If you’re an Overlander, you know the importance of reliable off-grid power. After all, it can be the difference between epic travel and epic fails. That said, the best lithium battery for van life needs to be more than reliable. It also needs to punch above its weight class in performance, achieve the highest safety standards, and work seamlessly with accessories that take your power further. This week, we’re showcasing how Expion360 does all that and more.
How to Choose the Best Lithium Battery for Van Life
When you’re preparing to Overland off-grid for weeks or months at a time, there are two main checklists to consider. The first is your personal packing list of parkas, chairs, food, and all the things that make life on the road more sustainable and enjoyable. The second is everything you need to consider for your power needs—including how to choose the best lithium battery for van life.
As you do your research, make sure your lithium battery choice has the following:
1. High capacity
With three times the energy density, E360’s high-capacity lithium batteries can meet the demands of Overland travel and appliance powering. Our battery line ranges from 60 Ah to 368 Ah.
2. Long cycle life
Lithium batteries are an investment item, but the cost-benefit analysis of the battery’s performance and its 10 times longer life cycle make it well worth the money.
3. Robust battery management system
Safety should always be a consideration when traveling far from roads (and cell towers). Ensure your Overlanding battery has a feature-rich battery management system (BMS) that protects from damage to your battery, property, or person.
4. Top safety certifications
In addition to internal fail-safes (like the BMS), your lithium battery should be backed by third-party certifications. Expion360 has the honor of a UL 1642 (standard for manufacturing, testing, and performance), UL 1973 (standard for aux power application batteries), UL 94V-0 (standard for plastics flammability), and UN 3480 (standard for safe lithium battery transport).
5. Compatible voltage
Different vans (and Overlanding rigs) have different power requirements. Ensuring your lithium battery has voltage compatible with your electrical system makes the switch to lithium seamless.
6. Fast charging speed
With three times faster recovery, our batteries help you save time and move further.
7. Environment durability
Ensure your battery’s charging temperature range makes it operational in extreme climates. E360 batteries have a charging temperature range of 32 ℉ to 140℉ (0 to 60 C). The discharge temperature range is -4 ℉ to 140 ℉ (-20 C to 60 C). The BMS helps manage extreme temperature swings.
8. Appropriate depth of discharge
Knowing a battery’s depth of discharge (DoD) will give you a picture of its long-term performance. Our lithium iron phosphate batteries can be discharged to 9.5Vdc, equal to 100% of their amp hour rating.
9. Size efficient
Remember that punch above its weight class point we mentioned earlier? The best lithium battery for van life is lighter, more compact, and maximizes your limited space.
10. Reputable warranty and support
Your battery is only partially operational without warranty and support to back it up.
Specifics of Overlanding Battery Applications
Before choosing the right lithium battery for your Overlanding rig, you should consider what applications you need and the demand on your power system. The following questions can serve as a starting point.
How many appliances do you need to power? This can include everything from small electronics and communication devices to LED lights, camping fridges, and in-camp entertainment. Tally up the number and types of appliances to get an accurate sense of your power needs.
What will your travel conditions be like? Are you going somewhere fairly temperate, or will you (and your supplies) be subject to extreme heat or cold? Your conditions will inform what accessories you need to protect your battery and even battery configurations.
Could your power system benefit from solar panels? As long as your rig allows the set-up, solar power systems increase your available power by converting the sun into electrical energy.
Have you considered a dual-battery system? This is known as the gold standard of Overlanding for a reason. With the unpredictability part of the van life adventure, a dual-battery system gives more peace of mind and more power options that can significantly increase your off-grid comfort,
What configuration is best for your rig? You need the right configuration to utilize your batteries to their full capacity. This includes how to mount them, the number of batteries in a bank, wiring in series or parallel, and where your inverter attachments lead.
For more specifics on Expion360 and Overlanding, explore here.
Battery Systems to Get You Started
Expion360 is proud to offer expertly bundled Power Systems to make upgrading your rig as seamless as possible. If you’re still unsure where to find the best lithium battery for van life, look no further than these options:
E360 Explorer 100 Ah Power Bundle
- E360 100 Ah LiFePO4 battery
- Tie-down tray system
- E360 500 A Battery Monitor Kit
- E360 175 W solar panel
- E360 30 A MPPT solar charge controller
- E360 45 A lithium profile AC to DC converter charger
E360 Overland 200 Ah Power Bundle
- Two (2) E360 100 Ah LiFePO4 batteries
- Tie-down tray system
- E360 500 A Battery Monitor Kit
- Two (2) E360 175 W solar panels
- E360 30 A MPPT solar charge controller
- E360 45 A lithium profile AC to DC converter charger
- Kisae 1000 W Pure Sine Inverter
Victron Explorer 100 Ah Power Bundle
- E360 100 Ah LiFePO4 battery
- Tie-down tray system
- Victron BMV-712 Smart 500 A Battery Monitor
- E360 175 W solar panel
- Victron 100/30 30 A MPPT solar charge controller
- Victron Orion-Tr Smart 18 A DC-to-DC alternator charger
- Victron Phoenix 500 VA Pure Sine Inverter
Victron Overland 200 Ah Power Bundle
- Two (2) E360 100 Ah LiFePO4 batteries
- Tie-down tray system
- Victron 500 A Smart Shunt
- Victron Color Control GX
- Two (2) E360 175 W solar panels
- Victron 100/30 30 A MPPT solar charge controller
- Victron Orion-Tr Smart 30 A DC-to-DC alternator charger
- Victron Phoenix Inverter VE
- Victron Blue Smart IP65 12/10 10 A Charger
REDARC Explorer 100 Ah Power Bundle
- E360 100 Ah LiFePO4 battery
- Tie-down tray system
- REDARC Manager 30 with a Color Display (solar charge controller built-in)
- E360 175 W solar panel
REDARC Overland 200 Ah Power Bundle
- Two (2) E360 100 Ah LiFePO4 batteries
- Tie-down tray system
- REDARC Manager 30 with a Color Display (solar charge controller built-in)
- Two (2) E360 175 W solar panels
- REDARC 1000 W Pure Sine DC to AC Inverter
Shop Batteries for Van Life and Beyond
Embracing van life is an exciting choice for many. It brings with it the freedom to explore the open road with nothing but your rig, a sense of adventure, and, of course, a premium lithium battery. Expion360’s collection of advanced batteries and accessories takes your adventure (and investment) further. Shop the full collections and holiday deals here.
