What is a Gel Battery
A GEL battery, or Gel cell battery, is a type of lead-acid battery that uses a gelled electrolyte to provide power. This electrolyte is created by mixing sulfuric acid with silica fume, which makes the resulting mixture thick and immobile. This design offers several advantages and makes GEL batteries suitable for various applications.
Why You Need to Use Gel Batteries?
You Need To use GEl Batteries because they are :
Maintenance-Free: GEL batteries are sealed and do not require water to be added, making them maintenance-free. This feature is particularly useful in remote or hard-to-access installations.
Leak-Proof and Spill-Proof: Because the electrolyte is in gel form, it does not spill or leak, even if the battery casing is damaged. This enhances safety and allows for flexible mounting positions.
Deep Discharge Protection: GEL batteries handle deep discharges better than traditional flooded lead-acid batteries. They can be discharged to a higher degree without suffering damage, making them ideal for applications where deep cycling is common.
Longevity: They generally have a longer lifespan than other types of lead-acid batteries, especially in cyclic applications (where the battery is regularly charged and discharged).
Vibration Resistance: The gelled electrolyte and robust construction offer good resistance to vibrations and shocks, making them suitable for use in mobile and rough terrain applications.
Low Self-Discharge: GEL batteries have a low self-discharge rate, meaning they retain their charge for longer periods when not in use, which is beneficial for standby and emergency power applications.
Applications of GEL Battery:
Renewable Energy Systems: Used in solar and wind power systems for energy storage.
Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS): Provide backup power during outages.
Telecommunications: Backup power for telecom infrastructure.
Electric Vehicles: Used in golf carts, wheelchairs, and scooters.
Marine Applications: Powering boats and marine equipment due to their resistance to shocks and vibrations.
Recreational Vehicles (RVs): Provide power for various onboard electrical systems.
Advantages of Gel batteries
Gel Batteries are becoming increasingly popular for solar systems due to the following reasons:
- Best suited for Deep cycle applications and their life is generally in the 500 to 5000 cycles range
- Maintenance free
- Spill-proof
- Minimal corrosion therefore compatible with sensitive electronic equipment
- Rugged and vibration-resistant
- Very safe as less risk of sulphuric acid burns
- Lowest cost-per-month (cost/months of life)
- Lowest cost-per-cycle (cost/life cycles)
Disadvantages Gel batteries
- High initial cost
- In case of overcharging water cannot be refilled
- Special chargers and regulators are required
- Hot temperatures can affect adversely acid can turn the gel hard and may shrink away from plates
Comparisons with Other Batteries:
AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) Batteries: Like GEL batteries, AGM batteries are also sealed and maintenance-free. However, AGM batteries use a fiberglass mat to contain the electrolyte. GEL batteries tend to perform better in deep discharge scenarios, while AGM batteries generally offer better performance in high-current applications.
Flooded Lead-Acid Batteries: Traditional flooded batteries require regular maintenance and are prone to leaking. They are usually less expensive than GEL batteries but have shorter lifespans and are less safe and convenient.
Conclusion:
In Conclusion, GEL batteries are a versatile and reliable power source, particularly valued for their maintenance-free nature, safety, and deep discharge capabilities. They are widely used in various industries and applications where reliability and longevity are crucial.
FAQ's:
When using a wet cell battery it’s important that you don’t allow the battery to discharge too much. Otherwise, it will never recharge. Gel cell batteries aren’t that way. They are deep cycle batteries which means that they can discharge more and still be recharged like new.
If kept in a charged state when unused, the common lifespan of a 12-volt Gel or AGM battery is up to six years. After five or six years of float voltage at an average ambient temperature of 25 ºC, the battery still retains 80 % of its original capacity.
Both AGM and GEL batteries are tolerant of low temperatures. To ensure maximum life, it is important to fully recharge after each discharge.
