Dakota Lithium Blog

Choosing the right lithium battery for your RV, camper, or van starts with understanding your power needs. Learn how to size your battery bank, compare Dakota Lithium battery options, and choose the right setup for reliable off-grid camping.

OVERLAND EXPO WEST 2024 RECAP At the 15th Anniversary of Overland Expo West, we at Dakota Lithium brought our signature energy to the event, perfectly matching the electric atmosphere. Over 29,000 attendees enjoyed a wealth of experiences, from enlightening educational sessions to exclusive exhibitor showcases, vibrant parties, and a palpable sense of camaraderie. Celebrating this significant milestone was truly memorable, leaving everyone buzzing with excitement. BEST BATTERIES FOR OVERLANDING  At Dakota Lithium, we're renowned for our lightweight and powerful batteries, and we were thrilled to showcase their capabilities at Overland Expo West. Our presence underscored the importance of reliable power solutions for overland enthusiasts like you. As the festivities wind down, anticipation builds for the next adventure at Overland Expo...

Where to Camp in Western Canada   Navigating Western Canada You might find yourself asking "Where to camp in Western Canada" No worries, this is how I do it. Open iOverlander anywhere in Canada and you'll undoubtedly find an endless suggestion of places to camp. It shouldn’t come as a surprise, but that prime oceanfront site in a residential area isn’t legal even if a few people have gotten away with it. To help your next Canadian road trip go smoothly, I have put together this guide about Where to Camp in Western Canada: From Free to Fee.    Canada has some incredible campsites that are free; however, they’re likely nowhere near the spots you’ve lusted over on instagram. The...

Can you Boondock in the Winter Months? Chaos, Kiddos & Harmony's Home on Wheels Let us look at the Pro’s & Cons   Last winter we, meaning I, decided we wanted to spend the winter months RV’ing in a cold climate. To be exact we chose Santa Fe, New Mexico, and although initially without knowing, one may assume this is a warm area in the southwest. But, you may be surprised to find out that this area is in fact cold and has temps in the teens during the winter months. We flourished in the cold and snow, skiing, snowboarding and ample snowball fights and we loved every moment, but and there is a big but… we were prepared and...

What you need to know before you Boondock! So what do you need to know before you boondock? Let us answer that for you. Once you have completed your Solar Power System you will probably be eager and excited to put it to use. Before you hit the open road for those picture worthy views you will need to be prepared. The detail, planning and preparedness behind boondocking is what will make it or break it for you. You must imagine you would not just hop on a plane to a destination with no bags packed. You would pack, prepare, and get ready!  Dakota Lithium 12v 200Ah Preparing your RV goes beyond just having your Solar Power System ready to...

How using solar panels and lithium batteries can save you money while RVing  SHOP DAKOTA LITHIUM One of the biggest misconceived notions about RVing and RV life is that it is a great way to save money- and although that statement could be true in some instances, in most you are spending money and often a lot of it to be an RVer. Dakota Lithium 12V 200Ah   Talking about how much money you are spending is one thing but let’s look at how you can save money? What products can we use to help achieve this and what are you typically spending your most amount of money on while out on the road in your RV. I find that...

Complete Guide for purchasing batteries for your RV   After you purchase your RV one of the next purchases that should be top of mind is, which battery will you buy for your tiny home on wheels. Your battery may not seem important right away but as you delve into RVing you will see that having the right battery that will last, that you can rely on and that supports your RVing needs will be crucial. An RV battery can be just as important as any other purchase you make when it comes to RVing. How to choose a Lithium Battery for RVs, Campers & Vans RV batteries vary greatly, and the different types differ in cost, reliability, construction, maintenance...

Identifying Battery Draining Culprits   It’s been two years since we completed our van conversion, so we’ve had time to learn what drains an RV Battery the fastest. While we have never run out of power, we cannot imagine a worse feeling. We built our van to enjoy mountain bike, surf and ski trips with the comforts afforded by our customized adventure build. We want to wake up on remote campsites, but we also want to make fresh coffee, keep the fridge running, and fire up the furnace on cold weather trips. J. Bartlett Port Albeni, Canada Fortunately, we started with a solid foundation. Our electrical system is powered by two Dakota Lithium 12V 100Ah Deep Cycle LIFEPO4 batteries wired...

3 Things to consider when shopping for solar panels Shop Dakota Lithium Solar Solutions Whether it’s during construction of a brand new van conversion or adding charging capacity to an existing RV electrical system, there is plenty to consider when shopping for solar panels. While it is possible to make changes or upgrades later, it’s always more economical and easier to implement the right system from the beginning.  Solar Panels and Dakota Lithium Batteries on a Sprinter Van Because every application is different, it’s impossible to create a one-size-fits-all guide. Whether the solar panels are being installed to power a tiny house or folded up to be carried into the backcountry, this three step checklist highlights the most important things...

Where can we go with our new solar panels and batteries?  Best RV Batteries for Boondocking? We all have seen the vast landscapes with RVs in the middle of nowhere boondocking and running off solar panels and batteries. The first thing that may come to mind is, that must be located on the west coast. When we start to think about locations for boondocking, the west coast will always win with your immediate thoughts. What if I told you even travelling on the east coast you can find ample opportunities for boondocking, thus needing solar panels and batteries. Our combo empowers our outdoor adventures. With the right solar and Dakota Lithium Battery Bank, possibilities are endless! Chaos, Kiddos & Harmony's...

How to hook up your Solar Panels to RV BAtteries   When you first start to investigate solar power systems for your RV, there is a lot of information out there, and it can be a daunting and intimidating effort.  How do you even hook up your solar panels to RV batteries? You can relax, it is quite simple. Luckily for you there are a lot of great companies that have excellent products to complete your solar power system. Solar Panel Install- Chaos, Kiddos & Harmony In the last few years, RVing has become increasingly more popular.  The options of where to stay have become wide open for RVers. Not only do you have options to stay at RV Parks...

Most people have never heard of an 8D battery. Its big and found mostly in boats, but is increasingly used in off grid power systems and RVs. There are a lot of battery sizes and it can be confusing to figure out what battery you need for your boat, RV, or off-grid power system. Many different brands, battery sizes, types, and features to choose from. One of the largest sizes of RV & marine batteries is the 8D battery, which is a big battery not to be confused with the Duracell D type cell battery that you would put in a flash light. An 8D battery is much bigger, about the size of a carry on suitcase. We're here to...