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RV, TRAILER & CAMPER DEEP CYCLE HOUSE BATTERIES
Travel with confidence, with a battery system that is built to perform in the most rugged of conditions. While enjoying twice the power, at half the weight. Go Further. Play Harder. Last longer.
How to Upgrade Your RV’s Electrical System For Lithium Batte
Dakota Lithium batteries are a drop in replacement for AGM, SLA, or traditional lead acid batteries. The most common size battery for RVs is the group 27 size 100Ah battery and the Dakota Lithium 100Ah battery is a drop in replacement— meaning it is the same size and dimensions as the RV house battery it is replacing. But with significantly more performance (more on this below).t
But does “drop in replacement” mean you can just plug and play and call it good?
No. Although you can simply drop the batteries in to your RV and enjoy increased performance, you may not get your Dakota Lithium’s full capabilities without additional changes to your RV, van, or trucks’ electrical system. Here’s the changes we recommend to get the most out of your Dakota Lithium RV house battery upgrade:
- Charge your batteries with a lithium specific charger, or change your charging voltage to 14.4 volts (also called the lithium setting on dual purpose chargers). Dakota Lithium batteries are built with lithium iron phosphate technology. Our R&D testing has found that a charging voltage of 14.4 volts provides the greatest performance for lithium iron phosphate batteries. Lead Acid, AGM and SLA chargers will charge the batteries safely, but not fully. Lead acid chargers charge at a lower voltage and stop when the battery reaches the “I’m full” voltage associated with lead acid batteries. Since that voltage is lower than when a lithium battery is full, your Dakota Lithium will only have a 80-90% charge, meaning an upgrade to a lithium charger will unlock more power. All Dakota Lithium 100Ah batteries come with a 12V 10 Amp lithium specific charger included free of charge. For larger RV, Skoolie, or trailer builds, or off grid cabins, you may want to consider the Victron MultiPlus C 12/2000/80-50 120V Inverter & Charger, which is a lithium specific charger, battery monitor, and DC to AC inverter (turns battery power into wall sockets for household electronics) combined into one blue box.
- If charging your house batteries from your engine’s alternator we recommend a Victron Orion-Tr Smart 12/12-18A Isolated DC-DC charger. This will charge your batteries at a lithium specific setting using the electricity created by your engine’s alternator. It will also protect your engine’s alternator from the wear and tear of charging lithium batteries (which charge faster than lead acid). Plus, it includes a smart battery monitor, so you can use the Victron app to see how much power is left in your batteries, and how much you are currently charging them. This feature makes this charger a favorite upgrade of van builds, skoolies, overland truck builds, and small RVs where you plan to spend more time boondocking and camping off-grid and want a simple way to monitor your batteries.
- If using solar panels to charge your batteries, then change your solar controller setting to lithium or upgrade to a lithium specific solar controller. Dakota Lithium batteries are optimized for solar energy. Lithium Iron Phosphate has the best transfer efficiency of all the battery chemistries, meaning that you can use more of the energy produced by your solar panels. To get the most out of any solar system using lithium batteries you will need a solar charge controller that has a lithium setting like this Victron SmartSolar MPPT 75/15 Solar Charge Controller.
Some key things to remember. All Dakota Lithium 100Ah batteries include a free lithium specific charger, so if you are charging your house batteries only off shore power then you can simply use an extension cord to the included charger and no changes are needed. Also, more of the battery chargers and solar controllers coming onto the market these days are dual purpose, with a lead acid and a lithium setting. So if you have a lithium setting use it.
So knowing the changes needed is a lithium battery upgrade still worth it?
Most definitely yes!!
Here’s 8 Reason’s Why a Dakota Lithium Upgrade Provides the Greatest Lifetime Value
- Dakota Lithium LiFePO4 batteries will provide double the usable power / double the run time of lead acid. More power / run time means more time on the road without having to plug in at night. Allows for boondocking or camping off grid with the confidence that your batteries will get your through the night (or with solar panels near indefinitely).
- Dakota Lithium batteries last 4X longer than lead acid or AGM and will need to be replaced less often. Providing piece of mind and greater lifetime value. Backed up by a best in class 11 year warranty.
- Dakota Lithium weighs 60% less than deep cycle lead acid batteries. Less weight means more maneuverability and speed and less wear and tear on your rig. And the batteries are light enough that you can easily install and service them yourself.
- Dakota’s lithium iron phosphate works down to negative 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-29 Celsius) meaning you can travel in all seasons.
- The self discharge rate of a Dakota Lithium battery (i.e. how much power is lost each month the battery is not being used), is 1/4 that of a lead acid battery, only 1-2% a month. That means if you take a break between adventures your batteries will still have plenty of power the next time you hit the road.
- Dakota Lithium iron phosphate is optimized for solar energy with 50% more efficiency than a lead acid battery.
- You need less batteries when you use a Dakota Lithium. Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) has a flat voltage curve. That means that the voltage does not drop as you use the battery. You get all the juice down to the last drop. Historically if you power your house electronics with a deep cycle lead acid battery you would only be able to use half of the capacity of the battery before the voltage is too low to run anything. That’s why your lights dim when your lead batteries are low. With Dakota Lithium you can use all of the power of the battery, meaning that a 100 Ah battery from Dakota Lithium is equal to 200 Ah in lead acid batteries.
- Dakota Lithium has an 11 year warranty. That means you can install your batteries once, instead of replacing heavy lead acid batteries every few years.
The drop in replacement battery for most RV house batteries (deep cycle marine) is the Dakota Lithium 100Ah battery - See specs and buy here.
Here’s a simple guide to battery recommendations. These recommendations assume you are either re-charging your battery bank every few days by connecting to shore power, or charging via your alternator in your engine when you drive, or with solar panels (our personal favorite – with the low cost of adding solar panels it is both the most affordable, and the highest performance charging solution).
Size of RV / Van | What Your Looking to Power | Recommended Battery
- 10′-14 ft | Lights, radio, electronics (laptop, cell phones, etc.), small fan | DL 54 Ah x 1
- 10′-14 ft | Lights, radio, sm. electric cooler, tools, fans, electronics | DL 100 Ah x 1
- 15′-20 ft | Lights, radio, stove, med. electric cooler/small fridge, electronics, fans | 1-2x DL 100 Ah or 1x DL 2000 Ah
- 21′-30 ft | Lights, radio, stove, lg. electric cooler/small fridge, small tv, electronics, fans| 2x DL 100 Ah or 1x DL 200 Ah
- 31′-40 ft | Lights, radio, stove, medium fridge, large TV, electronics, large fans | 2-4x DL 100 Ah or 2x DL 200 Ah
- 40’+ ft | Lights, radio, stove & oven, fridge, TV, electronics, air conditioning* | 4-8x DL 100 Ah or 2-5x DL 200 Ah
*Please note, air conditioning appliances draws a lot of amps (power) and requires a very large battery bank (400Ah+). Not recommended for small RVs or vans. Use of air conditioners is not covered under the warranty of many battery companies, including Dakota Lithium, since it is possible for air conditioning units to pull more power at one time than a single battery is capable of giving. Air conditioning is fine to use when connected to shore power and not pulling power from the house batteries.
The Dakota Lithium 100Ah battery is the drop in replacement battery for most RV house batteries (deep cycle marine)
What Size Solar Panels Do I Need?
Dakota Lithium batteries are the best choice if you are considering adding solar panels to your RV, Van, or trailer because they have the highest efficiency rating for solar power. That means you get more power from each solar panel, and can use more of the power you collect.
Here’s a size chart for what solar panels you need by size of RV & how many Dakota Lithium batteries you have.
Size of RV | # of Batteries | Recommended Solar Panel Capacity
- 10′-14′ | 1-2x DL 100 Ah | 100-115-Watt Rooftop
- 15′-20′ | 1-2x DL 100 Ah | 150-170-Watt Rooftop
- 21′-30′ | 2x DL 100 Ah | 300 watt rooftop
- 31′-40′ | 2-4x DL 100 Ah | 500-600 watt rooftop
- 40’+ | 4-8x DL 100 Ah | 700-1100 watt rooftop
RV, Trailer & Camper Deep Cycle House Batteries
DAKOTA LITHIUM 12V 54AH DEEP CYCLE LIFEPO4 BATTERY
DL+ 12V 60AH DUAL PURPOSE 1000CCA STARTER BATTERY PLUS DEEP CYCLE PERFORMANCE
DL+ 12V 60AH DUAL PURPOSE 1000CCA STARTER BATTERY PLUS DEEP CYCLE PERFORMANCE
A deep cycle work horse, the DL 54 is built for high performance in the most rugged of conditions. Engineered with Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) technology this battery has twice the power, half the weight, and lasts 4 times longer than a lead acid battery – providing exceptional lifetime value. 54 Amp hours of capacity provides a full day of power for mid sized trolling motors or for long days on the open road in your RV. Ideal for deep cycle applications where you need lots of power for a long time. Easily link in series to create 24V, 36V, or 48V systems. LiFePO4 charger included.
DL+ 12V 60AH DUAL PURPOSE 1000CCA STARTER BATTERY PLUS DEEP CYCLE PERFORMANCE
DL+ 12V 60AH DUAL PURPOSE 1000CCA STARTER BATTERY PLUS DEEP CYCLE PERFORMANCE
DL+ 12V 60AH DUAL PURPOSE 1000CCA STARTER BATTERY PLUS DEEP CYCLE PERFORMANCE
A multi-purpose work horse, the DL+ 12V 60Ah is built for high performance in the most rugged and varied of conditions. Start your car engine, crank up the car audio, or run your trolling motor or other deep cycle electronics — this is one battery built to power many passions. Engineered with Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) technology this battery has twice the power, half the weight, and lasts 4 times longer than a lead acid battery – providing exceptional lifetime value. Built for dual purpose performance the DL+ provides 1,000 cold cranking amps (CCA) and a high continuous discharge rate, making it a great choice for high amp draw applications like starting engines, car audio, heavy machinery, golf carts, or any electronics that require a lot of power at one time. In addition, the DL+ provides the same legendary deep cycle marine performance that Dakota Lithium batteries are known for, giving you lots of power for a long time. This is the most versatile Dakota Lithium battery and includes a terminal adapter kit compatible with most marine, automotive, and deep cycle applications. Easily link in series to create 24V, 36V, or 48V systems. LiFePO4 charger included. Backed up by an 11 year warranty.
DAKOTA LITHIUM 12V 100AH DEEP CYCLE LIFEPO4 BATTERY
DL+ 12V 60AH DUAL PURPOSE 1000CCA STARTER BATTERY PLUS DEEP CYCLE PERFORMANCE
DAKOTA LITHIUM PLUS 135 AH 12V LIFEPO4 DUAL PURPOSE BATTERY
Built Dakota tough, this 12 volt lithium battery packs a big punch. Engineered with Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) technology this battery has twice the power, half the weight, and lasts 4 times longer than a sealed lead acid battery – providing exceptional lifetime value. 100 Amp hours of capacity provides a full day of power for high amp draw trolling motors or for long days on the open road in your RV. Ideal for deep cycle applications like trolling motors, solar energy storage, or boating, where you need lots of power for a long time. Same performance as our legendary 10 Ah battery, but with 1,000% more capacity. All backed up by a best in class 11 year warranty. LiFePO4 charger included.
DAKOTA LITHIUM PLUS 135 AH 12V LIFEPO4 DUAL PURPOSE BATTERY
DAKOTA LITHIUM PLUS 135 AH 12V LIFEPO4 DUAL PURPOSE BATTERY
DAKOTA LITHIUM PLUS 135 AH 12V LIFEPO4 DUAL PURPOSE BATTERY
When you go off the grid during a Dakota winter you need to be prepared for all that mother nature can throw at you. With the DL+ 12V 280 Ah battery we built our most compact, and powerful battery yet — ready for long expeditions in your RV, extended ocean voyages in your boat, or plenty of power for your off grid system. Engineered for maximum energy density, this battery has 280 Amp Hours of capacity in a waterproof battery case the size of a single 100 Amp Hour battery. That’s 6X the amount of usable power of a single group 31 AGM battery. Plus, up to 1,000 cold cranking amps of engine starting power, making this battery the ultimate single battery solution for boats, RVs, or any vehicle where you need a house battery that can jump start your engine. Built out of Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) technology and reinforced with a ruggedized marine spec plastic case, this is a battery built to last. With a lifespan of 5,000 charge cycles this battery will last up to 6 times longer than your typical AGM battery – providing exceptional value over time. Optimized for marine/boating, solar energy, RVs & electric vehicles. LiFePO4 optimized charger included. 11 year warranty. This is our original 100Ah battery, re-engineered with 180% more capacity in a similar sized case. The ultimate battery in energy density and versatility. 135 Amp Hours of deep cycle Dakota Lithium performance PLUS 1,000 CCA of engine starting power PLUS internal even-heat technology for use in extreme temperatures = unlimited possibilities. Start your car, crank up the car audio, or run your trolling motor, golf cart, or any electronics — this is one battery built to power many passions. Engineered for high performance in rugged and extreme conditions, the DL+ 12V 135Ah battery includes DL’s internal even heating technology that allows for charging and using the battery in extreme temperatures down to -20F. Built to start boat and car engines, the DL+ 12V 135Ah battery also has 135 Amps of charging capacity, allowing you to charge the battery from your vehicle’s alternator. Charges 5X faster than traditional batteries. 60 minutes or less when combined with a 135 Amp charger or alternator.
DAKOTA LITHIUM 200 AH 12V LIFEPO4 DEEP CYCLE BATTERY
DAKOTA LITHIUM PLUS 135 AH 12V LIFEPO4 DUAL PURPOSE BATTERY
DAKOTA LITHIUM 200 AH 12V LIFEPO4 DEEP CYCLE BATTERY
When you go off grid during a Dakota winter you need to be prepared for all that mother nature can throw at you. With the 12V 200Ah we built our our biggest and most energy dense battery yet – ready for long nights in the ice hut, or long days rolling the open road in your RV. Built out of Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) technology this is a battery built to last. With a lifespan of 3,000 charge cycles this battery will last up to 5 times longer than your typical SLA battery – providing exceptional value over time. Optimized for marine/boating, solar energy, RVs & electric vehicles. Free 12V 10 Amp LiFePO4 optimized charger included. 11 year warranty. This is our original DL 170ah battery re-engineered for 200Ah of capacity. Same price, 30Ah more capacity.
DAKOTA LITHIUM 48V 96AH DEEP CYCLE LIFEPO4 BATTERY
DAKOTA LITHIUM PLUS 135 AH 12V LIFEPO4 DUAL PURPOSE BATTERY
DAKOTA LITHIUM 200 AH 12V LIFEPO4 DEEP CYCLE BATTERY
Built Dakota tough, this single 48 volt lithium battery will help you play longer and go further with twice the run time for your golf cart, electric vehicle, or electric outboard motor, while lasting 4x longer, providing exceptional lifetime value. Built out of our legendary lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) cells, this battery requires no maintenance or watering, can be installed in any orientation, and can charge 5X faster then lead acid – giving you more time, and more freedom. The best part is this single Dakota Lithium battery weighs 1/4 as much as a set of lead acid golf cart batteries, allowing you to cut 300 lbs or more off your cart. Experience better vehicle handling, less wear & tear, and lower maintenance costs.
With a whopping 5kWh of deep cycle power inside of a single power source, this is the largest battery Dakota Lithium makes and it optimized for deep cycle and marine applications like 48V solar energy storage, 48V electric outboard motors, 48V golf carts, or any 48V application where you need steady power for a long time. Free 48V 8A amp LiFePO4 chargers included!
DAKOTA LITHIUM 12V 100AH OFF-GRID SOLAR POWER SYSTEM
DAKOTA LITHIUM 200-WATT SOLAR PANEL & RV ROOF MOUNT KIT
DAKOTA LITHIUM 200-WATT SOLAR PANEL & RV ROOF MOUNT KIT
Live the dream! Work and play on your own terms with the freedom of Dakota Lithium. This complete electrical system for sprinter vans, small campers, trailers, and overland adventures is optimized for lithium power and an ultra-long lifespan with a 25 year solar panel warranty, and an 11 year battery warranty. This bundle includes:
- QTY 1 Dakota Lithium 100Ah LiFePO4 Battery with 11 year warranty
DAKOTA LITHIUM 200-WATT SOLAR PANEL & RV ROOF MOUNT KIT
DAKOTA LITHIUM 200-WATT SOLAR PANEL & RV ROOF MOUNT KIT
DAKOTA LITHIUM 200-WATT SOLAR PANEL & RV ROOF MOUNT KIT
Dakota Lithium’s most popular solar kit but with 100% more power! For unlimited freedom, and a quieter, more peaceful outdoor experience, replace your generator with this 200-watt solar kit. This kit offers enough power to charge most single 12-volt battery banks (combine 200 watts of solar with 200Ah of Dakota Lithium batteries). Power your RV, boat or trailer with 200-watts, or expand it up to 300-watts for larger rigs and equipment by adding additional panels. Includes everything you need to connect your solar panels to your battery including the mounting hardware, lithium compatible solar change controller, and wiring kit. Plus, this kit includes a Bluetooth battery monitor integrated into the solar charge controller, so you can see how much power is left in your battery at any one time using the DL Dashboard mobile app. Designed for decades of rugged use, this flexible, marine grade solar panel is waterproof, flexible for curved roofs and boat decks, and is backed up by a 25 year output warranty.
DAKOTA LITHIUM 12V 400AH OFF-GRID POWER SYSTEM
DAKOTA LITHIUM 200-WATT SOLAR PANEL & RV ROOF MOUNT KIT
DAKOTA LITHIUM 12V 400AH OFF-GRID POWER SYSTEM
Live the dream and power your boat, RV, or cabin with Dakota Lithium batteries and Victron Energy. Add Zamp Solar panels to create your perfect sized power system. Our #1 kit for large-sized RVs, Sailboats and Yachts, School Buses, Cabins, and homes on the move. Power system includes:
- QTY Choose 1-3 Dakota Lithium 200Ah LiFePO4 Batteries with 11 year warranty.
- QTY 1 Victron Multiplus C 12/2000/80-50 120V DC to AC inverter and charger.
- QTY 1 Victron Energy BMV 712 Smart Battery Monitor with Bluetooth.
- QTY 1 Victron Energy MPPT 75/15 solar charge controller.
- QTY 1 Victron Digital Multi 200A GX Control Panel for Multiplus
- QTY 1 Dakota Lithium 12V 10A LiFePo4 battery charger.