Mover battery in the caravan: Which battery is suitable for the maneuvering aid?

A mover is the "stress-free button" at the campsite. You can maneuver your caravan into the pitch with millimeter precision, even when space is tight or the ground is not perfect. For this to work reliably, the mover needs a battery that can deliver very high currents for short periods. That is exactly why the mover battery in the caravan is not simply "just any 12-V battery". In this guide, you will learn what really matters when choosing the right mover battery and how to integrate it effectively into your overall system. Why not every battery is suitable for the mover Movers do not draw a constant amount of current while maneuvering. What matters are the moments when a real load is applied: Starting up (the highest current pulse) Inclines or when you have to cross an edge Heavy caravan or tandem-axle caravan Therefore, the following applies: The peak current (A) is at least as important as the capacity (Ah). A battery can have a lot of Ah on paper. But if it cannot cleanly deliver the required current peaks, the voltage will drop. Result: The mover feels sluggish, switches off, or does not get moving at all.These two values make the difference If you check two things in the data sheet, they are: Peak current / discharge current (A) (peak and short-term) Usable capacity (significantly higher with lithium than with lead) Battery types for movers: LiFePO4 vs. AGM vs. Gel: which one is right for you? In the caravan environment, you will mainly find three technologies: LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) AGM (Lead-AGM) Gel / conventional lead-acid LiFePO4: lightweight, highly usable. The BMS must be suitable LiFePO4 is currently the most popular upgrade option because it combines several advantages: Significantly lighter, good for the payload Very high usable capacity: You can use almost the full Ah rating High cycle life Important: With LiFePO4, it is not only the cell that matters, but also the BMS (Battery Management System). If the BMS does not allow the high currents, it will switch off. The mover will then stop. AGM: proven, robust, but heavier and less usable AGM batteries are a classic in the caravan sector. They are maintenance-free, deliver decent currents, and work well for many mover setups. Two disadvantages compared to lithium: Significantly more weight Less usable capacity: You should not discharge lead batteries too deeply Gel/Wet: usually not the first choice for mover operation Gel and wet batteries can be okay for onboard power applications. However, for mover operation with high current peaks, they are often not the best choice. Comparison at a glance Criterion LiFePO4 AGM Gel/Wet Weight very good medium rather poor Usable capacity very good medium medium Current peaks (Mover) very good (if BMS is suitable) good (with good quality) often weaker Price higher medium rather affordable What capacity (Ah) does a mover battery need in the caravan? That depends on how you want to use the battery. Let's look at three different application options: Mover-only (You are almost always connected to shore power otherwise)Then you primarily need enough capacity for a few maneuvering maneuvers and enough peak current so that the mover works properly. Often smaller, mover-suitable batteries are sufficient here, provided the discharge current is right. Mover + onboard power (Lights, pump, charging small items) Then you should plan the capacity more generously. You not only want to maneuver for a few minutes, but also power appliances. Mover + full autonomy (Solar/Charge booster/Inverter)This is the most demanding variant. Here, the battery becomes the energy hub: mover, lights, pump, charging, possibly inverter. Everything runs together. Which capacity is right for which setup? Mover-only: A compact battery is sufficient if the discharge current is right. The WATTSTUNDE NOVA Base 2 60 Ah is a solid choice here. Mover + onboard power: More capacity for lights, pump, etc. The NOVA Base 2 100 Ah usually covers this range well. Mover + full autonomy: Depending on the appliances you want to operate, you need significantly more storage. The NOVA Core 2 is available from 180 Ah to 500 Ah and can be tailored to your actual needs. Think briefly about how you actually use the mover: How many maneuvers per arrival? How heavy is the caravan? On what surface? Exactly that determines how much capacity you really need. Everything beyond that is onboard power planning. Our solar calculator helps you calculate how large your batteries need to be. That is why the WATTSTUNDE NOVA batteries are particularly suitable for movers The NOVA series by WATTSTUNDE was specifically developed for demanding 12-V applications and meets exactly the requirements that a mover demands: High discharge currents without BMS limitationThe BMS of the NOVA batteries is designed for high peak currents. Both the NOVA Base 2 and the NOVA Core 2 reliably deliver the necessary peaks without switching off prematurely. Compact design, low weightEspecially in mover-only setups, every kilo of payload counts. The NOVA Base 2 60 Ah is compactly designed and can be stored space-efficiently in the caravan. Flexibly scalableFrom the compact 60-Ah variant for pure mover applications to the NOVA Core 2 with up to 500 Ah for fully autonomous systems, you can choose the right capacity without compromising on peak current. Proven LiFePO4 technologyAlmost 100 percent usable capacity, long service life, and maintenance-free. The NOVA batteries are designed for many thousands of charge cycles and are thus a long-term investment. Transparent technical dataWATTSTUNDE clearly states all relevant values in the data sheet: continuous discharge current, peak current, and BMS parameters. This way you know exactly what you get. You can find an overview of the batteries here: https://solarkontor.de/pages/nova-zwei-batterien Mover requirements by manufacturer: Truma, Reich/easydriver, AL-KO, Enduro Movers are not all the same. That is why a quick data check is worth it before you select a battery. The following overview shows both the current draw on level ground and the peak current requirements: Truma Mover Single-axle: at least 20 Ah / 140 A peak current Tandem-axle: at least 30 Ah / 170 A peak current Current draw on level ground: Mover Smart A: approx. 35 A Smart M: approx. 28 A Mover XT: approx. 25 A Mover XT L: approx. 20 A Reich easydriver All models: guideline 180 A peak current, which should be provided for at least three seconds The easydriver range includes manual models (Basic for single-axle up to 1.6 t, Active also for tandem-axle) and fully automatic variants (Pro, Infinity) Current draw on level ground: Basic 1.6: approx. 20 A Active 2.0: approx. 20 A Active 2.3: approx. 20 A Pro 2.0: approx. 20 A Infinity 2.5: approx. 18 A AL-KO Mammut (fully automatic): as a guideline 80 A peak current Ranger (manually powered): as a guideline 60 A peak current Current draw on level ground: Ranger: approx. 20 A Mammut: approx. 30 A Enduro Different requirements depending on the version and set solution Enduro also offers complete solutions like the All In with integrated removable batteries Current draw on level ground: on average approx. 40 A Fritz Berger Platinum Series Current draw on level ground: 25 A (min) to 76 A (max) Important: The current draw on level ground is significantly lower than when starting up and on inclines. For the battery selection, the peak current is crucial. The specifications in the manual of your specific mover model are always binding. Practical tip: Do not plan right on the edge. A battery that barely makes the peak often feels less confident in reality, especially on inclines, edges, or wet ground. WATTSTUNDE NOVA 2: Batteries for your mover: The NOVA 2 series by WATTSTUNDE was specifically developed for demanding 12-V applications and brings exactly what a mover needs: high peak currents, precise battery monitoring, and a BMS that does not switch off at the first current pulse. Model Capacity Continuous discharge current Peak current (30 s) Weight Recommended use NOVA Base 2 60 Ah 60 Ah / 768 Wh 120 A 180 A 6.6 kg Mover-only: Light to medium single-axle caravans, compact solution NOVA Base 2 100 Ah 100 Ah / 1280 Wh 150 A 200 A 11.4 kg Mover-only or Mover + onboard power: Heavier caravans, frequent maneuvering NOVA Base 2 200 Ah 200 Ah / 2560 Wh 300 A 350 A 21.2 kg Mover + onboard power: Extensive appliances, longer periods without shore power NOVA Core 2 100 Ah 100 Ah / 1280 Wh 200 A 250 A 11.6 kg Mover + onboard power with monitoring: App monitoring, CAN-Bus for Victron systems NOVA Core 2 150 Ah 150 Ah / 1920 Wh 200 A 250 A 17.5 kg Mover + onboard power with monitoring: More capacity, full connectivity NOVA Core 2 180 Ah 180 Ah / 2304 Wh 200 A 250 A 19.6 kg Mover + extended autonomy: Solar, charge booster, extensive appliances NOVA Core 2 200 Ah 200 Ah / 2560 Wh 200 A 250 A 21.5 kg Mover + extended autonomy: Higher capacity for longer periods without shore power NOVA Core 2 320 Ah 320 Ah / 4096 Wh 250 A 300 A 27.7 kg Complete autonomy: solar, inverter, several days of use without recharging NOVA Core 2 500 Ah 500 Ah / 6400 Wh 300 A 350 A 46.5 kg Maximum autonomy: large systems, inverter, long-term independence You can find an overview and more information about the entire NOVA 2 series here: https://solarkontor.de/pages/nova-zwei-batterien When choosing the right Mover battery for your caravan, peak current (A) and realistically planned usable capacity are particularly important. LiFePO4 batteries are currently the best choice for most Mover applications. They are significantly lighter than AGM batteries, offer almost 100 percent usable capacity, and deliver high discharge currents. However, it is crucial that the BMS is designed for Mover operation. Not every LiFePO4 battery can deliver the necessary peak currents without shutting down prematurely. The NOVA Base 2 60 Ah is particularly interesting for Mover-only setups: weighing just 6.6 kg, it is significantly lighter than comparable AGM batteries, but with a peak current of 180 A, it delivers more than enough power for all common single-axle Movers. The 60 Ah capacity is easily sufficient for several maneuvers, and thanks to its compact design, it can also be installed in tight spaces. If you usually use shore power and only use the Mover for maneuvering, a compact battery such as the NOVA Base 2 60 Ah or 100 Ah is sufficient. If you also power onboard electrical devices, you should choose the NOVA Base 2 100 Ah or 200 Ah. For complete autonomy with solar and an inverter, the NOVA Core 2 models from 180 Ah are the right choice, as they also feature app monitoring and CAN bus integration. Choosing the right Mover battery requires careful planning. If you match the peak current and capacity to your actual requirements, you will have a solution that works reliably and lasts a long time.

Mover battery in the caravan: Which battery is right for your maneuvering aid?

Why not every battery is suitable for the mover