Powering the RV Lifestyle: John and Patty Tracey’s Journey with LiTime Batteries

John and Patty Tracey, full-time RVers with a passion for travel and adventure, have spent years exploring the country in their RV. As seasoned travelers, they’ve come to appreciate the importance of reliable power systems for off-grid living. John, an electronics enthusiast, has continually upgraded their RV's power systems, and after discovering LiTime batteries through YouTube reviews, he made them the cornerstone of their energy setup.

About John and Patty Tracey

John and Patty have always led an active lifestyle, both on the road and in their personal hobbies. While John enjoys upgrading their RV power systems and photography using his Nikon camera, Patty stays active through pickleball, yoga, and kayaking with their foldable Oru kayaks. Despite some health setbacks, John and Patty continue to embrace RV living, exploring new destinations, and connecting with fellow travelers.

Both enjoy traveling around the country full-time in their RV and experiencing all the different places it takes them.

Why LiTime Batteries Are the Heart of Their RV Power System

John first learned about LiTime batteries (formerly Ampere Time) through Will Prowse’s thorough YouTube reviews, which praised their quality and affordability. After careful research, John decided to integrate LiTime’s 300Ah batteries into their RV’s power system, creating a 900Ah battery bank that has kept them powered through all their adventures.

Key Benefits of LiTime Batteries for RV Living:

• Reliability: The Traceys have never experienced a power failure, even during extended periods of off-grid living.
• Efficient Energy Management: With their solar panels and LiTime MPPT charger, John ensures their batteries stay charged, even when the sun isn’t cooperating.
• Remote Monitoring: Using the Victron Cerbo GX system, connected via StarLink satellite internet, John can monitor the state of charge in real-time, receiving alerts if the battery reaches low levels.

Overcoming Off-Grid Challenges

Living off-grid in an RV comes with challenges, the biggest being unpredictable weather. John explains that cloudy days or continuous rain can prevent their solar panels from recharging the batteries fully. In those cases, they reduce their energy use, often turning off the inverter at night to conserve power. Once the sun returns, the batteries are back to full capacity within a few days, thanks to their efficient solar system.

Below is the interview from LiTime to John and Patty

How do you maintain your batteries to ensure they're performing at their best?

Lithium batteries require very little maintenance. In fact we leave all of that up to our charging systems and battery monitor. These complex, yet simple to use, electronic components keep the batteries from overcharging and over discharging. In a case where our batteries may run low, our battery monitor will trigger a system alarm to let me know. If the batteries actually reach their low limit, the internal Battery Monitoring System (BMS) will turn them off. I have my Victron Cerbo GX system connected to my StarLink satellite internet so I will get a warning even if I am not at the RV. This warning will come at my chosen, preset, low state of charge of 20%. 

Was there anything surprising or unexpected when setting up or installing your RV system?

When we decided to build our first RV power system centered around lithium batteries, I realized I had a steep learning curve ahead. I already had a high understanding of both RV and Residential electrical systems. I also know a lot about electronics and batteries.  However both solar and large lithium batteries were new to me. I had a lot to learn.  

I did a lot of research. I learned a lot.  I watched videos from multiple sources on YouTube. I read everything I could from every good website I could find. Will Prowse from DIY Solar / Mobile SolarPower and Nate Yarbrough from Explorist.Life. were both incredible resources. There were and still are some many other great wealths of knowledge out there. I guess I am joining their ranks as I have become a source of information for so many others who are progressing up to lithium batteries, solar and inverters. 

When did you first come across LiTime products or why did you choose LiTime?

My first introduction to LiTime batteries was by watching YouTube videos of battery tests done by Will Prowse. His tests were very thorough and he is quite entertaining. Back then LiTime was called Ampere Time.  His reviews and tests of their batteries were always showing they were high quality at a good price. This has not changed even through their rebranding. We ended up buying 3 300Ah batteries that we are running in parallel in our power system. This 900Ah battery system is the heart of our entire power system.  We have never been without power the entire time we have had a large battery bank. I consistently recommend LiTime to others.  If they were not available when I built our power system I would not have been able to afford to build the power system I really need. 

Looking back, is there anything you wish you'd known before embarking on this lifestyle on the road and what are the key lessons you've learned along the way?

Before we hit the road we were pretty well prepared. In fact, we lived in our RV in our yard for over a month just to be sure we had everything.  In fact on our travels we discovered that we only missed a few teaspoons and one larger cooking pot. We had our mailing address changed to our daughter's house. We talk almost every day so she would keep us informed. The biggest challenge with living on the move is keeping up with medical problems.  We have most of our prescriptions filled at Walmart because they are in every state. Our insurance includes travel so that really helps.  

Almost all the people we meet who is a full time or part time RVer are great people. This lifestyle seems to breed excellence and heartfulness in into its members.  

Life on the Road: A Dream Realized

John and Patty Tracey's RV journey began years ago when their three kids were between the ages of 9 and 16. Determined to make lifelong memories, they embarked on their first-ever cross-country trip—a 30-day road adventure with a few ground rules: no hotels, no fast food, and no driving at night. During that month, they explored numerous national parks and discovered the magic of life on the road. What began as a family tent-camping trip out of their car sparked a passion for travel that would shape their lives forever.

The Start of Their RV Life

Their dream to travel by RV became a reality when they purchased their first motorhome, a run-down 1986 Yellowstone Class C. Priced at just $3,000, it was far from perfect—a loud, gas-guzzling machine with no fuel gauge and faulty mirrors. But it didn’t matter; they had discovered their love for RVing. Many years and four travel trailers later, with their children grown, John and Patty looked forward to retirement and the freedom to live full-time on the road.

As school teachers, John and Patty would spend every summer traveling across the country in their RV. They reveled in the joy of having a home that moved with them, where the front yard changed with each new destination. Their love for the RV lifestyle grew stronger with every trip, and they knew there was still so much more to see and experience.

Embracing the Comforts of RV Living

As the years went by, John and Patty began to appreciate the creature comforts of RV living—the little things like electricity, coffee makers, and streaming their favorite shows on Netflix. John's lifelong interest in electronics and power systems also played a role. In his younger years, he built and flew radio-controlled airplanes, even before lithium batteries were widely available. Back then, John would assemble his own battery packs, customizing them to suit his needs. This experience fueled his passion for modifying RV power systems, and with each new RV, he would create increasingly advanced setups.

Upgrading RV Power Systems with Lithium Batteries

One of the biggest leaps in their RV life was transitioning to lithium batteries. John, fascinated by the technology, quickly realized that lithium offered better performance and longevity compared to traditional lead-acid batteries. He upgraded their RV power system to include solar panels, inverters, and, eventually, LiTime’s lithium batteries. This allowed them to enjoy off-grid adventures without worrying about running out of power. Thanks to their 900Ah LiTime battery bank, they could power everything they needed, from small appliances to charging electronics.

The Realities of Full-Time RV Living

John and Patty are quick to note that RV life isn’t just a permanent vacation. It’s a lifestyle filled with ups and downs, challenges, and moments of pure joy. They’ve navigated the complexities of living on the road, from maintaining their power system to managing health and staying connected with family. But for them, the journey is part of the experience, and they wouldn’t trade it for anything.

As full-time RVers, they continue to explore the country, embracing the adventure that RV living offers. Whether parked in a quiet national park or boondocking off-grid in the wilderness, they’ve found a sense of freedom and fulfillment in life on the road.