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A deep cycle battery is a battery built to deliver steady power over many hours and to be drained and recharged deeply, again and again. In a caravan, it runs the fridge, lights, water pump and inverter when you are away from mains power. The two main types are AGM (absorbent glass mat), a sealed lead-acid design, and lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4). A lithium deep cycle battery gives far more usable capacity per kilogram and lasts many more cycles. AGM costs less upfront.
For most caravans that free camp or travel off grid, a lithium (LiFePO4) deep cycle battery is the better long-term choice: it gives roughly twice the usable capacity of an AGM of the same amp-hour rating, at a fraction of the weight. AGM still suits occasional travellers on powered sites and tight budgets. Whichever you choose, the charger, DC-to-DC charger and solar controller must have the right charging profile for that battery.
| Feature | AGM (sealed lead acid) | Lithium (LiFePO4) |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity (depth of discharge) | 30 to 60% of rated capacity; 50% is the usual planning figure | 90 to 95% of rated capacity |
| Usable amp hours from a 100Ah battery | About 50Ah | About 90 to 95Ah |
| Cycle life | 800 to 3,000 cycles (lead-acid) | 3,000 to 6,000 cycles (LFP) |
| Energy per kilogram | 30 to 50 Wh/kg | 90 to 130 Wh/kg |
| Round trip efficiency | 80 to 82% | 92 to 96% |
| Charging | Lead-acid profile (HiTech charger: 13.8V) | Lithium profile (HiTech charger: 14.4V) |
| Cold weather charging | Tolerates cold charging | Do not charge below 0°C (HiTech spec) |
| Maintenance | Sealed; keep terminals clean and tight | Little maintenance; built-in BMS protects the cells |
| Upfront cost | Lower | Higher |
Sources: YourHome (Australian Government) for depth of discharge, efficiency and maintenance; CSIRO, Batteries for Homes for cycle life and energy per kilogram; HiTech product pages for charger voltages and charge temperature.
A deep cycle battery is designed for long, steady discharge and repeated deep recharging, unlike a car starting battery, which gives a short, high burst of current to crank an engine.
In a caravan, the deep cycle battery is often called the house battery or auxiliary battery. It is charged by solar, a DC-to-DC charger from the tow vehicle, or a mains charger, and it powers 12V appliances directly or 240V appliances through an inverter.
A deep cycle battery delivers steady power for hours and handles repeated deep discharge, while a starting battery gives a short, high burst to crank an engine and wears out quickly if deeply discharged.
| Deep cycle battery | Starting (cranking) battery | |
|---|---|---|
| Job | Runs appliances for hours | Starts the engine in seconds |
| Discharge pattern | Steady, deep and repeated | Short, high current, then recharged by the alternator |
| Use in a caravan | House or auxiliary battery | Not suitable; repeated deep discharge shortens its life |
An AGM battery is a deep cycle battery: a sealed lead-acid design whose electrolyte is held in a fibreglass mat, so it does not spill and needs no topping up.
AGM batteries have powered caravans for decades. They are affordable and tolerate charging in cold weather. Their limits are weight and usable capacity: lead-acid batteries last longest when they are only partly discharged, and YourHome notes they are sensitive to high temperatures. Gel batteries are a related sealed lead-acid type with a thickened electrolyte; they are less common in caravans and need their own charging profile.
A LiFePO4 battery is a lithium battery that uses lithium iron phosphate chemistry, a lithium chemistry widely used for caravan house batteries.
Every LiFePO4 caravan battery has a battery management system (BMS). The BMS is a built-in circuit that balances the cells and disconnects the battery to protect it from overcharging, over-discharging, overcurrent, over current and unsafe temperatures. HiTech’s 150Ah LiFePO4 battery and 200Ah LiFePO4 battery last at least 4,000 cycles at 100% depth of discharge.
LiFePO4 is one of several lithium-ion chemistries. CSIRO lists it at 90 to 130 Wh/kg, below nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) cells at 100 to 205 Wh/kg, and notes its excellent charge and discharge cyclability, which suits daily cycling in a caravan.
A LiFePO4 battery is sold as a 12V deep cycle battery but has a nominal voltage of 12.8V, so it works in a standard 12V caravan system when every charger has a lithium profile. The difference comes from the cells: an AGM has six lead-acid cells of about 2V each, while a LiFePO4 battery has four 3.2V cells in series.
Lithium gives about twice the usable capacity of an AGM with the same amp hour rating, weighs far less, lasts more cycles and needs a lithium charging profile; AGM costs less upfront.
A 100Ah AGM gives about 50Ah of usable power, while a 100Ah lithium battery gives about 90 to 95Ah.
Rated amp hours are not the same as usable amp hours. YourHome puts lead-acid depth of discharge at 30 to 60% and lithium at 90 to 95%. Using 50% for AGM and 90% for lithium as planning figures, HiTech’s 150Ah lithium battery gives about 135Ah usable. Matching that with AGM would take about 270Ah of AGM batteries.
For the same usable power, a lithium battery bank can weigh around a fifth of an AGM bank.
| Same usable power (about 135Ah) | Battery needed | Approximate weight |
|---|---|---|
| Lithium (LiFePO4) | 1 x HiTech 150Ah LiFePO4 | 14.1 kg (HiTech spec) |
| AGM | About 270Ah of AGM | About 65 to 108 kg (CSIRO 30 to 50 Wh/kg) |
AGM weight is estimated from 270Ah at 12V (3,240Wh) and CSIRO’s lead acid energy density range. Every kilogram counts towards your caravan’s payload.
Lithium iron phosphate batteries typically last 3,000 to 6,000 cycles, compared with 800 to 3,000 cycles for lead-acid batteries such as AGM.
These ranges come from CSIRO. HiTech’s 150Ah, 200Ah and 314Ah LiFePO4 batteries each list at least 4,000 cycles at 100% depth of discharge. AGM life shortens faster the more deeply it is discharged, which is why the 50% planning figure matters.
Each chemistry needs its own charging profile, so your mains charger, DC to DC charger and solar controller must be set for the battery you fit.
As an example, HiTech’s 30A LiFePO4 and AGM smart charger has a mode switch: lithium output is 14.4V and lead-acid output is 13.8V. The same page warns never to connect both battery types at once. When charging from the tow vehicle, a DC-to-DC charger with a lithium profile manages the alternator supply; see how a DC-to-DC charger works. For solar, check your controller has a lithium setting; see MPPT vs PWM solar charge controllers.
Lithium works across a wide temperature range but should not be charged below 0°C, while AGM tolerates cold charging but loses life in high heat.
HiTech’s LiFePO4 batteries list a charge range of 0°C to 55°C and a discharge range of minus 10°C to 60°C. In alpine or desert winters, check overnight temperatures before solar charging starts in the morning.
AGM costs less to buy, but lithium usually costs less per usable amp hour over its life because it delivers more usable capacity for more cycles.
Compare batteries on cost per usable amp hour and expected cycles, not on the shelf price alone. A cheaper AGM that gives half the usable capacity and fewer cycles may need replacing well before a lithium battery would.
Lithium is better if you free camp, run an inverter or watch your payload; AGM can still suit short trips on powered sites.
| Your situation | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Free camping for several days at a time | Lithium | More usable capacity and faster solar recovery |
| Running a 240V inverter for appliances | Lithium | Handles higher current draw and deep discharge |
| Caravan close to its ATM | Lithium | Much lighter for the same usable power |
| Weekends on powered sites | AGM can suit | Shallow discharge and lower upfront cost |
| Regular travel in sub-zero conditions | Either, with care | AGM charges in the cold; lithium needs charging above 0°C |
For sizing your battery bank, see how to choose the right lithium battery for your caravan.
Yes, but replacing AGM with lithium usually means checking or changing the chargers, solar controller and battery monitor, as well as the battery.
- Mains charger: needs a lithium (LiFePO4) mode.
- DC to DC charger: needs a lithium profile for alternator charging.
- Solar controller: needs a lithium setting or a user-programmable profile.
- Battery monitor: lithium voltage stays flat until nearly empty, so a voltage-only gauge reads poorly; a shunt-based monitor is more accurate.
- Wiring and fusing: lithium can supply high currents, so cables and fuses must suit the battery’s maximum discharge, for example 150A on HiTech’s 150Ah battery.
- No mixing: do not connect lithium and AGM batteries in the same bank.
Important To KnowCaravan electrical installations are covered by AS/NZS 3001.2:2022. Have a qualified auto electrician install or check the battery system. Any work on the van’s 240V wiring, including connecting an inverter charger, is electrical installation work: Energy Safe Victoria states DIY electrical work is illegal and can be deadly.
LiFePO4 batteries are widely used in caravans, and they are safest when bought from a reputable supplier, protected by a BMS, correctly installed and charged with a compatible charger.
The South Australian Government’s lithium-ion battery safety advice is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, buy from reputable suppliers, keep batteries out of hot places, and stop using any battery or charger that shows damage. Warning signs include a battery that is very hot, swollen, hissing, smoking or giving off a strong smell.
Before You Buy
- Worked out daily power use in amp hours
- Compared batteries on usable amp hours, not rated amp hours
- Checked the weight against my caravan’s payload under ATM
- Confirmed my mains charger, DC to DC charger and solar controller have the right profile
- Checked the cycle life rating and the depth of discharge it was tested at
- Confirmed the battery has a BMS and suitable maximum discharge current for my inverter
- Checked the charge temperature range against where I travel
- Planned a shunt-based battery monitor
- Booked a qualified installer and a licensed electrician for any 240V work
- Checked the warranty term
A deep cycle battery is the heart of your caravan’s off-grid power. A lithium (LiFePO4) deep cycle battery gives about twice the usable capacity of an AGM, lasts thousands more cycles and weighs a fraction as much, which makes it the stronger choice for most touring and free camping. AGM still suits light use on powered sites. Whichever you choose, match every charging source to the battery.
Browse HiTech’s lithium batteries for caravans, or contact the HiTech team on (03) 9123 8442 to talk through the battery, charger and solar setup that suits your van.
Yes. In caravans, deep cycle, leisure, house and auxiliary batteries usually all describe the battery that powers appliances, as opposed to the vehicle’s starting battery.
No, a car starting battery is not designed for repeated deep discharge. Used as a house battery, it wears out quickly.
It depends on chemistry and how deeply you discharge it. CSIRO lists 800 to 3,000 cycles for lead-acid and 3,000 to 6,000 cycles for lithium iron phosphate.
Only if your charger and solar controller already have a lithium (LiFePO4) profile. Otherwise, the battery may never fully charge, or the charger may not suit it.
No. Do not connect lithium and AGM batteries in the same bank, because they need different charging voltages.
LiFePO4 stands for lithium iron phosphate, a lithium chemistry widely used for caravan house batteries.
Yes, LiFePO4 is one type of lithium-ion battery. Other lithium-ion chemistries, such as the nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) cells used in many devices, can store more energy per kilogram, but LiFePO4 is the chemistry used in HiTech’s caravan batteries.
Add up your daily amp hours, allow for days without sun, then choose a battery whose usable capacity covers it. Remember, an AGM gives only about half its rated capacity.
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