Especially if you are considering putting a deep cycle battery in your utility vehicle and are unsure whether you need to vent, this issue may have been on your mind for a long time.
The sort of deep-cycle battery you have will determine whether or not you need to vent it; not all batteries need to be vented. It is simple to accomplish if the label on yours instructs you to; all you need to do is choose an appropriate battery box and install a vent.
Do not be alarmed; this is the location! Let us examine the process for venting a deep cycle battery and whether it is essential. Move along!
What Is a Deep Cycle Battery?
The answer to this query is rather straightforward; one cycle is understood to represent the whole recharge & discharge of a certain battery. The amount of battery capacity drawn out and utilized to measure this alleged discharge. Simple, yes?
The solution to the first query we have here, “What is a deep cycle battery?” would appear to be self-explanatory, but what is that solution? The term “deep cycle battery” really refers to a battery that has been specially crafted to endure deeper discharges frequently.
So what distinguishes deep-cycle batteries from standard batteries? The deep cycle batteries, although somewhat less powerful, give a more constant and steady amount of power than your typical automotive battery, which produces several small bursts of energy. As a result, this power is more consistent and available for longer.
Do Deep Cycle Batteries Require Venting?
One more thing, however, before we get to the fun stuff: it is crucial to know whether or not your deep cycle battery has to be vented. Let us examine whether or not you need to vent your deep-cycle battery.
Although many deep-cycle batteries resemble standard automobile batteries, they are better at discharging their contents over extended periods. Let us look at the several deep-cycle battery kinds you might utilize for your RV.
Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) – Requires No Vent
One kind of lead acid battery is AGM. In particular, the absorbent glass employed in this battery is utilized to divide the positive and negative plates and store the battery acid. Consequently, you do not need to be concerned about leaks while installing it in your car.
The more current vehicle’s power requirements, including start-stop applications, will be supported by this battery.
Gel Cell – No Vent Needed
These batteries generate power for your car via chemical processes. This battery is a wonderful choice for your car since it can be fitted in any direction without leaking. Additionally, they need little to no upkeep, which is fantastic!
Compared to other batteries of its kind, the lifespan is also rather lengthy, and if you have solar panels on your RV, you can even use them to charge the battery. But you could require low voltages to charge the battery. Thus you might need to use a specialized charger as excessive voltages can cause the battery to fail.
As greater temperatures may cause the gel to solidify and detach off the plates, they can also be susceptible to more severe temperatures.
Flooded Lead Acid – Requires a Vent
The most popular deep-cycle battery is the flooded lead acid battery, the most popular design. Due to its widespread usage, it is one of the least expensive solutions for your RV.
You and your money will benefit if you are on the cheaper side! The more advanced technology allows for a more efficient production process for this battery.
However, since it generates hydrogen as a byproduct of the chemical processes that provide the energy needed to power your car, this battery requires high maintenance. As a result, you must vent your flooded lead acid battery to keep the amount of hydrogen it produces from the building at a dangerously high level.
Lithium-ion – Requires No Vent
Since these lithium-ion batteries have no liquid or lead, they are lightweight. Additionally, they are far more compact than batteries of a similar kind, requiring less space for installation. Lithium-ion batteries may be more costly compared to other batteries, but because they have more units and a longer lifespan, they are worth the extra cost.
You will notice your lithium-ion battery will also have many charge cycles. Additionally, you will need fewer batteries since they are smaller and take up less space.
How Can a Deep Cycle Battery Be Vented?
Let us go on to this article’s major concern. How is a deep-cycle battery vented? Let us look at it.
According to what we have discussed above, it should be clear that you will not need to vent your deep-cycle battery.
Venting is necessary and advised during installation if you have a lithium-ion battery. You can do these basic tasks independently without a mechanic’s assistance.
Finding a good battery box that will keep your battery segregated from the rest of your RV is the first thing you will need to accomplish. You will not need one if your RV already has little room for batteries! It is usually a good idea to keep your batteries apart from other RV components to avoid any potential damage or sparking to those components.
Let us get the battery box ready!
- First, you need to drill a hole at the highest position of your battery box. It should have a diameter of two inches, in our opinion.
- Then, you want to fill the flange using caulk—a product used to seal any joints or seams against leaks. It can be used for pretty much anything!
- After that, insert the flange into the hole you just made in the box’s interior by pushing it through from the inside.
- It will then be necessary to insert the exposed side of the flange into the vent hose’s end.
- After doing this, cover the connection with a hose clamp and tighten it. After completing the battery box’s preparation, it is time to install the vent.
- Before measuring the size of the hose to cut it, you need first arrange the battery box in the desired location.
- The vent’s location should be marked with a pen or similar object. Your vent must be at least six inches above the lid of your battery box.
- The wall of your RV will then have a hole bored in it so the vent can be installed. Then you should add extra caulk to the wall’s flange.
- You will next insert the flange into the hole you created from the outside. Following that, insert your flange into the hose and the hose clamp. After doing this, you should tighten your hose clamp before adding the flange cover.
Conclusion
So, to sum up. The kind of deep-cycle battery you choose will be the only factor in whether venting is necessary. For example, the procedure described above must be used to vent a flooded lead acid battery.
This procedure is essential if you need to vent a battery, but if it is unnecessary, there is no reason to invest in learning how to do it yourself. Fortunately, the procedure is not too difficult and pretty simple, especially for novices without prior mechanical knowledge. We hope that this information has assisted you in determining whether or not your RV’s deep cycle battery needs to be vented.
