When exploring the great outdoors with your RV, the right battery is crucial, especially for those who prefer dry camping or boondocking. The battery you choose can significantly impact your RV experience, powering everything from your appliances to your lighting. It’s critical to make the right choice.
Let’s dive into the unique features of the three best portable RV batteries for dry camping so you can determine which option will best suit your needs.
EcoFlow Top RV Batteries for Dry Camping in 2024
- Best for Powering Essential Devices: EcoFlow RIVER 2
- Best for Weekend Trips: EcoFlow DELTA 2
- Best for Extended Off-Grid Adventures: EcoFlow DELTA Pro
Best for Powering Essential Devices: EcoFlow RIVER 2
If you’re only heading out on a short RV trip, the EcoFlow RIVER 2 offers the right power for your dry campsite. An output of 600W with X-Boost mode and 256Wh capacity gives you enough power to keep your lights on at night or charge up your smaller electronics.
Since you’ll be dry camping, being able to recharge your battery of choice without needing access to electricity hookups is critical. The EcoFlow RIVER 2 offers four different charging options, one of which is solar, allowing you to completely recharge anywhere sunlight is available.
If your RV is small, you’ll appreciate the small but mighty size of the EcoFlow RIVER 2. Around the size and weight of a toaster, the EcoFlow RIVER 2 will easily find a space within your RV without encroaching on other storage or living space.
Another perk? Unlike other generators and battery options, the EcoFlow RIVER 2 runs quietly, so you won’t even notice it during the night or quiet hours.
Specifications
- Capacity: 256Wh
- Net weight: around 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg)
- Dimensions: 9.6 x 8.5 x 5.7 in (24.5 x 21.4 x 14.2 cm)
- AC output: 120V 50Hz/60Hz, 300W (Surge 600W)
- AC input: 100-120V 50Hz/60Hz, 360W Max
- Solar input: 8A Max,11-30V 110W
- Car input: 12V/24V, 8A, 100W Max
- Cycle life: 80%+ capacity after 3000 cycles
Pros
- Lightweight, easy to take on-the-go
- Charges quickly
- Affordable
Cons
- Lower output and storage capacity than other options
Best for Weekend Trips: EcoFlow DELTA 2
If you want to balance your weekend power needs with something still portable and smaller, the EcoFlow DELTA 2 is a great option. Its output capacity is much greater than that of the EcoFlow RIVER 2, giving you the freedom to power 90% of appliances.
While the EcoFlow DELTA 2 can be recharged using your choice of wall socket, solar charging, USB charging, and car charging, dry camping eliminates a few of these options with the lack of electricity hookup. The good news is there are still plenty of ways to charge up as needed over the weekend, including connecting the EcoFlow DELTA 2 to two 220W bifacial portable solar panels or plugging it into your RV’s 12V carport.
With solar charging, dry RV camping is possible even in remote spots. So not only does this option allow you to be eco-friendly, but you can also enjoy power anywhere there’s sunlight.
Specifications
- Capacity: 1024Wh
- Net weight: 27 lbs (12 kg)
- Dimensions: 15.7 x 8.3 x 11.1 in (40 x 21.1 x 28.1 cm)
- AC output: 6 outlets, 1800W total (Surge 2700W)
- AC input voltage: 100~120V 15A, 220~240V 10A(50Hz/60Hz)
- Solar charging: 11-60V, 15A, 500W max
- Car charging: Support 12V/24V battery, 8A
- Cycle life: 3000 cycles to 80+% capacity
Pros
- Good balance of power and size
- Expandable capacity to fit changing power needs
- Recharges fast, so power is always available while dry camping
Cons
- Solar panels must be bought separately to use the solar charging feature
- Not enough power to run every device and appliance needed for dry camping
Best for Extended Off-Grid Adventures: EcoFlow DELTA Pro
For dry camping trips where you know you’ll need ample power supply for heavy-duty devices and appliances, look no further than the EcoFlow DELTA Pro. Though much heavier than the previous two options, it features a carrying handle and wheels to make transport much easier.
Plus, with a power output of 3600Wh, it’s worth the extra weight and size if you’re going on an extended off-grid adventure without an electricity hookup. If you need even more power than that, the EcoFlow DELTA Pro is expandable, so you can find the ideal solution for your needs. With this power and storage capacity, you can use all sorts of appliances to make your camping trip a bit more comfortable.
If you have zero access to electricity hookups, you have additional charge options, including solar charging.
Specifications
- Capacity: 3600 Wh (expandable to 25kWh)
- Net weight: Approx. 99 lbs/45kg
- Dimensions: 25 x 11.2 x16.4 in (63.5 x 28.4 x 42 cm)
- AC output: 5 outlets, 3600W total (Surge 7200W)
- AC charging input: 1800W Max, 120V~15A, 3000W Max, 240V~12.5A
- Solar charging input: 1600W Max, 11-150V, 15A Max
- Car charging input: Support 12V/24V battery, 8A
- Cycle life: 6,500 cycles to 50% capacity, 3,500 cycles to 80% capacity
Pros
- Can supply enough power for your entire RV
- Heavy-duty, durable design
- Expandable
- Control usage via the EcoFlow smartphone app
Cons
- Heavier, larger than other options
Dry Batteries for Dry Camping
See ya later lead-acid! Lithium batteries have made wet batteries as obsolete as VHS tapes; there really are no benefits of sticking with those old golf carts or even AGM batteries.
- Recharges way faster
- No refilling/spilling/venting
- 100% discharge (deeper than deep-cycle)
- Much lighter
Ready-made Power Source
Instead of figuring out if this inverter is compatible with that breaker using those wires, EcoFlow portable power stations combine all of the needed components in a slick package. Everything from getting power in, storing it, and sending it to your electronics has been fine-tuned by professionals. An EcoFlow portable power station replaces an entire power system:
EcoFlow portable power stations are known for how fast they recharge from a regular outlet – two to five times faster than competitors, and they also recharge from gas generators, solar panels, and car outlets. Upgrading to EcoFlow DELTA Max lets you also recharge from EcoFlow Smart Generator and multiple sources at once. EcoFlow DELTA Pro does all that plus the option to recharge from 240V outlets and EV charging stations for lightning-fast recharge times.
Incorporating solar energy into your daily mix is pretty easy with the portable power station’s built-in solar port. No matter what brand of solar panels you use, the integrated MPPT system will maximize solar power efficiency.
All EcoFlow portable power stations have a top-notch, pure sine wave inverter that outputs 90% of the rated battery capacity. That’s more energy you can use to power your RV.
Monitor energy consumption in real-time, and see how many hours/minutes are left on the battery at your current use. View it all from the built-in screen, EcoFlow app, or a Remote Control (sold separately) that acts as a second display.
The battery management system charges/discharges batteries equally, maximizes performance, and avoids dangerous conditions. Just use your off-grid power how you want, and let the BMS sweat the small stuff.
EcoFlow power stations are super safe because everything is skillfully integrated. Each component is specifically designed to work with the next.
Works with RVs, Vans, and Trailers
Plug your vehicle right into EcoFlow DELTA Pro’s 20-amp or 30-amp outlets like it’s a shore power box, or use its 30-amp Anderson Powerpole outlet if you have the right setup. Other members of the EcoFlow DELTA family have 20-amp outlets and can power several appliances at once, but you may need a dog bone adapter if you’re using it as a hookup.
All the Bells and Whistles
Upgrading from lead-acid batteries is more than just getting a better battery. Here are a few things most 12V battery systems can’t do.
App Support
EcoFlow screens are already the best out there, but the app takes monitoring and controlling your energy to the next level. Check on how much your solar panels are bringing in, fine-tune battery settings, or turn on the AC ports on your way back to the campsite.
Take it Anywhere
These plug-and-play batteries aren’t fastened down so you can always pull them out of the storage bay and use them somewhere else. Take it to power outdoor events or to rescue a stranded electric vehicle. If you’re not a full-time RV’er, EcoFlow DELTA Pro can be used at home for lowering energy bills and backup power during a blackout.
Charge from EV Stations
EcoFlow DELTA Pro is the first battery of its kind to recharge from level-2 EV stations, which are way faster than regular AC outlets. It goes from 0–100% in a little over an hour and a half, so you can get on to that super secret camping spot sooner.
How to Compare Lead-acid and Lithium Batteries
Watt-hours vs. Amp-hours
You’ll notice that many portable power stations have capacity listed in watt-hours (Wh) but lead-acid batteries use ampere-hours (Ah). These numbers are important for comparing how long you’ll be able to boondock or how many appliances you’ll be able to use. Fortunately comparing them is pretty easy: multiply the volts by the ampere-hours to get the watt-hours. A 12V battery that’s 100Ah has 1200Wh, and three of those connected in series would give you 3600Wh – the same as EcoFlow DELTA Pro.
Depth of Discharge
With lead-acid batteries, you’re really only getting 30–50% of the stated capacity because going below 50% capacity quickly damages the battery. Lithium batteries can use 60–80% of their capacity for maximum longevity, even 100% when needed.
In Short
At face value, the 3600Wh EcoFlow DELTA Pro’s lithium battery is equal to three 100Ah 12V batteries, but really it has a much higher usable capacity. Because you can use virtually all of its capacity, it can replace as many as five or six 12V batteries. Still not enough? Extra battery packs can double or triple the capacities of EcoFlow DELTA Pro and EcoFlow DELTA Max.
So, What is the Best RV Battery for Dry Camping?
Finding the best RV battery for your dry camping trip requires you to evaluate what kind of trips you’ll be taking and what your power needs are. For shorter trips with fewer power needs, the EcoFlow RIVER 2 is portable and perfect for powering essential devices, while the EcoFlow DELTA 2 balances power and size, making it ideal for weekend trips. But, when it comes to extended off-grid adventures, the EcoFlow DELTA Pro is your best bet with its high capacity and expandability.
These are just three of the top options for RV batteries for dry camping – EcoFlow also offers a range of portable power stations and solar generators that provide varying power and storage capacity levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many RV Batteries Do I Need for Dry Camping?
How many batteries you need to keep your appliances powered will depend on type of battery you have, the appliances you hope to power, and for how long. If you only need to keep your mobile devices charged, you’ll do with a smaller capacity portable power station, but if you want more power for larger appliances, opt for a battery with expandable capacity to add power as needed.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right RV battery for dry camping ensures a smooth and comfortable experience. The EcoFlow range offers excellent options to cater to the needs of all sorts of different outdoor adventures.
All EcoFlow products come with multiple charging options (including solar), making them reliable companions for your dry camping adventures. Remember to consider your individual needs when choosing your battery to ensure you have adequate power for a memorable experience. For a battery that will provide ample power, check out the EcoFlow DELTA Pro today!
