How to charge a gel battery

Features of gel type batteries

The gel battery is significantly different from its ancestors. Main features of such power supplies :

A battery with a gel filler does not require special care, since the gel does not leak out of it even when upside down, compared to other types of batteries.
Gel batteries will last significantly longer than acid-filled batteries. The creators of a battery with a gel filler call its maximum lifespan - 14 years.
The condition of gel batteries is determined by a list of factors: humidity, temperature, and the current used to charge them.
The gel battery is quite versatile: suitable for both home and industrial use.
Gel batteries have a low self-discharge current. For example, after a year of passive use, a fully charged battery loses only up to 20% of its charge.
An important feature of gel-type batteries is the fact that their shelf life without recharging is about 2 years.
The filler electrolyte has a constant density due to the gases formed.
Even after a long period of inactivity, the gel battery can continue to be used if its voltage is 9 volts or more.

What are gel batteries?

A gel battery is a conversion product of a classic battery. The liquid filler was replaced with a gel filler. The operating principle is no different from that of conventional lead-acid batteries.

There are 2 options for manufacturing such batteries:

GEL technology. In this case, a microporous separator filled with silica gel is used.
AGM technology. The body contains fiberglass impregnated with an acid composition. The same material serves as a separator.

Products produced using these technologies are used in automobile and shipbuilding. They power devices that require uninterrupted power supply. Batteries with a gel filler are rarely installed in cars.

However, they are in demand among owners of motorcycles and mopeds. The battery lasts at least 10 years. It works properly in any position. The tightness of the housing prevents leakage of electrolyte.

Advantages

The advantages of gel power sources include the following qualities:

High inrush current. The gel filler adheres tightly to the lead electrodes. This helps the user in winter.
Impossibility of leakage of acid composition. If the housing is slightly damaged, the electrolyte does not drain out.
Variety of installation options. The battery can be placed on a horizontal, inclined or vertical surface. This is due to the lack of liquid filler.
Safety. The battery does not emit toxic or explosive fumes.
Supplying current with stable strength and voltage. The parameters do not change even when the charge level drops to 30%.
Long service life. The battery can withstand up to 700 discharge and charge cycles. Some models do not lose capacity even after 1000 charges.
Insensitive to temperature changes. When heated or cooled, the gel-like electrolyte retains its properties.

Flaws

The negative qualities of GEL batteries include the following:

The need to comply with operating rules. This is the only way to extend battery life. The battery must be properly charged and prepared for storage.
The need to use automatic chargers that regulate voltage and current.
Increased cost compared to classic batteries.

Charging Features

It is natural that the operation of a gel-type battery differs from the use of other types of batteries. There is a specific device for charging batteries with gel filler, which is worth using. Despite their popularity and numerous advantages, gel batteries are not as common today as we would like. Not everyone knows the rules for charging such batteries, and it is difficult to find a center where such power sources are serviced. The golden rule for charging gel batteries is constant monitoring of the voltage, which should not exceed the set threshold. The maximum voltage level is indicated in the battery instructions.

When you apply a significant voltage to the battery while trying to charge it, the gel filler releases a large amount of gas. When used in the set mode, the battery produces virtually no gas. Therefore, adhering to the operating rules, the gel battery can be used indoors without harm to health. A gel battery can continue to function properly even if there is mechanical damage to it, which is due to the structure of the electrolyte. But, if you apply a voltage exceeding the permissible one to the battery, the filler will separate from the plates as a result of the gas acting on it. This will cause the battery current to decrease. Such a gel battery cannot be restored. It is worth noting that strong gas formation in the battery can lead to its explosion.

How to choose the right charger for a gel-type battery?

To choose the right charger for gel power supplies for a car or motorcycle, you need to focus on the main characteristics of such batteries.

First, the type of power source. Most chargers on the market are designed for use with car batteries that contain an acid filler. Such devices cannot be used to charge a gel battery. Secondly, it is permissible to vary the charging current. An important property that is not typical for all devices. For good battery operation, a charge is required, which is 10-15% of its capacity. A current of lesser value does not harm the battery, while a current that exceeds the permissible value shortens the life of the battery. Third, temperature compensation. During charging, the temperature of the device may increase by 10-12 degrees. Without control of this process, the battery is overcharged and its service life is reduced. Fourth, monitor the voltage level during charging. The gel battery is correctly charged only at a clearly defined voltage level. Typically for such power supplies it is 14.2 Volts, and for AGM this figure is 14.7 Volts. For a specific battery, these values can be found in its instructions. Fifthly, the possibility of carrying out the charging process in several stages:

The charging process occurs under the influence of constant current and increasing voltage;
Charging occurs under the influence of decreasing current and constant voltage;
The battery charge is maintained by low voltage and low current.

Sixth, operating temperature variation. Many chargers operate in the temperature range of 5-40 degrees. Seventh, the fan speed, which can be set. This feature reduces the operating noise of the device.

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How to properly charge a gel battery

Gel batteries appeared on the market even later than their older acid brothers. The main component of gel batteries is found in scooters, motorcycles and ATVs. And they are additionally used in uninterruptible computer equipment, gas boilers, and in pairs with a solar battery. The main feature is that the inside of them is not watery acid, but a gel, which allows them to be used even “upside down”.

Among the advantages of gel batteries it is worth highlighting:

the highest current output, even at the lowest charge, about 20% - 30% of the nominal.
up to 1000 recharge cycles.
low self-discharge current (already 20% throughout the year)
the ability to store completely discharged even at sub-zero temperatures.

Disadvantages:

much higher price
comparable to acid batteries with similar parameters.
. Doesn't like overcharging.

Do gel batteries charge?

This is a question that is immediately asked by car enthusiasts and motorcycle drivers.

Gel battery,

just like any battery, unlike batteries,

can and should be recharged periodically,

if the battery is not used for a long period of time. As we know for sure, it doesn’t matter which storage battery has self-discharge, i.e. It discharges itself over a certain period of time. Different batteries have different self-discharge percentages. The only thing is that you should use a special charger for gel batteries.

Is it possible to charge a gel battery with a charger?

As annoying as it may sound, gel batteries, unlike acid ones, are charged with a special charger with adjustable charging current.

What current to charge a gel battery

There are no significant differences in current here. Charge 10% of the battery capacity. A 50-amp battery should be charged with a current of 5 A. As noted above, for a gel battery, when charging, it is important not to use a voltage higher than the limit. You are 14.5 volts. It is worth seeing that introducing a voltage above 14.5 volts will lead to irreversible consequences and wear of the battery.

How long to charge a gel battery

It is better to charge a gel battery 1 - a couple of times throughout the year. The main thing is to complete the charging process. Disconnecting from charging earlier is fraught with loss of battery capacity, which will be problematic to return later. The entire spectrum is called the “Memory Effect”. If we are talking about time, then the capacity should be divided by the charge current. The purchased number will be the approximate number of hours for charging. Nettle gel battery for scooter, with a capacity of 7 Ah, and a charging current of 0.7 A, should be charged for 10 hours.

A special charger will automatically determine the charging time and signal the end of charging.

Charging and restoring a gel battery: how to do it correctly

It is worth taking a closer look at the process of charging and restoring a battery with a gel filler.

You need to remove the plate or hide the terminals on the power supply cover.
Remove the plugs from the water holes and pour distillate into them until they are full.
Stop for 3 hours and add water if it has settled during this time.
Connect the battery to the charger, taking into account the voltage and current indicators.
After completing the charging process, tighten the removed plugs on the battery and glue the plate.

Correctly charging a battery with a gel filler can only be done by observing the following rules:

The charging process is carried out at a low voltage level;
To charge a gel battery, you need to use a specialized charger;
It is not advisable to turn the battery over immediately after the charging process;
Inspect the battery periodically and fill it with clean water if necessary.

So, gel-type batteries are more practical to use, especially in cars and motorcycles, than acid batteries. The advantages of their operation compensate for the higher cost compared to traditional power supplies. When used correctly, gel batteries will last you a long time.

How to properly charge a gel battery

It is recommended to charge and maintain the gel battery, if possible, twice a year.

Many people wonder: is it possible to charge a gel battery? It’s not possible, but it’s necessary. It is recommended to charge and maintain the gel battery, if possible, twice a year. In this case, you must ensure that the battery is charged until it is fully charged, because Incomplete charging results in loss of battery capacity. To charge GEL batteries in a garage, you should choose chargers with constant voltage. The optimal device is one that charges the battery in two steps. It does not destroy the battery itself and charges it as quickly as possible. The first step is charging occurs at a constant current and increasing voltage. So until the voltage becomes equal to 13-14 V. The second step is to charge at a constant voltage until the full power is reached.

Basic principles of proper battery charging

Standard ytx4l bs battery, how to charge correctly? When restoring the power of gel batteries, the following rules must be observed:

The charge level should be checked at least once a month. This can be done using a multimeter. You need to activate the engine and connect the probes of the device to the battery terminals.
We must not forget about the maximum voltage limit. This indicator should not be higher than 14.5 V. During charging, the parameter changes. Exceeding boundaries leads to serious problems.
Do not open the casing after the filler has boiled. The battery will explode.

When fully charged, the voltage at the terminals should not exceed 14.5 V. Important! "Max initial current" on the battery is the max. charge current. If it is not specified, it is selected at about 10% of the capacity. For example, if the battery capacity is 50 ampere-hours, select a current of 5 Amperes.

How to choose a charger for a gel battery

Not every service station has specialists ready to take on the work of charging a gel battery. This is due to the fact that they do not always have the equipment necessary to carry out such work. The gel battery requires a special charger and the following criteria should be used to guide its selection:

First of all, it is better to ask the car store directly from the seller which of the presented charger models will cope with the task of charging a gel battery. The fact is that most of the “charges” are designed for ordinary liquid batteries, which have a different permissible voltage;
It is imperative to give preference to chargers that have the function of regulating the supplied current;
Another important point that you should pay attention to when choosing a charger is the presence of a temperature compensation function, which will prevent the possibility of overcharging the battery. As you know from a physics course, while charging a battery, it heats up significantly - by 10-15 degrees Celsius. Because of this, the supplied voltage is reduced. As a result, the battery may overcharge, reducing its service life;
It is better to choose a charger that is equipped with an adjustable fan. This is especially important if the gel battery is charged at home. The purpose of the fans is to keep the battery from overheating when charging. If charging occurs at home, it is better to give preference to models with air flow control.

Choosing the right charger is the most difficult part of charging a gel battery.

Please note: Chargers that are suitable for gel car batteries will definitely work for wet battery models.