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New to Recreational Vehicles? Here’s an Introduction to RV Lithium Battery Voltage
If you are new to the RV lifestyle, then you have probably been reading up on all the important things that revolve around the world of recreational vehicle ownership. Finding the best RV lithium batteries from a name brand company is one of the most important things. Afterall, this is what powers your adventure, and what dictates the kind of experience you and your loved ones have.
Think about it: you can have the best engine available, but if your air conditioning or heating shut off, the refrigerator stops working and you have no way to preserve food, the television and your Internet gear shut down, and you can’t activate your GPS, you may still be able to drive, but the time you’d planned to spend relaxing and having fun in your RV will be ruined, wasting your time and money on a vacation that could have been enjoyable.
Some of the most frequent topics about RV battery voltage include the following:
- What is RV battery voltage?
- Current vs. Voltage
- How is RV battery voltage created?
- Why is voltage important?
- Which is better: lead-acid or RV lithium batteries?
- How to measure battery voltage
This article will address one of the biggest questions people have when shopping for RV lithium batteries: questions about voltage.
What Exactly Is Battery Voltage?
The difference in charge between the positive and negative terminals is referred to as voltage. Voltage is also known as “electrical potential”, and when the voltage is higher, the difference in potential charge is greater. Just know that voltage is pressure that moves electrons from one point to the other point. Look at it this way: the positively charged battery terminal deals with a lack of electrons, while the negative end has an abundance of them. Voltage is determined when there is an abundance of electrons that the negative terminal weighs against the positive terminal.
How is Battery Voltage Created?
RV batteries consist of a separator, an anode, an electrolyte, and a cathode. The cathode is the battery’s positive end and is generally made from lithium oxide, graphite oxide, or copper oxide, while the anode is the battery’s negative portion and is generally made of lithium, platinum, zinc, or graphite. Considering that the cathode and the anode are separated, the electrons are unable to move from one end to the other, and this is the current’s origin. On the other hand, when a conductor connects the two terminals, the electrons easily flow from the anode to the cathode – the act that creates voltage.
Comparing Current to Voltage
It can be easy to confuse current and voltage. However, if explained properly, it is easy to comprehend. Current is the speed at which electrons flow, and volts are the potential of the energy that exists in the battery. Therefore amperes (amps) are that by which we measure the electron’s current, and the greater the amps, the quicker the electrons flow.
How is Battery Voltage Measured?
It is important to measure battery voltage because it will allow you to know the battery’s charge state. You can do this by using a simple battery monitor. A battery monitor has sensors capable of measuring the electrical potential difference that exists between a set of points, and a voltage reading is displayed on the monitor’s screen.
What is a Normal Voltage Reading?
Voltage recognized as being “normal” depends on the battery type, because many different batteries have a specific chemical reaction that takes place inside that creates voltage. In other words, the battery that powers a Honda Accord will have different voltage than the AA batteries that power your kid’s remote-control car. This is why a Honda automobile’s battery will generally measure a tad more than 12.5 volts and the batteries that power your child’s toys only measure around one and a half volts. It is important that you always take accurate voltage readings to avoid damaging the thing you are powering, or to prevent damage to the battery itself.