We have been reviewing a number of items related to power for RV travel, off-grid living, and disaster planning. Key to this topic is the need for reliable Lithium batteries. The battery manufacturers have made significant strides using high quality cells, leading edge battery management systems, and packaging. We recently reviewed the WattCycle 300Ah Mini Lithium Battery and found it to have massive power in a small package.

WattCycle 300Ah Mini Lithium Battery

Something that drew us to review this battery is this battery’s mini size without giving up its massive power. The battery measures only 15.12 x 7.64 x 10.04 inches which is slightly larger than a group 27 lead acid battery. This compact form factor brings large power to fit a variety of RV layouts.
The WattCycle 300Ah Mini is manufactured with grade A+ lithium cells reported to ensure up to 10 years of service life. The built-in BMS safeguards the 12V 300Ah Mini LiFePO4 battery cells against overcharge, over-discharge, over-load, and short circuit. It monitors battery status and ensures battery efficiency through individual cell balancing. The battery can provide 3840Wh high efficiency power output with a maximum 200A current.
The battery can operate in a wide temperature range -4℉ to 158℉ and automatically shuts off at low temperatures.

At the time of the blog, the battery is competitively priced at $599.99 and with the upcoming Black Friday Sale, the battery is listed at $499.99.

Testing The WattCycle 300Ah Mini Lithium Battery

We put the battery through extensive testing over a 3 day period including capacity, load, and placing in an RV to evaluate its use in a practical environment. Overall the battery met the stated specifications. See our video showing the details and results of our testing.

Overall the battery met our expectations for a 300Ah lithium battery. With it’s compact size, low temperature protection, and competitive pricing, the WattCycle 300Ah Mini Lithium Battery is a good option for RVs, off-grid, and disaster planning where high power is needed, size is a concern, and budgets are limited.

Out thanks to WattCycle for providing the WattCycle 300Ah Mini Lithium Battery for our review. We have provided helpful links below the video if you are needing more information about the battery or considering purchase.

Helpful Links:

WattCycle

WattCycle 300Ah Mini Lithium Battery (as reviewed)

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

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Many of our followers have been watching our ebike reviews, but stating they were needing something that was less expensive, yet had good quality. We’ve heard the request and after a long search found the isinwheel 26 inch ebike mountain bike style for an Amazon purchase off $399. This is budget friendly yet value priced ebike that didn’t skimp on features.

isinwheel 26 inch ebike mountain bike

The is a full size, 26” mountain style ebike. The ebike has a 500W high-speed motor capable of producing a top speed of up to 20MPH. The e-bike is capable of achieving 39-43 miles in full electric mode and 45-55 miles in pedal assist mode (PAS mode).

The ebike frame is made of aluminum alloy and we found it to be a sturdy high-step commuter-style ebike with a weight of 47 lbs.

With the 5 pedal assist modes and the 7 speed Shimano gears, travel uphill, downhill, good acceleration and deceleration, and maintaining a steady speed was easy to achieve. The 26″ tires performed well on the paved roads as well as loose gravel and sand. The high-strength front fork suspension, dual lights, LCD display, and front and rear mechanical disc brakes was perfect for day and night travel. The 36V 374.4WH removable Lithium-Ion battery can be fully charged in 3-4 hours.

The isinwheel 26 inch ebike mountain bike comes with a 12-month warranty.

From unboxing to ride ready, it took us less than an hour to assemble using the supplied tool kit.

For $399, we were amazed with the build quality of the ebike. We planned to ride the bike for a few minutes to show its functions, but was so impressed with the performance, we continued for over an hour tackling steep grade roads in a nearby neighborhood and along a recreational lake in areas with loose gravel and sand. Overall, the isinwheel 26 inch ebike mountain bike performed very well.

If you’re looking for a value priced ebike, you may want to consider the isinwheel 26 inch ebike mountain bike currently selling on Amazon for $399 as of November 2024. Out thanks to isinwheel providing the ebike for our review. We have provided a link below the video if you are considering a purchase or wanting more information.

Helpful Links:

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

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A portable refrigerator can be a big benefit for RV travel. We tested the Vevor J60 60L 12V DC portable refrigerator freezer and found it to be well suited for RV travel, van and bus builds, and camping of all types. The large capacity of 60L or 63 quarts, very efficient 12V DC compressor requiring low power to operate, and the large wheels and carry handle made this a great addition for our travel needs. And with the 2024 Black Friday sale, the Vevor J60 can be purchased for $229!

Vevor J60 60L 12V DC Portable Refrigerator Freezer

This portable refrigerator freezer has a single compartment capacity of 60 L / 63.4 qt. To put the size in perspective, the Vevor J60 can hold 100 cans of soft drinks or 26 bottles of wine. We’ll us for our beach outings, tail gating, and for overflow on our long RV trips.

The fridge uses compressor cooling technology with cooling temperatures of -4°F to 68F. Using the MAX setting we were able to cool the refrigerator to 38F in less than 2 hours. The LED control panel allowed us to view the operation status of the refrigerator and adjust the temperature range at any time. In ECO energy-saving mode, the operating power of this portable fridge is less than 49W. The refrigerator is very quite with a noise level of ≤ 45dB.

A full portable refrigerator can be heavy and with the large wheels and telescopic handle moving Vevor j60 was effortless and stable. We also like that Vevor provides both 110/240V AC and 12/24V DC adapters, making it suitable for RV, home, off-grid, boats, cars, trucks, vans, and outdoor camping.

We also like the variable battery protection modes offered supporting both lead acid and Lithium profiles. See the chart below:

The Vevor J60 60L 12V DC Portable Refrigerator Freezer worked well plugged into 120V AC power requiring around 45 watts of power. We also powered using a 614 kWh portable power station. Using the 12V DC plug, the J60 ran for 20 hours, we used around 23 percent of the available power. When the refrigerator is idle and at temp, the unit will send a “keep-alive” momentary power for a second to prevent the portable power supply from shutting down due to idle time.

This a very good addition for RV travel and the Black Friday price of $229 is hard to beat. And for van and bus builds, the price point is so low where two J60s could be used, one as a refrigerator and the second as a freezer. A substantial cost saving when compared to a 12V DC vertical refrigerator all with a very lower power requirement.

Our thanks to Vevor providing the J60 12V DC Portable Refrigerator Freezer for our review. We have provided links below the video if you are interested in purchasing a J60 for you travels or wanting additional information.

Helpful Links:

Vevor J50 60L 12V DV Portable Refrigerator Freezer
Use code VEVT5 and save 5%

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

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Sign up to receive an email notification as we post new RV travels, RV tips and information about RV life in general. It’s simple. Just enter your name and email address on the Subscribe to our newsletter form located at the bottom of this page and click subscribe.

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The cost of Lithium batteries had decreased significantly over the past 12 months. This is great news for the RV traveler who needs more 12V power during those times when campground power isn’t available. This is also beneficial for those who live off-grid and battery power is important for their disaster recovery plans. With these lower prices we’re now able to purchase larger capacity lithium batteries without blowing the budget. BUT! Charging these batteries can be an issue if placed in an older RV where the charger-converter doesn’t support a lithium charging profile. Or more so, for the off-grid power needs if the sun doesn’t shine for several days and the batteries are running low. For those large amperage lithium batteries, that’s where a LiTime 80 Amp Lithium Battery Charger comes to the rescue. This 120V AC powered high amperage lithium battery charger can be the perfect solution bring those 300Ah and larger batteries back to a full charge and fast.

Why A High Amperage Battery Charger Is Important

When charging a 300Ah battery and larger capacity batteries, time can be critical especially during periods where there’s limited sun. If the battery is part of an off-grid solution and solar charging is reduced, the only option is a generator and an AC powered charger. Using a low amperage charge, may fit the budget short term, but the savings will be quickly offset with the cost of full running a generator for long periods to charge the battery. That’s were a unit such as a LiTime 80 Amp Lithium Battery Charger can be beneficial, quickly charging a large lithium battery installations all while saving costly generator fuel.

LiTime 80 Amp Lithium Battery Charger

When charging a Lithium battery a number of key factors should be followed to protect the battery and ensure its longevity. The LiTime 80 Amp Lithium Battery Charger is designed for 12V LiFePO4 batteries with a 3-stage charging mode (Pre-charge, CC, CV) and 4 safety protections during charging including:

• Over temperature protection,
• Output short-circuit protection,
• Reverse polarity connection protection, and
• Output over-voltage protection.

The charger has LED display indicators to show battery charging status and an ON/OFF switch making it easy to operate. During our use, we found the charger aluminum alloy shell provided good heat dissipation throughout a battery’s charging duration.

This charger can activate an idle or weak battery and restore it to its normal voltage if battery’s BMS protection is triggered and the battery voltage is too low.

Testing The LiTime 80 Amp Lithium Battery Charger

We had a LiTime 300Ah battery from a previous evaluation and completely discharged the battery until it’s BMS shut the battery off. This was done to test the battery charger’s ability to charge a battery where the BMS protection is triggered or the battery voltage is too low. When we connected the charger and powered up, the battery BMS woke up and the charging process started with no issues.

In out test, we found the battery charger consistently provide 77 to 78 amps of charging power with a high efficiency only using 14A of 120V AC power. The charger restored the battery in approximately 3 hours. During the test, we checked the temperature of charger case, top of the battery, and the charging cables. Battery and charger case were slightly warm and of no concern. There charging cables were warm to touch and our laser thermometer registered cable temperatures at 103 to 104 degrees throughout the test. Of little concern due to the fact of time to charge and the high amperage from the charger. Per specifications, once the battery was fully charged, the charger went into idle mode.

We have been using the charger on large capacity batteries over the past several weeks and along with these tests, found the charger to operate well charging the larger capacity batteries quickly. See the video below to see the details of our test and results. As discussed in the video, I have have provided the voltages for lithium battery capacity.

One note, not all lithium batteries can support an 80 amp charger, this is especially true for most 100 and 200 amp batteries. For these needs, we use a LiTime 20 Amp Lithium Battery Charger. LiTime also has 40 and 60 Amp chargers available. It’s important that you review the specifications of your battery and use an appropriate sized battery charger.

Our thanks to LiTime providing the charger for our review. We have provided links below the video if you are needing more information about LiTime’s lithium batteries and chargers.

Helpful Links:

HEYBIKE – Explore Our Ebikes >>

Use discount code LOVERV100 and save $100 off purchase!

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

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Sign up to receive an email notification as we post new RV travels, RV tips and information about RV life in general. It’s simple. Just enter your name and email address on the Subscribe to our newsletter form located at the bottom of this page and click subscribe.

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Adding ebike has made a big difference in our RV travels. Aside from the leisure aspect, we use an ebike for our for shopping trips, running errands, and as an alternative to driving around burning expensive diesel in our F-350 dually. We had the opportunity to review the new HEYBIKE Mars 2.0 ebike. The is an affordable electric bike with great features perfect for RV travel.

HEYBIKE Mars 2.0 ebike

When it comes to traveling with an ebike, storage and transport can be a challenge. We’ve found an ebike that folds fits well in the back of a truck or in our case, the lower storage area of our Montana 5th wheel. With just 4 simple steps, the Mars 2.0 ebike can be folded up within seconds, making it easy to store for travel. The HEYBIKE Mars 2.0 ebike has a very sturdy aluminum frame that can support a large adult with the folding frame, handle bars, and each peddle, makes transporting from campground to campground easy.

The Mars 2.0 comes in two options for drive motor power – a 750 Watt and 1000 Watt versions. We tested the 1000 Watt version.

HEYBIKE Mars 2.0 Ebike Features

• Rear rack load up to 120 lbs. With peg boards on both sides, making it easy to attach a water bottle, bike lock and more.
• 1000 Watt bike tested had hydraulic disc brakes providing strong braking power and control. The 750 Watt version (not part of our evaluation) has mechanical brakes.
• 5 peddle assist power settings that can be easily adjusted to customize the riders experience.
• Front suspension effortlessly absorbs rough terrain
• We especially liked the large 20” X 4” fat tires which help negotiate rocky areas, gravel, and sand.
• 600Wh battery can provide power up to 45 miles depending on terrain.
• This is an adult sized ebike support up to 330lb of weigh including rider and added cargo.
• Free HEYBIKE smart phone app enhances the control of the ebike and to personalize the ebike’s settings.

Our HEYBIKE Mars 2.0 Ebike Ride Experience

We took the ebike to the Lake Tobesofkee Recreation Area located in Middle Georgia and road through the campground, access roads, and trails. This was a perfect location to test the ebike features with the hilly landscape, and off the paved roads in loose gravel and sand. The ebike had more than enough power to negotiate the steepest hills with more to spare. We also like the ease of riding the ebike off pavement where the large 20” fat tires minimize slipping.

All the ebike controls are within a fingers reach making it easy to access the breaks, shift gears, and change power settings as needed.

See the video below where we show the simple installation from shipping box to ride, along with other features, and our ride experience.

Our thanks to HEYBIKE providing the Mars 2.0 ebike for our review. See our links below the video for more information about this ebike and use LOVERV100 to receive an additional $100 off your ebike purchase.

Helpful Links:

HEYBIKE – Explore Our Ebikes >>

Use discount code LOVERV100 and save $100 off purchase!

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

Receive the latest updates from I Love RV Life!

Sign up to receive an email notification as we post new RV travels, RV tips and information about RV life in general. It’s simple. Just enter your name and email address on the Subscribe to our newsletter form located at the bottom of this page and click subscribe.

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We continue to explore RV and off-grid power solutions. One issue to upgrading RV batteries and creating off-grid power has been the cost of lithium batteries. We have an upgrade planned for our daughter and her husbands camper and found a quality battery with high capacity and at a budget price. We evaluated the Power Queen 12V 200Ah Plus Battery and found this to be a perfect solution for their off-grid camper power requirements.

Power Queen 12V 200Ah Plus Battery

The Power Queen 12V 200Ah Plus Battery Provide 200A BMS is rated at 3584Wh of energy and a great solution for RV, marine, and off-grid systems.

The battery provides low temperature cutoff at -32F, with reliable protection, will resume charging at 41F degrees, and cut off discharging at -4F degrees. A good solution for RV and off-grid needs when used in harsh low-temp environments.

The battery is ideal for RV installations with the compact design at 20.5” x 9.45” x 8.58” and rugged protection of IP65. The battery is reported to last up to 10 years with 4000+ cycles @ 100% DOD.

One note. This is the Plus version of Power Queens 200 Ah lithium batteries and is also rated to use for trolling motors, but this battery is NOT suitable to be used as a starter battery, golf cart battery, or for high-power applications.

Power Queen 12V 200Ah Plus Battery Specifications

• Rated Voltage: 12.8V
• Charging Voltage: 14.4 ±0.2V
• Rated Capacity: 250Ah
• Usable Capacity: 280Ah
• Energy: 3584Wh
• Max. Continuous Output Power: 2560W
• Max. Continuous Discharge Current: 200A
• BMS: 200A
• Dimension: 20.55” x 9.45” x 8.58”
• Weight: 59.33lbs
• Protection Class: IP65
• Charge: 32°F to 122°F
• Discharge: -4°F to 140°F
• Storage: 14’F to 122°F
• Number of Cycles: 4000+cycles at 100% DOD, 8000+cycles at 80% DOD, 15000+cycles at 60% DOD

Testing Results

We conducted testing to validate the battery capacity and load rating. We also placed the battery in a typical RV environment installing in our Montana 5th wheel. See the video below for the details and actual testing results.

Overall the Power Queen 12V 200Ah Plus Battery performed very well and met the requirements for our future RV off-grid installation.

Our thanks to Power Queen for providing the battery for our review. See the links below the video for more information about Power Queen 12V 200Ah Plus Battery.

Helpful Links:

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

Receive the latest updates from I Love RV Life!

Sign up to receive an email notification as we post new RV travels, RV tips and information about RV life in general. It’s simple. Just enter your name and email address on the Subscribe to our newsletter form located at the bottom of this page and click subscribe.

Purchased use of Digital Juice BackTraxx 1 End User License Agreement for Travelin. The Music may be used, altered, or incorporated according to the guidelines described herein into any production (including but not limited to, broadcast, commercial, industrial, educational, and personal).