery the more wear-and-tear it will experience.
If you run a high number of appliances then it will drain quicker. This is true of all types of batteries regardless of whether they’re lithium, AGM, or gel.
Your battery may degrade quicker if you’re charging and discharging it more frequently.
Another point to think about is what you’re using it for. Devices like motor movers require a lot of energy and will drain the battery a lot quicker. Microwaves, ovens, washing machines and caravan TVs can also chew through a fair bit of power while in use. This may force you to buy a bigger battery.
There's also other devices that constantly sip away at the battery, depleting it slowly over time, like caravan fridges, diesel heaters, hot water systems, water pumps and caravan WIFI routers.
You can monitor this with a battery monitor.
Bear in mind, if there are more people in the caravan or motorhome, the battery is likely to drain much faster. All of this should be taken into account before you buy your caravan battery.
Temperature
The weather and climate also affect your battery’s output. Usually, in a negative manner.
Most parts of Australia don’t experience severely cold conditions, which is just as well. These are the worst for battery performance. Every degree lower than 25 will result in a one per cent drop in output.
Similarly, extremely hot temperatures will have an adverse or even dangerous effect on your battery. Most batteries don’t like being over 40 degrees.
Final Thoughts
Buying the best caravan battery isn’t an easy task but hopefully, you now have a better understanding of the different types and brands available.
There are a variety of reasons why you might want to buy any of the batteries in this guide. Overall, lithium batteries are superior in every aspect to their competitors. Unfortunately, they cost a lot more.
If you do opt for a lithium unit, then consider the Enerdrive eLite.
This lithium battery for caravans is extremely light and compact. Meanwhile, it easily outperforms all of the other styles of battery. You can’t go wrong with a 5 year warranty either.
However, if you don’t want to spend $1,000 on a leisure battery don’t worry.
There are lots of other options but an AGM battery like the Sphere 12V may be your best bet. It’s safe, retains its charge, and is safe for the environment. Why spend more on a gel battery or a less-efficient lead model?
If you have any questions about any of these caravan batteries please leave a comment below.
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Note that while every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on this page, there may sometimes be errors. Check all specifications with the manufacturer before purchasing any product.
