Updated: 23 September 2026 · EuroVan Shop
In short: A lithium leisure battery (LiFePO4) is worth it if you camp away from hook-up: you can use most of its capacity, it is much lighter than lead-acid and our 12.8 V battery is rated for up to 6,000 cycles. Choose 100 Ah for weekends, 200 Ah for several days off-grid, 314 Ah for full-time travel. It comes on its own or in the VANPOWER electrical kit.
See the VANPOWER electrical kitsWhat is a lithium leisure battery?
A lithium leisure battery is the battery that powers the living area of your van (fridge, lights, water pump, USB), separate from the starter battery. In campervans it almost always uses LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate) chemistry, at a nominal 12.8 V.
Every LiFePO4 leisure battery contains a BMS (battery management system). On our battery the BMS protects against overcharge, short circuit and deep discharge, and Bluetooth lets you check charge, health and history from your phone.
An AGM battery (absorbed glass mat) is a sealed lead-acid battery: the electrolyte is held in glass-fibre mats, so it is spill-proof and maintenance-free. It has been the traditional leisure battery for decades and works with almost any charger.
If you are planning a complete system, the battery is the heart of our campervan electrical kits, together with Victron chargers for solar, alternator and hook-up.
LiFePO4 vs AGM: side-by-side comparison
LiFePO4 wins on usable capacity, weight and cycle life; AGM wins on purchase price and on charging in freezing weather. The general differences:
| Criterion | LiFePO4 (lithium) | AGM (lead-acid) |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal voltage | 12.8 V | 12 V |
| Usable capacity | Most of the rated capacity | Usually only part of it, as deep discharges shorten its life |
| Cycle life | Up to 6,000 cycles (our battery) | Far fewer, depending on make and depth of discharge |
| Weight | 9.6 kg for our 100 Ah | Heavier for the same capacity |
| Voltage under load | Stays stable until nearly empty | Drops steadily as it discharges |
| Charging below 0 °C | Paused by the BMS | Possible, more slowly |
| Charger settings | Needs a lithium charge profile | Works with standard lead-acid profiles |
| Monitoring | Bluetooth on our battery | Usually needs a separate monitor |
| Purchase price | Higher | Lower |
Figures for AGM vary a lot between brands, so always check the maker's datasheet if you compare a specific model.
Are lithium leisure batteries worth it?
Yes, for most van builds that spend nights away from hook-up. You pay more at the start, but you get more usable energy per amp-hour, a battery that lasts many more cycles and a large weight saving.
- More usable energy: you can draw most of a lithium battery's capacity, while an AGM is best kept well above empty.
- Faster, fuller charging: LiFePO4 accepts charge readily for most of its charge, so a short drive or a sunny morning puts more back.
- Weight and space: our 100 Ah battery weighs 9.6 kg and measures 260 × 168 × 209 mm.
- Long life: up to 6,000 charge/discharge cycles.
AGM can still make sense for a van used a few weekends a year on campsites with hook-up, or when the existing chargers cannot be set to a lithium profile and you do not want to change them.
How long will a 100Ah lithium battery run a 12V fridge?
Roughly two days for a small compressor fridge with no charging at all. The estimate: 100 Ah × 12.8 V = 1,280 Wh. Assuming you use about 90% of it, that leaves about 1,150 Wh. The VanCool 40L draws 25 W on average, so 1,150 ÷ 25 ≈ 46 hours.
| Battery | Energy (12.8 V) | VanCool 40L, 25 W average | VanCool 85L BCD, about 35 W average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 Ah | 1,280 Wh | about 46 h (≈ 2 days) | about 33 h |
| 200 Ah | 2,560 Wh | about 92 h (≈ 4 days) | about 66 h |
| 314 Ah | 4,019 Wh | about 145 h (≈ 6 days) | about 103 h |
These are estimates for the fridge alone, with no solar, alternator or hook-up charging and 90% of the capacity used. Real runtime depends on outside temperature, door openings and your other loads. In practice, solar and driving top the battery up every day. See our guide on how long a 12V fridge runs on a leisure battery.
Which lithium battery size do you need: 100, 200 or 314 Ah?
Choose by how long you stay off-grid: 100 Ah for weekends, 200 Ah for several days away from hook-up, 314 Ah for full-time van life or a powerful inverter. Then check the space you have.
| Capacity | Typical use | Dimensions (L × W × H) | Weight | BMS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 Ah | Weekends: 12 V fridge, lighting, USB | 260 × 168 × 209 mm | 9.6 kg | 100 A |
| 200 Ah | Several days off-grid, a few small 230 V appliances | 483 × 170 × 240 mm | 18.5 kg | 200 A |
| 314 Ah | Full-time, extended use of 230 V appliances | 483 × 170 × 240 mm | 32 kg | 200 A |
If you plan a 1500 W or 2000 W inverter (kettle, coffee machine), the 314 Ah battery is the one we recommend. Our inverter sizing guide explains why.
LiFePO4 lithium battery with Bluetooth
12.8 V, 100, 200 or 314 Ah, up to 6,000 cycles, built-in BMS, R10 certified.
VANPOWER
Battery + Victron DC/DC, MPPT and mains charging, wiring diagram included.
Can I replace my motorhome leisure battery with a lithium battery?
Yes, but check every charging source first: each one must be able to charge lithium correctly. Swapping the battery alone is rarely enough.
- Alternator: a lithium battery accepts a lot of current, so it should be charged through a DC/DC charger rather than a simple split charge relay. The Victron Orion-Tr Smart 12/12-30A delivers up to 30 A while driving and handles AGM, GEL and lithium. See DC-DC charger vs split charge relay.
- Solar: the controller must offer a lithium profile. The Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100/30 lets you select it in the VictronConnect app.
- Hook-up: the mains charger must also support lithium, like the Victron Blue Smart IP22 12V 15A.
- Protection: fit a fuse and an isolator switch close to the battery. Cable sections and fuse ratings are given in the VANPOWER wiring diagram or must be sized by a qualified person.
Have any 230 V part of the installation checked by a qualified electrician. Our battery is R10 certified; check your national rules (DVLA/VCA, TÜV, RDW) for your conversion.
Victron Orion-Tr Smart 12/12-30A
Charges the leisure battery while driving, up to 30 A, Bluetooth.
Victron Blue Smart IP22
12 V 15 A hook-up charger, lithium compatible, Bluetooth.
Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100/30
Solar controller for up to 440 W of panels at 12 V, lithium profile.
Do lithium leisure batteries work in cold weather?
Yes for discharging, with a limit on charging. Our LiFePO4 battery discharges down to −20 °C, so the fridge and lights keep running on a frosty night. Below 0 °C the BMS automatically pauses charging to protect the cells: this is normal behaviour for any LiFePO4 battery.
The simple fix is placement: install the battery inside the heated living area, not in an outside locker. Once the van warms up in the morning, charging resumes on its own. AGM batteries can take a charge in the cold, but more slowly and with reduced capacity.
What are the disadvantages of a lithium leisure battery?
The main drawbacks are the higher purchase price, the need for lithium-compatible chargers and the charging pause below 0 °C. None of them is a problem in a well-planned system.
- Price: higher at the start, spread over up to 6,000 cycles.
- Chargers: old lead-acid chargers without a lithium profile must be replaced or reconfigured.
- BMS protection: if you draw too much current or fully empty it, the BMS disconnects the battery to protect it. Size the inverter to the battery.
Lithium-ion or LiFePO4? LiFePO4 is a type of lithium battery, and it is the chemistry of our leisure battery: it is considered more thermally stable than the lithium-ion chemistries used in phones and laptops.
Not sure how to size your 12 V system?
Send us your appliances and how you travel (weekends, several days, full time). Our France-based technical team answers within 24 hours and can build a custom kit.
Ask our technical teamFrequently asked questions
Can I mix a lithium and an AGM battery in the same bank?
No. They need different charge voltages and behave differently, so one of them would be badly charged. Use one chemistry per battery bank.
Should I charge my lithium battery after every use?
It is not required. A LiFePO4 battery is happy to sit partly charged, unlike lead-acid. Let solar, the alternator or hook-up top it up when they are available.
Can I charge a lithium leisure battery while driving?
Yes, through a DC/DC charger such as the Victron Orion-Tr Smart 12/12-30A, which switches on only when the engine is running and delivers up to 30 A.
Does the battery have Bluetooth monitoring?
Yes. You can check charge, health and history from your phone. In the VANPOWER kits the Victron components are monitored in the VictronConnect app.
Is the lithium battery approved for a campervan conversion?
It is R10 certified. Check your national rules (DVLA/VCA, TÜV, RDW) for the approval of your conversion.
What warranty does the battery have in the VANPOWER kit?
The LiFePO4 battery supplied in the VANPOWER and VANPOWER SMART kits comes with a 5-year warranty.
Pick your capacity, add an inverter if you need 230 V, and get a wiring diagram with every kit.
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