Gel Battery Meaning – Introduction and Comparison

Batteries play a vital role in the world today. Because of them, we have portable smart gadgets, electric cars, and everything else that depends on green energy.

There are different types of batteries designed for specific applications. One of the main types is gel batteries, which are all under the valve-regulated category of lead-acid cells. They offer better performance both in power delivery and durability than wet batteries.

Gel Battery Del Definition

Gel batteries are a common source of power in applications like solar systems, marine trolling, electric vehicles, seaboats, UPS, emergency lighting, and many others. The market for these batteries has been growing rapidly over the past few years.

So, what is a gel battery? This is a valve-regulated lead acid battery that comes with zero maintenance needs. They are one of the most robust and versatile batteries used in applications that require a reliable power supply.

Gel batteries are made with flat or tubular positive plates. They can be easily recognized from how they are sealed and the electrolyte used.

These batteries feature a predetermined quantity of an electrolyte - a combination of sulfuric acid and silica. The chemical reaction creates an immobile mass-like substance, which is called gel.

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So, if you were wondering why they are called gel, you now have the answer. The batteries feature a solid-state electrolyte and are defined by their specific applications.

The working principle of gel batteries

You can understand a battery much better when you can relate its working principle. Luckily, all batteries work the same way, only because they feature different composition materials.

As stated above, gel batteries have a gel substance that allows them to utilize the electrolyte and the acid, just like traditional lead-acid batteries. Also, they use one-way open valves that allow an easy combination of gases and water. Hence, you don’t have to monitor the electrolyte level as in the case of flooded batteries.

One of the biggest advantages of gel batteries is that they can be used safely in place with minimal ventilation. They release a very small amount of gasses, making them safe even in residential spaces.

Gel Battery Meaning Vs. Lead Acid

Lead acid batteries are extremely common in the world today. But they come in several variations, each with specific uses and needs. The two main categories are flooded and sealed (valve-regulated lead acid (VRLA) or sealed lead acid (SLA).

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When you mention lead-acid batteries, most people will quickly think about flooded batteries because they have been common for many years. Generally, therefore, gel batteries are still lead-acid batteries, but many users think of lead as flooded batteries only.

The main difference is in the electrolyte. Flooded batteries are filled with a liquid electrolyte, which is why they are called flooded. You can easily identify them from the 12 caps on the top cover used when filling them.

Sealed batteries, on the other hand, come with a solid electrolyte. They are filled with a glass mat substance, mostly silica, making the electrolyte.

Among the main advantages of sealed batteries is that you never have to worry about spills or leakages. Hence, they can even be used in any position comfortably.

Flooded batteries are not sealed. This cause the electrolyte to spill easily. When used in cars, you may have seen how spillages cause corrosion to other parts of the engine compartment.

In terms of maintenance, sealed batteries are much better too. You need to check and refill the water level for conventional batteries regularly. There is no need for such in gel batteries, making them maintenance-free.

Disadvantages of Gel Batteries

We have seen just how good gel batteries are. But they are still flawed. Well, they generally offer better everything than flooded ones, but you should expect to meet some limitations.

The biggest disadvantage is the complex charging process. These batteries are designed for slow charging, which means it takes longer to get a full charge. If you are in a hurry, this could mean you will need to adjust yourself.

Also, the batteries are more prone to damage when overcharged. Since they have gel instead of solid, any overcharging causes voids with the electrolyte, causing serious damage. You should not be surprised if a battery you just bought dies unexpectedly, forcing you to buy a new one.

Nevertheless, a gel battery is still much better than a flooded one, as we shall see below. They may be relatively more expensive, but the long-term benefits offer a great consolation.

Flooded batteries are generally much cheaper at the initial cost. But if you consider the maintenance costs and that they don’t last very long, you will find gel batteries the best solution for your needs.

Why is Gel Battery Better?

The global gel battery market has been expanding quite rapidly. It’s expected to grow with a CAGR of 4.0, generating a revenue of close to $3000 by 2030. However, its growth is limited sensitivity to overcharging, the requirement of specific chargers, and the surging alternatives.

However, these batteries still present some of the most significant advantages in the battery market. They are generally much more suited for extreme situations than flooded cells.

Here are some of the advantages to expect:

Best for deep cycle applications. When properly maintained, these batteries offer 500 to 5000 cycles, better than any flooded battery in a deep cycle application,

Spill and maintenance-free. Since they are sealed, there is no worry about liquid spillage or refilling of the electrolyte water.

More vibration resistance. Gel batteries are used in situations with too many vibrations because they can handle them much better.

Safer. Less risk of sulfuric acid spillage means safer. Even children can handle them without worrying they could be burned. Also, the batteries release a lower amount of gasses, making them safe for use even in residential places.

Lowest cost per cycle. Gel batteries charge slowly and discharge even slower. This reduces the general cost-per-cycle as you won’t be charging them too much.

Gel batteries are often mistaken for AGM batteries. Even though both are recombinant, they have different materials in the electrolyte. The AGM batteries use an absorbed glass mat, while gel batteries have a jelly-like appearance. You should make better purchasing and use decisions now that you know about gel batteries.