Battery life depends greatly on maintenance.The life span of deep cycle RV batteries is often 5 to 10 years, depending on use and maintenance.Well-maintained units and banks may last for 15 years or more just by following a few simple steps.Sink Some Money into Your Cell Bank.Most things we purchase follow the adage, "you get what you pay for," and RV batteries are no different.High quality units will likely run $100 to $600 depending on the size.A mid-range $400 product that lasts 15 years averages out to about $27 per year.Don't be afraid to put money into your investment.Avoid More than 3 Parallel Strings.Keep your cell bank short and simple.No more than three parallel strings are advisable at any given time.Fewer cells reduce the possibility of random defects and makes maintenance much easier.Prevent Corrosion.Corrosion is one of the worst enemies.Corrosion causes a hazardous situation and reduces the effectiveness of the power source.One of the best preventative techniques is to apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to the terminals.Vaseline does not inhibit electric current, but protects terminals very well.Moderate the Temperature.Keep the temperature around 77 degrees Fahrenheit.Colder temperatures, around 30 degrees Fahrenheit, cause a 25percent deterioration of charge.Temperatures higher than 77 degrees Fahrenheit deteriorate even more quickly.Protect your power units from extreme temperatures in either direction.Low Voltage Disconnect.Exhausting a unit of all charge causes immediate damage and reduces the life expectancy.This damage is not reversible.The unit may temporarily charge again, but it will never hold a charge as well as a well-cared-for battery.Use a low voltage disconnects to prevent complete depletion of charge on all deep cycle style units.Fully Charge Every Three Weeks.Fully charging deep cycle RV batteries once every three weeks reduces internal corrosion.Charging also helps insure equalization by allowing weaker ones to rely on others.System Monitor.Monitoring the status of the cell bank is absolutely necessary to the proper maintenance of the unit.They monitor the state of charge, voltage, current and record amp hours.Understanding these readings will prolong the life of your product.Hydrometer.A hydrometer is a device which helps determine if the cell bank is being charged to full.It will also show if any individual batteries or cells are falling behind.False readings may occur immediately after adding water, or if the temperature drops drastically.Longer Lasting RV Battery Banks.Remember that acid is a hazardous material.Always use safety equipment such as gloves and safety glasses.Keep a rugged plastic bottle filled with baking soda and water to rinse away accidental spills and to clean splatter from the tops of the battery.Maintenance is one of the primary staples of a long life.Some people choose to carry a motorcycle battery charger to maintain a light charge on RV batteries that may have problems keeping a charge.Keep stored units at a consistent temperature and consider using a trickle charger.
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