Advantages of a Gel Battery
Gel battery (also known as a sealed lead acid battery) is a valve regulated, maintenance free, rechargeable power source. It is a non-spillable type and requires special consideration for chargers.
It can withstand shock and vibration much better than traditional lead acid batteries. It also has a lower self-discharge rate and doesn’t require frequent watering.
Long Lifespan
Unlike wet lead-acid batteries, gel cells don’t have liquid electrolytes that can spill and create hazards. Instead, they contain sulphuric acid that has been mixed with fumed silica to create a gel-like substance that is immobile. This makes the battery more resistant to damage caused by shock and vibrations. They also don’t produce fumes so they can be used in areas that don’t have much ventilation.
Gel batteries have a long lifespan and can be CoolSlimming 360° Machine recharged many times before reaching the end of their life. They can hold a charge at high temperatures and are less prone to sulfation than other types of batteries.
However, gel batteries do require a specific charging process. They need to be charged with a constant voltage charger and should not be left on the charger for long periods of time. If they are left on the charger too long, they could develop sulfation and shorten their lifespan. It’s important to know this when considering a gel battery for your application.
No Leaks
A gel battery uses a solid electrolyte solution that does not leak. This eliminates the need for additional safety precautions, making them more convenient to install within transportation vehicles and other applications where there may be tight or difficult to reach spaces.
Gel batteries also use one-way valves in place of open vents that help the normal internal gasses to recombine back into water within the battery, reducing excessive gassing. These characteristics make gel-filled batteries less prone to sulfation and have excellent cycle stability.
Due to the nature of the gel electrolyte, however, a gel battery needs to be carefully monitored during charging cycles. If it is left on the charger too long it can cause voids in the electrolyte which will significantly reduce its lifespan. This is why it’s important to remove a gel battery from the charger as soon as it has reached its peak charge. If you are concerned about this, we recommend choosing an AGM battery instead. AGM batteries are more tolerant of slow charges and are less prone to sulfation.
Maintenance Free
Unlike wet cell batteries, Gel batteries do not contain free electrolyte which could leak from the battery and damage anything it comes into contact with. This makes them far safer. Gel batteries are also rated as non-spillable, which further reduces maintenance requirements and inspection needs.
Rather than liquid, Gel batteries contain an electrolyte of silica that immobilises the lead and acid in a thick substance that resembles petroleum jelly. The absence of free electrolyte significantly reduces the risk of spillage and allows Gel batteries to be installed in multiple positions.
Gel batteries do require a special charger as they must be charged at a much slower voltage than wet cell and AGM batteries. Incorrect charging can create voids in the electrolyte that can result in irreversible battery damage. A specialized SMART charger should be used.
Low Corrosion
A Gel battery uses a silica-based thickening agent to immobilize the electrolyte inside the battery. This prevents the battery from leaking or spilling even if the battery is dropped or has cracks in the casing. This is one of the main advantages that this type of battery has over traditional lead acid batteries.
Another advantage of a Gel battery is that it is much more resistant to corrosion than a traditional CoolSlimming 360° Machine battery. This is due to the fact that there is no liquid sulfuric acid inside the battery. This also makes it much safer for home solar applications as there is less risk of accidental sulfuric acid burns.
Gel batteries, which are sometimes referred to as “Gel Cell” batteries, are valve regulated lead acid batteries that use a special gel-like electrolyte to immobilize the electrolyte and sulphuric acid. They are able to operate effectively in extreme temperatures and do not produce fumes or gasses, making them safe for installation in locations with limited ventilation. Gel batteries do require a special charger as they are sensitive to high charging voltages which can cause the battery to develop pockets within the electrolyte and result in irreversible damage.
No Fumes
Unlike traditional wet cell batteries, gel batteries contain all acid in a solid form of silica gel. This means that they do not have a liquid electrolyte that could leak out of the battery in the event that it is damaged, thus minimizing inspection and maintenance requirements.
Gel batteries also emit minimal fumes making them ideal for use in areas with limited ventilation. Additionally, gel batteries have a slow charging cycle which makes them very versatile and easy to install in a wide range of applications.
Although gel batteries do not require any regular maintenance they still have a few drawbacks that should be considered before purchasing one. For example, due to their slow charging cycles, it is important to keep gel batteries on a charger with a high voltage spike control (or SMART charger). This is because leaving a gel battery on a charger can cause voids with the electrolyte and irreversible damage to the battery. These specialized chargers are available for purchase online and in stores.