Gel Deep Cycle Battery – Introduction and State of Charge

Gel deep cycle batteries promise users incredible performance compared to lead acid batteries. They feature a lower internal resistance, can be charged much faster, and perform better under strenuous conditions.

As technological development takes the world by storm, battery technology and manufacturing are included. Today, consumers are looking for more and better ways of getting great performance in batteries. And that is why Gel batteries are becoming more and more popular.

Even though lead acid and flooded batteries are much cheaper, their maintenance cost and low performance make them less effective. Those who understand the impact of such limitations will be quick to invest in something more advanced.

Today, we will introduce specific aspects of gel deep cycle batteries, specifically charging, as compared to Li-ion batteries. Keep reading.

Gel Deep Cycle Charger

A battery is useless without a charger. It’s the chargers that give them the energy to be stored for future use. Hence, you need a good charger to keep the battery in operating condition.

One of the main questions we have come across is whether you can use just any charger gel deep batteries. You may already have a charger when buying the battery and think that perhaps you don’t need to invest in another.

However, gel batteries, like any other VRLA batteries, are designed differently from flooded batteries. That means their chargers could be slightly different in both appearance and operation.

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VRLA Batteries vs. Flooded Cells

Lead acid batteries come in two main categories, flooded and valve-regulated lead acid (VRLA) batteries. As the name suggests, flooded batteries feature a free-flowing liquid as an electrolyte. They are also called wet batteries. VRLA, on the other hand, comes with a stabilized electrolyte that could be suspended in a gel form to create gel batteries or absorbed in glass mat as in absorbed glass mat batteries. VRLA are also called sealed batteries.

Even though flooded batteries are still common today, they are being faced out slowly by sealed batteries. Also, gel batteries are more stable, with a much lower discharge rate compared to flooded ones.

Besides, gel batteries have very different needs. As such, they can only use specifically configured chargers.

Using a charger for flooded batteries on a gel deep cycle battery may cause them to burn and end their life sooner than expected. It’s always good to find specific chargers designed for such batteries and applications if you don’t want to spend extra on buying new batteries.

Why do you need a specific charger?

Gel deep cycle batteries are designed to absorb charge gradually and slowly, offering the same discharge rate. This is why you will find them rare in conditions requiring high-cranking amps, like in boats. They are more applicable in deep cycle users and where reliable power is needed.

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Some of the chargers designed for other batteries can lead to overcharging, which reduces the battery’s lifespan. It’s better to find and use a charger specifically designed for these batteries. The last thing you want is to have to spend more buying a new battery because you failed to take proper care of your batteries.

How to Choose the Best Charger for Gel Deep Cycle Batteries

Are you looking for the perfect charger for your new gel battery? Here are some of the factors you need to consider:

Total charge time: A battery’s total charge time depends on its size and charger rating. You can get this by dividing the amp rating by the amp hours and then adding 10% before rounding up.

Smart chargers. It’s crucial to monitor gel deep cycle batteries when charging them. That means keeping a close eye on them to avoid overcharging. Smart chargers take that pain away, allowing you to even charge overnight.

Several excellent gel battery chargers offer these features and more. These include CTEK MXS 5.0 charger and maintainer and Ampeak smart battery charger that promises the best performance.

Gel Deep Cycle Battery Vs. Lithium Ion

Lithium-ion batteries have become the most popular batteries in the world today. This is because they offer more battery energy, capacity, and performance. They are easily compared to deep-cycle batteries because they are both extremely durable.

Here are some of the differences between the two:

Cycle life. Lithium-ion batteries tend to last relatively longer than gel deep-cycle batteries. This is because deep discharging exerts more stress on the battery, affecting its lifespan, which is why gel batteries are generally lower in this.

Depth of discharge. Discharge depth is the overall capacity used before a battery is recharged. Gel batteries should run only for 50% depth of discharge. Anything beyond this risks a huge impact on the lifespan. Li-ion batteries can handle the discharge of at least 80%.

Efficiency. Lithium batteries are considered more efficient. Lead acid batteries can only deliver 80 to 85% efficiency, depending on the specific model and condition. They also charge faster.

Charge rate. Gel deep cycle batteries are designed to charge slower and discharge at the same rate. Therefore, these are much stronger and can last much longer. A faster charging rate in li-ion batteries also means they discharge faster, which is why they are not very efficient in situations where a reliable power supply is expected.

Overall, both gel deep cycle and lithium-ion batteries have specific application situations where they excel. You need to identify your specific needs and find a battery that meets them.

Gel Deep Cycle Battery State of Charge

The state of charge in gel deep cycle batteries varies depending on the brand and battery status. State of charge means the battery status when it’s fully charged. A gel battery voltage, when fully charged, will be slightly above 12.8 or 12.9V. If your battery gives you a reading of 10.5 or thereabout, it means a shorted cell.

Gel deep cycle batteries charge and discharge much slower than li-ion or wet batteries. One of their limitations is the risk of damage when overcharged. You should, therefore, always use the right charger. Luckily, there are many chargers out there already.