Many terms are tossed around when it comes to batteries, including sealed, flooded and valve regulated. Gel batteries are also a common term, which refers to the sulfuric acid and silica substances within the housing that create a stiff paste to conduct electricity. If you&#;ve been pricing gel batteries, you may wonder if you should make the leap with this technology. Discover why a gel battery is worth it in particular applications.
There are many pros and cons to gel batteries, but the leading reason why they&#;re superior to any other cell battery is the leak-free design. Unlike flooded batteries, gel designs don&#;t have liquid electrolytes. All of the acids are suspended in a solid matrix. The battery might be turned upside down or tipped over during use, and leakage doesn&#;t occur.
This simple fact reduces corrosion on the housing&#;s exterior and prolongs the battery&#;s life cycle. It&#;s safer to touch without gloves because any acids remain trapped within the housing at all times.
Heat tends to be the enemy of any deep cycle battery. If it heats up too much on a regular basis, the battery&#;s performance and lifespan suffers. The beauty of gel batteries is their heat-transfer abilities. The separator used in these designs is conductive, which allows heat to move out from the housing. Gel batteries simply run cooler than their relatives, such as AGM or absorbed glass mat models. These designs trap the heat, and lead to a shorter lifespan for the battery overall.
In recent years, VRLA or valve regulated lead acid batteries have become a staple as a high-quality cell battery, reports Science Direct. It comes with a valve made typically of EPDM rubber. This valve protects the battery from leaks that are common with flooded designs.
When you consider if gel batteries are worth the price, take a close look at this valve. As long as it&#;s made with quality materials, it provides stability and longevity to the battery. In fact, this design is quickly making its way into many industries, so choosing a valve regulated lead acid battery may be the norm in the future.
Golf carts, boats and RVs are all applications that demand a deep cycle battery. Power must flow at a constant rate with some harsh conditions thrown in. You need to be able to rely on the battery charging. Marine batteries work well as gel batteries, for example. Tight areas where unusual positions for the battery are common can employ the gel&#;s stable structure.
Hot conditions are commonplace for most gel-battery applications too. The life cycle of any battery can be quickly shortened if it&#;s not designed for particular temperatures. Gel batteries seem to thrive in high temperatures when they can give off a steady stream of power.
A gel battery is worth it because performance is optimized throughout its lifespan. According to Battery University, its internal design gives you a dome-shaped curve to its power output. You don&#;t have a dwindling voltage, which is common with other batteries. Your application benefits from many deep cycles that have enough power for every accessory.
These peak levels are achieved through advanced designs and unique structures of the gel substance. When your core concern is top-notch performance, no other battery can offer the same reliability.
Speak to the experts at Northeast Battery today. We can make sense of today&#;s power options and battery charging. Marine batteries, deep cycles and other subjects are ready to be broken down by our team. Get on board with gel batteries to see a difference in your powering options!
If you own a piece of equipment or system that requires long-term discharge and recharge cycles, gel batteries are most suitable for these. Most of these systems, like solar or an inverter, discharge at night while the battery charges during the day.
Because they are thixotropic, the gelled electrolytes have a consistency like petroleum jelly. As a result, gel batteries need little to no maintenance and can be used almost anywhere without fear of leakage.
Gel batteries are also resistant to drying out, making them ideal for small spaces and higher temperature situations.
Also, because the electrolyte absorbed by the gel layer has several components, gel batteries are highly resistant to vibrations.
Gel batteries are suitable for various equipment, including:
However, the same technology that makes gel batteries remarkable for cycle applications also makes them poor for everyday tasks like starting a car. The gel battery&#;s cranking performance is weak, and for it to be used to start a car, it will need a larger and more powerful battery than a flooded lead-acid battery.
Let's take a closer look at the pros and cons of gel batteries, one of the high-quality batteries we specialise in at HBPlus Battery Specialists.
A gel battery is wholly enclosed and doesn&#;t need repairs. It contains electrolytes in a liquid condensed with silicone filler to form a gel. The electrolyte density and voltage decrease because the charge comes from a charged source, similar to acid batteries.
Gel batteries also have a valve-regulated power source, are super strong, have a wide range of uses, generate negligible emissions, and may be used in areas with limited ventilation.
It is crucial to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of a gel battery before purchasing.
Pros of Gel Batteries
Gel Batteries Don&#;t Require Maintenance
The gel in the battery ensures that the battery can be used in any situation with no leaks and little to no maintenance. In addition, gel batteries resist sulfation, can last up to 20 years, as opposed to flooded batteries, which have a 5-year lifespan.
Unlike wet cell batteries, gel batteries are deep cycle batteries that don&#;t need regular watering. This allows the gel batteries to be recharged to a near-new state.
Because there is less need for air, the thixotropic gel electrolytes can be used in any location without fear of leakage.
Expert Tip: Gel batteries charge at lower voltages; hence, special care should be taken when selecting chargers.
Gel Batteries Don&#;t Leak
Sincgel batteries are sealed with a valve that reduces excess pressure, the removal of excess pressure ensures that the gel electrolytes are not prone to leakage.
Acid spills must be cleaned up when a regular lead-acid battery leaks, posing a significant and hazardous risk to anything the acid comes into contact with.
Gel batteries feature a silica-type gel in which the battery electrolyte is suspended, preventing the electrolyte from seeping out if the shell is shattered.
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Gel Batteries Are Vibration-Resistant
Gel batteries are ideal for high-performance vehicles like four-wheelers because of their ability to absorb shock and vibration. Unfortunately, vibration can harm wet cell batteries.
Gel batteries have a non-conductive plastic outer layer that is resistant to chemicals, heat, shock, vibration, and other environmental aggressors.
While the advantages of a gel battery are many, they also have significant shortcomings:
Gel Batteries Are Costly
For many people, the most important drawback of transitioning from wet cells to gel batteries is the high cost of the batteries. Gel batteries are currently more expensive than wet lead-acid batteries, despite requiring little or no maintenance.
Compared between the Fullriver 12V 100Ah deep cycle gel battery and the Drypower 12V 100Ah sealed lead-acid solar power battery in our collection, the gel battery costs 31% more.
Gel Batteries Charge Slowly
You must charge gel batteries more slowly than lead-acid batteries.
Remove gel batteries from the charger immediately after charging to avoid electrolyte voids, which can lead to irreversible damage to the batteries.
If you leave the gel battery to charge while you go about your business, overvoltage can cause the battery to fail and reduce its performance.
To charge a gel battery, use a constant voltage charger, not a taper charger. When the battery's voltage drops, tapering chargers gradually increase the charging current, which is hazardous to a gel battery.
Expert Tip: To get a more accurate reading, leave the gel battery alone for at least 24 hours after charging. If your gel battery's charge is between 14.0 and 14.4, it is fully charged.
So, Are GEL Batteries Worth It?
Yes, gel batteries are worth every cent.
Gel batteries are a popular choice for many applications because of their high energy density, low self-discharge rate, and resistance to overheating. If you're concerned about high temperatures in the location where the batteries will be used, you might want to stick with them.
When adequately charged, gel batteries have a four-times longer lifespan than lead-acid batteries.
As one client learned, the gel batteries are well worth it.
&#;Excellent battery for the price. Works great so far for basic electrical 12v needs and lasted about a week of use before discharging to about 70% of battery life..."
Edward Chong
Even though gel batteries are pricey, it's worth investing in one because:
It is safe to use Fusion Deep Cycle Gel Batteries, as they are resistant to extreme vibrations
With a gelled electrolyte that is more tolerant to drying out, the Power-Sonic Deep Cycle Gel range (DCG) is suited for tighter space constraints and higher temperature conditions
Related: Learn more about smart batteries.
It is easy to confuse gel-filled batteries with AGM batteries.
AGM batteries absorb all their acids using advanced lead-acid technology for excellent cycle stability. This prevents performance degradation, as the battery is repeatedly recharged and discharged.
It's no surprise that AGM and gel batteries have a lot in common. They both use valve-regulated lead-acid technology, are non-spillable, and have no maintenance requirements.
However, there are significant differences between AGM and gel batteries, as listed below.
Yes. Compared to traditional lead-acid batteries, gel batteries have a longer service life because of their minimal electrode wear.
We take great pride in the high quality of our products. If this weren't the case, we'd be out of a job. As a result, you can put your trust in batteries from HBPlus Battery Specialists.
Because gel batteries are sealed, there is no way to access the cells. Therefore, slow charging is the best way to resurrect a dead gel battery because it helps repair and restore it.
Gel batteries offer the ability to save energy for the benefit of future generations. As the supply of electricity decreases, batteries become more important to human life as the population grows.
We recommend using a gel battery because:
Now that we&#;ve reviewed all the benefits of gel batteries, take a look at the wide selection we offer in our online catalog.
For more information, please visit 200Ah Gel Battery.