Gel Cell Battery Charger- Meaning, Usage And Voltage

It is right to say that over the past few decades, battery technology has advanced drastically. The days of wooden enclosures and glass cells are long gone, and batteries are now more efficient, powerful, lightweight, and more environmentally friendly than ever, thanks to new developments and specialized technology.

Two technologies- lead-acid batteries -gel and Absorbent Glass Matt (AGM) are more commonly mistaken with each other than any other when it comes to lead-acid batteries.  However, with various uses, they have distinctly different construction designs.

We'll provide a comprehensive guide to gel batteries and gel cell battery charger. If you own a gel battery, then you should know about a gel cell battery charger. So, let’s begin.

What does gel mean on a battery charger?

Usually, a gel battery design is a modification of the normal lead-acid automotive or marine battery. In order to minimize movement within the battery pack, a gelling agent is applied to the electrolyte. It is a lead-acid, maintenance-free battery that is valve-regulated. Gel batteries are highly durable and lightweight. These kinds of batteries emit little gases and can be used without any ventilation in areas. The gel on a battery charger demonstrates that the charger is exclusively designed for gel batteries.

Let’s find out first are gel batteries worth it before you learn more about gel cell battery chargers.

Many terms, including sealed, flooded, and valve control, are used for batteries. Gel batteries are generally referred to as sulfuric acid and silica in the housing that produces a solid electricity paste. If you have priced gel batteries, then you might be wondering if this technology should leap. Let's find out why a gel battery applies in particular.

?Leakproof: In comparison to flooded batteries, gel designs have no fluid electrolytes. Both acids in a solid matrix are suspended. During use, the battery can be reversed or tipped over, and there is no leakage. This basic fact eliminates corrosion on the outside of the housing and increases the battery's life cycle.

?Venting Heat Away: Heat is typically the enemy of any battery of a deep cycle. The battery's efficiency and longevity suffer when it is overheated on an average level. Gel batteries are worth it because of their heat transfer capability. This is a lead-conductive separator that allows Heat to be removed from the housing.

Can you use a regular battery charger on a gel battery?

For gel batteries, you can use your regular battery charger. Utilize a charger to ensure that the battery is fully recharged when a battery is unloaded to the degree that it does not start the engine. It is possible to test gel cells in the same way as traditional batteries.

Charging a gel battery with a lead-acid charger is dangerous as gel batteries need consistent charging of the voltage versus tapering with a lead-acid charger. You can do this by closely observing the charging process. If a gel battery is tried with a lead-acid charger, you have to ensure that the overall charge voltage does not exceed 14,7 volts, resulting in a dried gel that is non-driven.

Let's deep dive into the steps to charge a gel battery with a regular charger along with a gel battery charger:

1. Charging with Regular Charger

• Link your gel cell battery to your lead-acid charger, connecting the red cable to the positive end and the black cable to the negative end.

• Change the charger configuration to 2 Amp / 12 volt, also called the deep cycle. It is also critical that this is set to an in-depth process to imitate the charging properties of the deep- cycle gel battery (CVC) type of charger.
  

• Turn the charger to the manual, not automatically. If the charger is left in auto mode, the voltage can be tapered as the gel battery is fully charged. This does not imitate the CVC charge form required by gel batteries.
  

• Check the battery carefully in 7 to 12 hours of charge time to ensure the voltage output is never greater than 14,7 volts on the charger. Also, monitor the battery charge readings of the charger. Remove the charger once the charging percentage reached 95%.
  

2. Charging with Gel Battery Charger

A)Fast Charging (Cyclic Charging)

• Place the battery on the charger of the gel cell battery, following the manufacturer's insertion instructions.

• Switch on the charger and charge the battery to cross 2.40 to 2.45v on each cell (14.4 to 14.7 volts on 12V battery) at 58 Fahrenheit Battery Voltage (20 degrees Celsius).
  

• Keep battery voltage down to 0,01xC amps (C is amp hour rate of battery). Hold the battery back to this voltage. C.
  

• Stop charging the battery is fast charging or turn to float charge mode.
  

B)Float Charging (Standby Service)

• In the directions for the use of the manufacturer, but the battery on the battery charger.

• vAt a constant voltage of 2.25 to 2.3v per pitch (13.5 to 13.8 volts on a 58 Fahrenheit 12 volt battery), turn on the charger, and charge the battery (20 degrees Celsius). At this voltage, the battery can modify its current level.
  

• If fully charged, avoid charging the battery and remove it from the gel cell's battery charger.
  

What voltage should you charge a gel battery?

Gel batteries have a peak charging voltage of 14.1 or 14.4 volts, which is lower than a wet battery or an AGM type. If this voltage exceeds the gel battery, the electrolyte gel will cause bubbles and lead to permanent damage.

The Final Verdict

And here, all you have. Now you know everything about gel cell battery chargers.  Hopefully, you have got answers in this article that are heating up in your brain. So, Don't wait to run to your nearest shop to purchase these gel cell batteries right now.