Re: US Batt 8V Vent Caps

[Brian <ws3f@norfolk-county.com>]

Mitch Oates wrote:
>    I discovered this audibly, some of the cells building up enough
pressure that it was forcing the gasses past the gasket on the cap, and
gave an audible woosh when the cap was loosened. Others gave indication of
this condition by an accumulation of acid around the cap gasket, the
pressure forcing any accumulated spray out onto the top of the battery. I'm
also fearful that some of the end cells built up enough pressure to force
acid past the seals around the terminals, as I've seen acid accumulating
around at least a couple of the terminals.
>     An easy fix would seem to be to drill a small vent hole in the side of
the cap, along the same line as those used on Trojans, or even to procure
some Trojan vent caps provided they fit.

The Douglas EV-137 6V batts in my truck also oozed massively.  Very messy
until Tony Ascrizzi showed how easy it is to pop the tops off of the generic
'Fill To Indicator' caps.  A screwdriver was used to deform the caps
slightly for pressure relief.  (Tony also recommended drilling holes.)  The
batts are now in the Leopard I bought from him and haven't dribbled a drop
in months!  (1300 miles in the first month.  48Volts works!)

-Brian
12,900+ EV miles since 5/97.  (See web page.)
http://www.norfolk-county.com/users/ws3f/ws3f.htm