If you’ve been browsing the various leisure batteries on the market, you will doubtless find there are different types to choose from, and one question you could find yourself asking is, are lithium leisure batteries worth it in a motorhome or campervan?

There are a few factors that should help you decide whether this is a motorhome upgrade that you should be seriously considering, including your budget and the way in which you tour.

So, if you’ve been looking at the market and are wondering if a lithium option will be the best campervan leisure battery for you, we’re on hand to help. Here, we’re taking a look at who could benefit from owning one, as well as who may be better suited to a lead-acid counterpart, so you can decide whether to get one for your leisure vehicle.

Don’t miss Peter Rosenthal’s tips on how to extend the life of a motorhome leisure battery, either.

Is a lithium leisure battery right for you?

There are undoubtedly advantages to owning a lithium battery, including the fact that they have a much lighter weight than a lead-acid leisure battery. If you find yourself watching your motorhome weights, it could make one an attractive prospect, as it will free up valuable payload.

Something which could deter people is the price of one. However, while a lithium battery can cost more initially than a lead-acid option, our tech expert, Peter Rosenthal, pointed out in his guide on how to power a motorhome off-grid that their prices are starting to come down. The extra cost can also seem a bit more reasonable when you factor in their longer lifespan, with a lithium leisure battery typically lasting over ten times longer than a lead-acid battery.

Other benefits include being able to access nearly the full stated capacity of a lithium leisure battery (this contrasts with only being able to safely use around 50% of a lead-acid battery before you risk damaging it), and a faster charging time.

However, a lithium leisure battery will really come into its own if you enjoy campervanning off-grid, or operate gadgets like a motorhome inverter for long periods of time.

If you own a motorhome or campervan solar panel, it can also be worth choosing a lithium leisure battery, as they can be charged more quickly. This means that should you find it’s a cloudy day, there will still be plenty of charge to use up, while a less efficient lead-acid battery will not last as long if you are touring during a period of bad weather.

When is a lithium leisure battery not worth it?

So a lithium leisure battery clearly has many benefits. However, before you rush out to buy one, it’s worth pointing out that they’re not going to be quite right for everyone.

If, for instance, you’re touring lifestyle means you’re mainly – or only – going to stay at the best motorhome sites where you can use electric hook-up, or the 12V power is only going to be required for phone charging and the lights, a healthy lead-acid battery should meet your requirements, while coming in at a more budget-friendly price.

Should you not use a solar panel or be thinking of installing one, it could be another reason to stick to a lead-acid battery.

The financial aspect also needs to be factored in. Even though their prices are coming down, you still need to think about the initial cost of buying one, as well as a potential extra outlay if you have to upgrade your battery’s charging system.

The final word on whether lithium leisure batteries are worth it

A lithium leisure battery can undoubtedly be a useful touring gadget, but whether it’s worth it to you will ultimately come down to where you like to tour and the overall price.

For those who regularly head off-grid and use solar panels, it’s going to come into its own. However, for motorhomers and campervanners who are staying at sites where they will be able to use electric hook-up and who will not be using gadgets like inverters for long periods of time, it could make more sense to stick to a standard lead-acid battery and save yourself some money, particularly if you would need to upgrade the charging system for one.

Written with contributions from Nigel Donnelly and Peter Rosenthal.

Future Publishing Limited, the publisher of Practical Motorhome, provides the information in this article in good faith and makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Individuals carrying out the instructions do so at their own risk and must exercise their independent judgement in determining the appropriateness of the advice to their circumstances. Individuals should take appropriate safety precautions and be aware of the risk of electrocution when dealing with electrical products. To the fullest extent permitted by law, neither Future nor its employees or agents shall have any liability in connection with the use of this information. Double check any warranty is not affected before proceeding.

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