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SpeedCaps™ For Your Deep-Cycle Battery

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U.S. Battery SpeedCaps™ Go Beyond Venting Deep-Cycle Battery Cells

The vent caps used on deep cycle batteries are designed to allow the escape of gases formed inside the battery when it is being charged and to limit the escape of electrolyte in normal operation. The vent caps are also designed for easy removal to visually check the electrolyte level in the battery and to add water as necessary.   They also allow for the insertion of a hydrometer to check the battery’s state of charge.  During regular maintenance that requires removing and reinstalling the vent caps, there is a possibility that the vent caps may not be properly reinstalled.  This could allow electrolyte to spill over onto the battery and cause corrosion on terminals and surrounding areas.

To improve on the standard battery vent cap, U.S. Battery SpeedCaps™ are designed with a cantilever-style closure that is attached to three or four battery cell caps. This design allows all the caps to be easily removed with a single twist. The design not only makes the removal of the battery caps easier, but it also ensures that they are properly seated when being replaced. The locking ramp on top self-adjusts to maintain compression between the sealing gasket and vent well surface for the life of the battery. SpeedCaps™ are designed to make your job of battery maintenance as hassle-free as possible while also maintaining a proper seal and gas venting during use.CAD drawing of U.S. Battery SpeedCaps

Proper venting is critical during charging when gas is being generated within the electrolyte and bubbles to the surface, helping to mix the electrolyte. To prevent electrolyte from escaping past the vent caps, U.S. Battery SpeedCaps™ feature 0.750-inch diameter porous discs that assure proper venting while maintaining flame retardance to prevent gas ignition inside the battery. They also have four separate vent holes that decrease backpressure and prevent internal pressure buildup.

Since vent caps are removed and replaced frequently during regular battery maintenance, U.S. Battery SpeedCaps™ are designed with a larger diameter flange. The enlarged flange ensures even pressure on the surface of the sealing gasket while maintaining a tight fit between the barrel and cylinder to eliminate side-to-side movement and the chance for misalignment of the gasket onto the sealing surface.

To prevent spilling of the electrolyte during vehicle movement in golf carts, aerial platform lifts, RVs, boats, etc., the SpeedCap™ design also features a double-sided internal baffle with multi-directional channels and a sloped center hole return drain, all designed to route battery electrolyte back into the cell.

With all these safeguards in place, U.S. Battery SpeedCaps™ are an example of one of the many details the company adds to its products to ensure they provide optimum performance and cycle life compared to other deep-cycle batteries on the market.

RV Batteries, Getting The Most Power Storage

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Most RVs have an electrical system that simply plugs into a power source. When you’re at a more primitive site that has no power or water, your RV’s deep-cycle batteries had better be in top shape to power everything from your fridge, lights, stove and more. Many RV owners don’t always think about their batteries until they stop working, so it’s always important to make sure you have enough energy storage to power all your RV’s accessories. 

The way to ensure your RV has plenty of standby power is to ensure the batteries have enough capacity to handle the power load of all of your RV’s accessories. First, It’s important to know that RVs require a deep-cycle battery for this purpose. These batteries provide longer lasting power compared to regular car starter batteries that are designed to provide maximum power for short periods (to start the engine). Each deep-cycle battery is rated in amp-hours (AH), a measurement of the battery’s capacity. Most are indicated in the amount of current in amps that the battery can provide for 20-hours. 

For example, a deep-cycle battery with a 100 AH rating can deliver 5 amps for 20 hours, or 20 amps for 5 hours, before being discharged. Discharging deep-cycle batteries more than 50-percent will dramatically shorten their life. This is one reason why many experienced RV owners use batteries with the most AH rating they can get. When comparing batteries, make sure you compare them by the same 20-hour standard.

RV owners also switch to using multiple batteries to provide extra capacity. In many instances, this is done by using two smaller 12-volt deep-cycle batteries wired in parallel that will increase the AH capacity rating and leave the voltage at 12-volts. If you really want to dramatically increase your power storage, you can also switch to using two 6-volt batteries that need to be wired in series to produce 12-volts. This can more than double your AH capacity if you have the battery storage space to do so. 

Keeping your batteries from being discharged below 50-percent is key to making them last longer, as can checking the water levels in the batteries. In some RVs, it’s difficult to access the batteries for monthly maintenance so some RV owners also install a single-point watering system that makes it easy to add water to each battery from one access point. 

For more information on selecting the right RV batteries and maintenance tips on making them last longer, visit www.usbattery.com.