Camper Batteries
Complete guide to batteries for your van conversion. The auxiliary battery is the heart of your electrical system: it stores solar energy and powers all your devices. Choosing the right battery depends on your budget, available weight capacity, and power consumption needs. Here we compare the most common battery technologies used in the camper world.
Comparison
| Option | Type | Price | Weight | Performance | Best for... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) | AGM | $130 - $300 | 30 kg | Tight budgets and occasional weekend camping | |
| Gel | Gel | $220 - $430 | 32 kg | Extreme climates where lithium may struggle below 32°F (0°C) | |
| LiFePO4 100Ah | LiFePO4 | $380 - $650 | 12 kg | Most van conversions, best long-term value for money | |
| LiFePO4 200Ah | LiFePO4 | $700 - $1,200 | 22 kg | Full-time vanlifers or those working remotely from their van | |
| LiFePO4 300Ah | LiFePO4 | $1,000 - $1,900 | 32 kg | Professional installations, large RVs, or vehicles with high energy demands |
AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat)
AGM
- Affordable price point, great for getting started
- Maintenance-free, sealed and spill-proof
- Widely available at auto parts stores
- Good vibration resistance for road travel
- Only 50% of capacity is truly usable (50% DOD)
- Heavy weight (~66 lbs per 100Ah)
- Limited lifespan: 300-500 cycles at 50% DOD
- Slow charging, sensitive to overcharging
Gel
Gel
- Longer lifespan than AGM: 500-800 cycles
- Excellent performance in extreme temperatures
- Maintenance-free and very safe
- Deeper discharge capability than AGM (60% DOD)
- More expensive than AGM without major advantages over LiFePO4
- Requires a Gel-specific charge controller
- Similar or heavier weight than AGM (~70 lbs per 100Ah)
- Sensitive to fast charging, needs proper charger
LiFePO4 100Ah
LiFePO4
- 95-100% usable capacity (near full DOD)
- Lightweight: only ~26 lbs vs 66 lbs for AGM
- Over 3,000-5,000 cycle lifespan
- Built-in BMS for automatic protection
- Higher upfront cost than AGM or Gel
- Reduced performance below 32°F (0°C) without a heater
- Requires lithium-compatible charger/controller
- Some cheap models have low-quality BMS
LiFePO4 200Ah
LiFePO4
- Enough capacity for full-time van life
- Powers fridge, laptop, lighting, and device charging without issues
- Weighs the same as a 100Ah AGM but with double the usable energy
- Compatible with simultaneous solar, alternator, and shore power charging
- Higher price point, between $700 and $1,200
- Takes up more space than the 100Ah version
- Needs a properly sized charging system (solar + alternator)
- Can be overkill for occasional weekend use
LiFePO4 300Ah
LiFePO4
- Maximum autonomy: 3-5 days without solar recharge in winter
- Supports high-demand equipment like electric heating or partial AC
- Over 10-year lifespan with daily use
- Can be split into two batteries for weight distribution
- Significant investment: $1,000-$1,900
- Requires at least 400W of solar panels for efficient recharging
- Considerable weight if in a single block (~70 lbs)
- Oversized for small vans like Transit Connect or similar
Best for...
Best value
AGM
Best overall
LiFePO4 200Ah
Best for small vans
LiFePO4 100Ah
Related calculator
Battery Size Calculator