For 4X4, camping and RV enthusiasts, a reliable battery is essential to charge devices and power accessories like your camping fridge and lights. Traditionally, you would need a dual battery setup to do this because (as many of us learned the hard way when we first started camping), if you were to use your vehicle’s starter battery to run everything, you usually wouldn’t be able to start your vehicle the next day as the battery was now flat as a tack.
So the options were to either risk a dead vehicle battery and be potentially stranded or install a dual battery system. But it seems there is now a middle ground. We upgraded the battery in the 2024 Volkswagen Amorok that we used to film Are you rvSafe with an Invicta Hybrid Lithium Starter Battery (the SNLHLN4MAX to be exact) and were pretty impressed with the result.
Here’s what impressed us
Invicta has a three-year under-the-hood full replacement warranty
You already know that lithium is superior to the older-style AGM batteries, so I’m not going to bang on about that. The problem in the past has been that lithium batteries were not commonly covered under warranty under the hood because they traditionally don’t cope well with heat. Well, Invicta has fixed that pesky problem and are even willing to back it up with a three-year under-the-hood warranty.
How? Well, to get a little nerdy, these Invicta hybrid batteries have a specially designed thermal protection layer along with the unique A123 cell, meaning they can withstand a high rate of discharge/charge. If none of this makes sense, all you need to know is that they are robust enough to cope when things get hot, so they can be safely installed under your bonnet, giving you all the benefits of lithium without an expensive dual-battery install.
It performs way better than the AGM battery we originally had
Given that we’re comparing lithium to AGM, this one is a no-brainer. Here’s how the Invicta hybrid loosely compares to AGM in key areas:
| Feature | Invicta SNLHLN4MAX (Lithium) | AGM Battery |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | ~8.3 kg | 20-30 kg |
| Cycle life (100% DoD) | 2000+ cycles | 300-500 cycles |
| Cold cranking amps | 1000 | 600-800 |
| Charging rate | 600A | 30-50A |
| Heat resistance | Up to 80°C | Limited |
| Bluetooth monitoring | Yes | No |
The higher power output means we had more power for accessories like a fridge, lights and the ability to charge devices and cameras, drones etc for the show. You can even use this particular Invicta hybrid battery in winching applications – which you can see from the image below, that we actually did when filming Are you rvSafe.
If you dig the data like we do, here are a few extra specs on the Invicta Hybrid Lithium SNLHLN4MAX battery you might like:
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Nominal Voltage | 12.8V |
| Nominal Capacity | 60Ah |
| Max Charge Voltage | 14.6 ± 0.1V |
| Max Discharge Current | 800A |
| Pulse Discharge Current | 2100A |
| Cold Cranking Amps | 1000A |
| Operating Temperature Range | -20°C to 80°C |
| IP Rating | IP56 |
Bluetooth monitoring so we can keep an eye on things
To ensure you don’t run your battery down too low, you can keep an eye on things via an app that talks with the battery via Bluetooth. This allows you to quickly see your battery capacity, voltage, current, state of charge, state of health, status and temperature. But more importantly (and my personal favourite feature), you can activate a jump-start feature. Speaking of which …
It has a jump-start feature!
A small percentage of the Invicta hybrid starter battery is kept in reserve just in case you accidentally drain it and can’t get started. Hey…it happens to the best of us. With the push of a button, you’ll be able to release the reserve capacity and get your vehicle started again. Once you start driving, the battery will of course, be able to charge up again.
You can see why this battery is now a serious contender as an alternative to a dual battery setup.
Our installation experience
Tools and initial setup
A socket set and a few basic spanners were all that was needed for our rig. While there were no unexpected challenges, lifting the heavy AGM battery out of our high-set 4X4 without scratching the quarter panel was like trying to get a toddler out of a car seat without banging their head on the pillar. Installing the lightweight Invicta battery was a breeze by comparison. I’d go as far to say that it’s light enough to handle with one hand for most people.
Fitment and compatibility
The Invicta hybrid battery will fit most vehicles with no problems, but they have a fitment guide if you want to double-check.
The Invicta hybrid slotted into the factory battery position perfectly with no adjustments or modifications. This wasn’t a fluke. Invicta has specifically designed this battery to fit standard 4×4 battery mounts.
Connection process
Connecting the terminals was straightforward, with terminal positions aligning well with the Amarok’s setup. The Invicta hybrid battery integrates easily into the factory wiring, so if you’re using it in a similar 4X4, you won’t need any special adapters.
Checking out the Jump-Start feature
Of course we tested it out – who wouldn’t? Pressing the button activates a 30-second reserve window, giving the engine a chance to turn over. This could quite literally be a lifesaver in some situations, so this is no gimmick.
Connecting to Bluetooth
With three Invicta apps on the Apple App Store, we had to make sure we chose the correct one—the Invicta Hybrid app—but the setup was otherwise very straightforward. The app connected to the battery right away and displayed useful information, including battery health, voltage, state of charge, temperature, and more.
While the app doesn’t require authentication to connect, it only provides read-only data, so security is minimal but adequate for monitoring purposes.
Tips for installing
You’ll need to take a squiz at the instalment guide but in general, there are a few things you should always do to safely replace a battery.
How has it gone so far?
Since installing the Invicta hybrid battery around six months ago, the Amarok has shown no compatibility issues or loss of settings (though this may vary by model). So far, the battery powers our off-road setup seamlessly, running all of our gear without a hitch. Charging directly from the alternator has been smooth, with no signs of undercharging or overheating. Plus, it’s fun to watch the numbers in the app. No problems so far!
The verdict?
The Invicta’s combination of high power, durability, and lightweight design make it a strong choice over AGM, especially when high-demand accessories are involved. In addition, the ability to have the power of lithium under the hood and a jump-start reserve make this battery a strong contender as a dual-battery alternative. For those of you not ready to take the leap into single-battery status, the Invicta hybrid starter would also be a top choice for upgrading your second battery. More power is always a winner in our book!
Sounds like an interesting idea. How do you go about connecting your camping gear to this system. Obviously, a second battery in a battery box has plugs etc whereas this is tucked away in the engine bay