How to Choose the Right Caravan Lithium Battery Capacity
How to Choose the Right Caravan Lithium Battery Capacity
Intro
Picking the right LiFePO4 capacity is about matching daily energy use with realistic charging. Here is a simple way to choose between 100Ah, 200Ah and 300Ah for caravans and 4WD touring.
Start With Your Loads
- Essentials only - lights, water pump, phone charging, small fridge. Many travellers are comfortable with 100Ah.
- Everyday comfort - larger fridge, fans, laptops, occasional inverter. 200Ah is a strong all-rounder.
- High demand - induction cooktop, coffee machine, hair dryer, frequent inverter use. Consider 300Ah+.
Estimate Daily Energy
- Check appliance Watts and multiply by hours used per day.
- Convert to Wh, then to Ah at 12V - Ah ≈ Wh ÷ 12.
- Add 30 to 50% headroom for hot weather and extras.
Charging Sources
- Solar - roof panels plus a portable blanket give flexibility at camp.
- Vehicle DC-DC - charges while driving, stabilises alternator output.
- 240V mains charger - quick top-ups at parks or home.
Rule of Thumb
- Weekend touring - 100Ah to 150Ah with modest loads.
- Regular off-grid - 200Ah is the practical sweet spot.
- Appliance-heavy setups - 300Ah if your charging can keep up.
Bottom line
Choose capacity based on daily usage and how you recharge - not just the biggest number. Balanced systems perform best.
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