A weekend enjoying the great outdoors will never be complete without a portable battery pack for camping. You won't really enjoy that fresh air and scenery in the dark, munching on food that has gotten way too cold. Having a handy, reliable source of power makes all the difference, and a camping battery is one of the best ways to get that. We’re not referring to portable power banks here (although those are good to have as well) but rather, those battery packs encased for easier packing on outings.
Portable battery packs for camping come in a variety of types. You can either stick to traditional lead-acid ones if you're on a budget, go for popular AGM batteries, or try lithium batteries. If you ask battery experts, they'd most likely recommend lithium batteries to you, particularly lithium iron phosphate batteries or LiFePO4. Why? Conventional batteries do the trick for typical camping trips but if you're an avid outdoor adventurer, it's better to invest in the best quality you can get.
LiFePO4 batteries are backed by modern technology and have a built-in battery management system (BMS) that ensures maximum performance with every use. These batteries won't catch fire nor explode, have a faster charging time, increased capacity, and lighter weight. On top of this, the integrated BMS automatically protects your battery pack against overheating, overcharging, undercharging, and even short circuits. You get smooth, uninterrupted power with minimal effort and a service life that will last you for more years of camping trips.
How Do I Know If My Portable Battery Pack For Camping Is Bad?
Here's one golden rule for all outdoor enthusiasts: Never head off anywhere without checking your portable battery pack for camping. It doesn't matter if you have a standard 12V lithium battery pack or a bigger, 24V battery. You need to make sure your camping power pack is in its best condition, especially for off-grid camping trips or else you might end up with no power in the middle of a remote place.
There are multiple warning signs of a bad portable battery pack for camping. These can be grouped between least and most alarming, as some battery issues are really just a result of constant use. The less serious ones that don't pose risks include a low voltage, reduced battery capacity, and a high self-discharge rate. While these can be inconvenient, they're usually just normal signs of battery degradation. The best thing to do here is to start saving up for a new battery because there's a big chance you'll be needing one soon.
The more alarming signs of battery are surprisingly found on its external appearance. If your power pack is overheating, swollen, discoloured, or has an unusual smell, NEVER attempt to use it. These are the first indications of a possible explosion, especially for non-LiFePO4 users. In case you detect this while your battery is in use, disconnect it immediately, and store it in a well-ventilated area away from other batteries or any source of ignition.
Can I Charge My Portable Battery Pack For Camping With Solar?
Definitely! In fact, having solar panels to pair with your portable battery pack for camping is a great idea. It allows you to camp out anywhere you want knowing that you can replenish your battery's charge through solar energy. Partnering a 100Ah lithium battery or a 200 amp battery with a good set of folding solar panels will let you use it for longer to power your appliances for an extended period of time. Some RV owners who like to go off-grid even install fixed or flexible solar panels on the roof of their ride and connect them with their battery bank.
The most important thing about connecting your solar panels and battery pack for camping is to use a solar charge controller or solar regulator. It mainly functions by converting your solar panel's voltage output to a level suitable for the battery that is being charged. A solar regulator also helps prevent overcharging and can be classified as either a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) or Maximum PowerPoint Tracking (MPPT). MPPTs are usually preferred since they are generally more efficient, although not all setups are better off with them. It all depends on your system's needs, so be sure to get the appropriate one and ask for help from a professional.
Additionally, a portable battery pack for camping is sometimes used as an auxiliary battery for RVs and 4WDs too. This is often referred to as a dual battery setup, which makes use of both a starter battery for the vehicle and a secondary battery to power whatever appliances you have inside. If you're going for this kind of setup, the best source of power to use would be deep cycle batteries. These batteries can be safely discharged down to 80% to give you increased capacity and a longer run time as well.
More from Outbax
Get your hands on the best portable battery pack for camping here at Outbax. We have tons of lithium batteries for sale here that you can choose from including slimline lithium batteries, lithium solar batteries, and even marine batteries. We specialise in quality outdoor equipment at an affordable price so if you're an adventurer on a budget, this is the perfect online store for you. Aside from cheap batteries, we also sell solar panels, inverter generators and power stations! Outbax is a haven for anyone who loves exploring the great outdoors. Fusing excellent products with an equally excellent customer service team, we'll make sure you get the best camping gear on time and at a wallet-friendly size. Shop now and don't miss out on amazing deals!