Leisure Batteries - GEL

What is a GEL Battery? 

A deep cycling gel battery, also known as a gel cell battery or valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) battery, is a type of lead-acid battery designed for deep discharge and repeated cycling applications. Here are some key features and characteristics of deep cycling gel batteries:  

• Electrolyte: Instead of a liquid electrolyte, these batteries use a gel-like electrolyte that is immobilized within an absorbent glass mat separator. This eliminates the risk of acid spills and makes them spill-proof and leak-proof. 
• Valve-regulated design: These batteries are sealed and have a valve-regulated design that allows gases to escape during charging, but prevents air from entering the battery. This makes them maintenance-free and eliminates the need for regular water top-ups. 
• Deep discharge capability: Deep cycling gel batteries are designed to be deeply discharged (up to 80% of their capacity) and recharged repeatedly without significant degradation in performance or lifespan. 
• Cycling life: Gel batteries have a longer cycling life compared to traditional flooded lead-acid batteries, typically ranging from 300 to 1,000 cycles or more, depending on the depth of discharge. 
• Applications: Deep cycling gel batteries are commonly used in applications that require frequent deep discharging and recharging, such as recreational vehicles (RVs), marine applications, off-grid solar systems, emergency backup systems, and some mobility applications (e.g., golf carts, wheelchairs). 
• Low self-discharge: Gel batteries have a relatively low self-discharge rate, allowing them to maintain their charge for longer periods when not in use. 
• Maintenance-free: Due to their sealed, valve-regulated design and immobilized electrolyte, gel batteries are considered maintenance-free and do not require regular water top-ups or electrolyte replenishment. 

 While gel batteries offer advantages in deep cycling and maintenance-free operation, they generally have a higher initial cost compared to flooded lead-acid batteries and may have a shorter overall lifespan in certain applications.