Table of Contents
In our day-to-day lives, we use a variety of batteries for different purposes. One of the most common types of batteries we use daily is lead-acid batteries because they are used in cars. But do you know about gel batteries? In general, gel batteries are the same as lead-acid batteries, but these batteries are maintenance-free.
They are also known as valve-regulated batteries and feature a versatile design. They are robust and can be used in less ventilated areas. The main difference between regular lead-acid batteries and gel batteries is that gel acid batteries have fluid in the form of a gel. The advantage of these batteries is that the electrolyte doesn’t leak if the battery case gets damaged.
Access Now: Dead Simple Trick To Bring Any Battery Back To Life
How Do Gel Batteries Work?
As the name suggests, the electrolytes of gel batteries are like gel. These electrolytes are designed with silica fumes and sulphuric acid. This combination causes a chemical reaction and creates a gel-like substance. This is why these batteries are named gel batteries.
Gel batteries use one-way open valves to recombine the gases into the water. So, these batteries are maintenance-free and don’t need any monitoring. Moreover, you don’t need to check the battery level and refill it with distilled water. These batteries are versatile and produce virtually zero gases, so they can be installed inside your home as well.
What Are the Benefits of Gel Batteries?
Gel batteries have many benefits, so they are popularly used in different applications.
- They are maintenance-free and spill-proof.
- These batteries are very safe to use, and the cost of maintaining these batteries is low.
- They have rugged construction and are vibration-resistant, so they can be used in any place safely.
- These batteries don’t get corroded easily, so they can work with sensitive electronic equipment.
- Gel batteries are great for deep cycle applications, and their life ranges from 500 to 5000 ranges.
How To Restore Gel Batteries?
As discussed above, gel batteries don’t need distilled water and are usually sealed. So, you can’t access the cells to restore the battery. So, you can discharge a gel battery as much as you can and then recharge it slowly to restore it.
Step 1 – Discharge Your Battery
You will need to first discharge the battery in order to restore it. To do this, you can turn on the headlights and other electronic accessories in your car. When the battery is mostly discharged, you can turn off the lights and accessories. You don’t need to discharge the battery completely. When the lights turn dim, you can switch off the lights.
Step 2 – Connect the Battery Charger
Now, you can connect the battery with the charger. Connect the black cable of the charger to the negative terminal of the battery and the red cable of the charger to the positive cable of the battery.
After connecting the battery with the charger, you will need to check the charge settings and change the settings. The battery should be charged slowly, so set the charger accordingly.
Step 3 – Set the Charger in Right Settings
Some chargers usually come with some special settings for gel batteries. So, you can use that to charge the battery. Some chargers also come with a trickle charge option to charge a battery slowly. If this option is not there in your charger, then you need to set the voltage output 20% lower than the voltage output of the battery. If you are charging a 12-volt battery, then you can set the charger at 10 volts or less.
Step 4 – Turn on The Charger
After setting the voltage output of the charger, you will need to turn on the charger to charge the battery. After charging the battery for 6 hours, you need to touch the side of the battery to know if it is warm. If the battery is warm, then it is good. But if it is hot, then you have to turn off the charger and allow the battery to cool for 30 minutes.
After that, charge the battery again. During this process, keep checking the battery every six hours to know if it is hot. The battery will be fully charged after 24 hours of charging. After that, disconnect the charger and use the battery.
Gel Battery Frequently Asked Questions:
-
Do Gel Acid Batteries Have Some Disadvantages?
Yes, apart from the advantages we discussed above, they have some disadvantages as well. Usually, these batteries are costly and need special chargers and regulators. The battery acid can be affected by hot temperatures and become hot. However, one can overcome these issues by using the battery in the right way.
-
Do Gel Batteries Different from AGM Batteries?
Although these two types of batteries have some similarities, they have many differences as well. The electrolyte of gel batteries is in the form of gel, while the electrolyte of AGM batteries is absorbed in glass mat-like separators. Gel batteries usually drain faster at temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. But AGM batteries can work better at cold temperatures. AGM batteries are ideal for high current applications, while gel batteries are good for deep discharge applications.
-
How To Charge a Gel Battery?
In order to keep your gel battery in top condition, you should charge it regularly. You can use a solar panel or trickle charger for this purpose. These batteries prefer slow charging, so you need to change the charge setting to slow mode and then charge your battery. Some people also prefer multistage charging solutions to keep their gel batteries in good condition.
Conclusion
Gel batteries are maintenance-free batteries and have electrolytes in the form of a gel. These batteries are a better option than traditional lead-acid batteries. Since they don’t need distilled water regularly, you need to restore the battery by discharging and recharging it again.
If you want to know more about gel batteries and how to restore them, then you can join the EZ battery reconditioning program. This online program has step-by-step guides to maintain and restore different types of batteries.
