Universal Power Group 12V


Universal Power Group 12V 100Ah Deep Cycle BatteryYou’re probably here if you’re looking for a deep cycle battery for your solar setup or maybe your RV. Well, you’ve come to the right place.

This battery is an amazing battery when it comes to deep cycling. In this article, we’ll look at all the pros and cons of this product in detail, discuss the applications and determine if this is the best battery for trolling motor or no.

So stay tuned, and find out if this is the battery you need.

First, let’s talk about some of the best features of this battery in detail.

Universal Battery UB121000 Features

Deep Cycle Capacity

So what does deep cycling even mean? Let’s consider two types of batteries you might use on a daily basis. One is your car battery that lets you fire up your engine in no time. The other kind might be the one you use with the inverter you use in your home to power electronics. 

Are the two batteries the same kind? Well, no. The former battery is meant to deliver high jolts of electricity rapidly that lets you fire up your engine. Once the engine is running, there is ideally no need for your car battery. This is an example of a cranking or starting battery.

The latter delivers a steady amount of current for a long amount of time, hence having a longer battery life after a single recharge. This is called a deep cycle battery.

A deep cycle battery is one that can get discharged to upto 80% in some cases and still function. Cranking batteries do not have that  ability.

The capacity of a deep cycle battery is rated in terms of Amp Hours. This battery is rated at 100 Amp hours which means it can provide a current of 5A for 20 hours straight, which is amazing.

AGM technology

AGM or Absorbent Glass Mat technology is the most popular technology these days in batteries. The batteries nullify the need for maintenance as they do not have any fluid inside. The batteries consist of lead plates surrounded by glass fibre mats consisting of the electrolyte,

AGM batteries are more durable and exhibit longer battery lives than regular traditional batteries.

Low Maintenance and Safety

Like all AGM batteries, this battery requires minimum maintenance as the battery is completely sealed. This battery can also be mounted in any position without losing any capacity at all. 

As there is no liquid inside, there is no fear of spillage or harm from acidic electrolytes. 

However, it is recommended to use the battery carefully as harming the casing can affect battery life.

Apart from these primary features, it is also a great thing that the battery is also very reasonably priced in comparison to its performance. But there are some disadvantages to this battery too.

Universal Battery UB121000 Drawbacks 

The battery, however very cheap, is also very bulky and thus unfit for a lot of cases. Moreover, you can’t use this battery for cranking as it has negligible cranking power. 

The battery life, which is roughly 3-5 years is pretty low in comparison to most of its competitors but for the price, it is acceptable. However, the battery comes with a 1-year warranty, so that’s reassuring.

Before moving on to the final judgment, let’s divide the features into pros and cons.

Pros

  • 100 Ah rating.
  • AGM technology.
  • Reasonably priced.
  • Extremely durable.
  • Spill-proof and maintenance-free

Cons

  • Negligible cranking power.
  • Lower battery life than competitors.

Universal Battery UB121000 FAQ

How long does it take to charge a 100Ah battery?

This mostly depends on the charger. Assuming the charger functions at a rating of two amps per hour, the entire battery will require almost 2 days for charging. 

How long will a deep cycle battery run a TV?

Assuming you have a 100Ah battery at 12V, let’s say your TV draws just 50W of power. In that case, you can run your TV for almost 20 hours and maybe a bit more using your battery.

It is calculated as

50 W/ 12 V = 4.166 A

Now, from a 100 Ah battery,

100Ah/ 4.166A = 24 hours.

Although the calculation says 24 hours, that is the ideal case. Considering a nice round figure of 20 hours is a safe bet.

Can you overcharge a battery with a solar panel?

Yes, that is possible. If you leave your battery connected to a panel for too long, it can overcharge and damage the battery if there are no safety electronics. It is recommended to be careful while using such devices.

Final Words

It can be concluded that this battery is an excellent choice for deep cycling needs. The best application would be anything from inverter batteries to RV, etc. If you are thinking of using this battery in an automobile, you should have a backup battery for cranking as it has very little cranking power which can be an issue.

The excellent price and warranty make it a good deal for most consumers, however, it has pretty low battery life, which could be acceptable for some users.