Why We Chose Lithium and Why We Went Huge!

Why We Chose Lithium Batteries for Our Campervan — And Why We Went Massive With 628Ah

If you’ve been following our campervan adventures, you’ll know that we’re determined to live as independently off-grid as possible. That means reliable power—no constant hunting for hook-ups, no worrying if the lights will die mid-evening, and definitely no sacrificing creature comforts like Starlink, charging devices, or running our Truma system confidently.

After months of research, number-crunching, and real-world testing, we made a big upgrade:

switching from a traditional lead-acid setup to a huge 628Ah lithium battery bank.

Here’s why—and what we’ve learned.

Why We Ditched Lead-Acid and Went Lithium

1. Lithium gives you usable capacity, not just theoretical capacity

Lead-acid batteries (AGM, gel, sealed, etc.) can only be safely discharged to about 50% without dramatically shortening their lifespan.

A 200Ah lead-acid system?

You can only really use 100Ah.

Lithium (LiFePO₄) batteries, on the other hand, can routinely discharge to 80–90% without damage.

A 628Ah lithium system gives us around 500–560Ah usable.

That’s game-changing off-grid power.

2. Lithium charges dramatically faster

Lead-acid batteries want slow, staged charging and hate being left partially charged.

Lithium loves fast charging and doesn’t care if you top it up little and often.

For us, that means:

• Driving for 30–60 minutes can add huge amounts of power

• Solar works more efficiently

• No waiting hours and hours for absorption phases

Off-grid life becomes far less stressful.

3. Lithium weighs less and frees up payload

Lead-acid batteries are seriously heavy. A typical 200Ah AGM can weigh 60–70kg.

Our 628Ah lithium bank weighs roughly the same as two good AGMs but gives five times the usable energy.

That saves weight for what really matters—water, food, and adventure gear.

4. Lithium lasts many more cycles

Lead-acid: 300–500 cycles

Lithium (good LiFePO₄): 3,000–5,000 cycles

That’s 10x the lifespan, meaning you’re not replacing batteries every few years.

So Why Did We Go Huge With 628Ah?

Because our lifestyle demands it—and we want true freedom.

Here’s what we power off-grid:

• Starlink Mini (a hungry device)

• Phones, watches & cameras

• Water pump & lights

• Truma heating system (electric assist when available)

• Laptop use

• Induction hob occasional use

• 12v fridge, all day, every day

• Occasional inverter loads

A standard campervan setup (100–200Ah lithium) might handle a night or two, but not the level of off-grid living we’re aiming for.

628Ah gives us:

• 3–5 days of off-grid living even in poor weather

• Confidence to operate Starlink without stress

• Ability to run the inverter when needed

• Enough power to stay parked in nature, not at campsites

• Better compatibility with winter solar performance

It’s not about “having a big battery.”

It’s about removing power anxiety from our travels.

Pros & Cons of Lithium Batteries in a Campervan

⭐

Pros

1. Massive usable capacity

Use 80–90% safely—ideal for off-grid living.

2. Fast charging from alternator, solar, DC-DC

Top up quickly while driving or even on a cloudy day.

3. Lightweight

Much more power per kilogram.

4. Long lifespan

Far better value over years of use.

5. Stable voltage

Lithium holds voltage until almost empty—perfect for 12V appliances and inverters.

6. Great for high-demand appliances

Starlink, induction cooking, air fryers, laptops… lithium handles the load beautifully.

⚠️

Cons

1. Higher upfront cost

Lithium is an investment—though long-term it works out cheaper.

2. Needs correct supporting gear

You’ll want:

• Proper DC-DC charger

• Alternator protection if needed

• Compatible smart shunt

• Lithium-capable solar charger

3. Doesn’t like being charged in sub-zero temperatures

Most batteries need a low-temperature cut-off or built-in heater.

4. Installation must be done carefully

Poor wiring or an under-specced inverter/charger can cause issues.

5. They can highlight weak points in your electrical system

Lithium delivers high current quickly—great for performance, not great for undersized wiring.

Final Thoughts — Why Lithium Was Absolutely the Right Choice for Us

We chose lithium not because it’s trendy, but because it lets us travel the way we want:

• Independently

• Comfortably

• Without worrying about power

• With Starlink running and everything charged

• While staying off-grid for days

And, honestly?

After living with 628Ah of lithium, we’d never go back.