Author: The Buchanans Rolling Down The Road

What can be said, about a crusty old curmudgeon, with no fixed address … not much I guess.

February 2026

Hello Everyone:

As we close out February we are located on Hurricane Ridge in the Imperial Dam LTVA which is technically in Winterhaven California. This month has been anything other than relaxing, the last couple of weeks has been a busy time around the Coach, We closed our stay at the El Dorado Ranch with little fan fare, Miss Laurie playing pickleball and I was writing and starting to prepare for our departure, always an exciting time with a little anxiety thrown in, will everything work the way it is designed, will that welded torque rod hold up, will our bumper hit while pulling out of this site, how will the border be, will the U.S. Customs and Border guard be nice, will we be able to restock, refuel, and find our friends in the LTVA area all before dark? I’m sure you get the idea, the sadness of leaving some where that has been a great winter home, the joy of being mobile again, the desire to explore, the need to address our solar shortfall, boondocking where there are very few rules and no one really cares what you do. We were also expecting cooler days and nights as is the norm but finding ourselves in the middle of a major record setting heatwave.

Looking Ahead:

Key Dates:

  • March 16th Andrew has a ball tournament in Mesa Arizona

Plans & Highlights:

  • Visit with friends in and around Phoenix
  • A return visit to Laurie’s happy place “The Boyce Thompson Arboretum“
  • Boondocking in some new areas
  • End of March make our way to Show Low to visit with friends

Bucket List Items:

  • Explore the Mount Lemon area near Tucson
  • A visit to Tohono Chul Botanical Garden

Blog Posts this Month:

Travel and Destinations:

RV Tech & Gear:

Lifestyles & Reflections:

This Month in Photos:

Lessons From the Road:

After 8+ years of full-time RV living

This Months Take Away:

The wanderlust that drives so many of us living this nomadic lifestyle, while hard to explain it is the never ending quest to a new place, a drive to explore some where new, the comfort of having your home and all of its comforts with you, the desire to enjoy time with old friends and make new friends along the way.

Updates & Projects:

Rig Update:

  • Not a lot of changes on the rig this month, we have had another tire sensor failure on our TPMS, this time on the right front coach tire.

Systems / Solar / Connectivity:

  • As we returned to the United States I have a multi-point plan for our solar system, it will be a multi point systematic approach that will be very involved and detailed, but not real expensive in actual dollars.
  • We have been battling with the power consumption of many of our creature comforts, like our StarLink, does the power consumption outweigh the benefit of constant connectivity?

Blog & Creative:

  • It has been a cruise control month for blogs, as I had prepared and scheduled their publishing times for the whole month.
  • A new video on YouTube this month, shows a day at the beach see video

Laurie’s Projects:

The first of February was a busy pickleball time for Miss Laurie, and after crossing into the United States and settling into the Imperial Dam LTVA then there was rock exploration of the area, so this is the only painting that was completed.

Mister Sam’s Photos:

Thank you for following along and being part of our journey.

See you down the road.

Laurie & Brian

The Buchanan’s Rolling Down the Road

www.thebuchanansrollingdowntheroad.com

Day 3082

Solar – Battery -101

RV Solar Batteries Explained: A Simple Guide for Beginners

Batteries are the heart of an RV solar system. Solar panels collect energy during the day, but batteries store that energy so you can use power at night, during cloudy weather, or when you’re parked in the shade.

For many beginners, RV batteries are the most confusing part of a solar setup. This guide breaks everything down in simple terms — no electrical background required.

What Do Batteries Do in a RV Solar System?

In the simplest terms:

  • Solar panels make power
  • Batteries store power
  • The inverter uses stored power

Without batteries, solar power would only work while the sun is shining.

Think of batteries as:

A fuel tank for electricity

The larger the battery bank, the longer you can run lights, fans, electronics, and appliances without sun or hookups.

The Main Types of RV Solar Batteries

There are three common battery types used in RV solar systems:

  1. Flooded Lead-Acid Batteries
  2. AGM Batteries
  3. Lithium (LiFePO₄) Batteries

Each has advantages and disadvantages depending on budget, usage, and travel style.

1. Flooded Lead-Acid Batteries

What They Are

These are the traditional RV batteries many rigs come with from the factory. They contain liquid acid and lead plates.

Pros

  • Lowest upfront cost
  • Widely available
  • Proven, well-understood technology

Cons

  • Require regular maintenance (checking water levels)
  • Must be vented (release gas)
  • Heavy and bulky
  • Can only safely use about 50% of their capacity
  • Shorter lifespan

Beginner Takeaway

Flooded batteries are cheap to buy but require the most care and provide the least usable power.

2. AGM Batteries (Absorbed Glass Mat)

What They Are

AGM batteries are a sealed version of lead-acid batteries. The acid is absorbed into a fiberglass mat, so there is no liquid to spill.

Pros

  • Maintenance-free
  • No venting required
  • Safer inside RVs
  • More durable than flooded batteries
  • Faster charging

Cons

  • More expensive than flooded batteries
  • Still heavy
  • Still limited to about 50% usable capacity
  • Shorter lifespan than lithium

Beginner Takeaway

AGM batteries are a cleaner, easier upgrade from flooded batteries but still have performance limits.

3. Lithium (LiFePO₄) Batteries

What They Are

Lithium iron phosphate batteries are the most modern option and have become the preferred choice for RV solar systems.

Pros

  • Very lightweight
  • Can safely use 80–100% of capacity
  • Much longer lifespan (8–10+ years)
  • Fast charging
  • Stable voltage (power stays strong)
  • Maintenance-free

Cons

  • Higher upfront cost
  • Some models require cold-weather protection
  • May need system upgrades (charge controller or inverter settings)

Beginner Takeaway

Lithium batteries cost more initially but offer the most power, longest life, and easiest ownership.

Battery Type Comparison (Beginner Friendly)

FeatureFloodedAGMLithium
MaintenanceHighNoneNone
WeightHeavyHeavyLight
Usable Capacity~50%~50%80–100%
LifespanShortMediumLong
Charging SpeedSlowMediumFast
Upfront CostLowMediumHigh

How Much Battery Power Do You Need?

A common beginner mistake is buying batteries without thinking about how you use power.

Ask Yourself:

  • Do you camp mostly with hookups?
  • Do you boondock often?
  • Do you travel in winter?
  • Do you use high-draw appliances?

Simple Rule of Thumb

  • Weekend RVing → smaller battery bank
  • Full-time or boondocking → larger battery bank
  • Winter RVing → even larger battery bank

Battery Voltage Explained (12V, 24V, 48V)

Most RV systems use:

  • 12-volt batteries

Larger systems may use:

  • 24V or 48V banks (more advanced setups)

For beginners:

Stick with 12V systems unless you’re advised otherwise

Battery Safety Basics

  • Never overcharge batteries
  • Use a proper charge controller
  • Secure batteries so they don’t move
  • Keep batteries within safe temperature ranges
  • Monitor battery state of charge

Lithium batteries often include a built-in Battery Management System (BMS) that protects against damage automatically.

Common Beginner Mistakes

  • Buying the cheapest batteries
  • Underestimating power needs
  • Mixing old and new batteries
  • Ignoring battery temperature limits
  • Not planning for future expansion

Which Battery Type Is Best for Beginners?

Best Budget Option

  • Flooded Lead-Acid (only if you’re comfortable with maintenance)

Best Middle Ground

  • AGM Batteries

Best Long-Term Choice

  • Lithium (LiFePO₄)

If budget allows, lithium batteries provide the best experience and lowest long-term cost.

Final Thoughts: Batteries Make or Break Your RV Solar System

Solar panels get all the attention, but batteries determine how comfortable and stress-free your RV life will be. Choosing the right battery type makes solar power easier, more reliable, and more enjoyable.

For beginners:

Simple, safe, and reliable beats cheap and complicated every time.

Day 3080