Are gel batteries suitable?
Submitted by black gen on Mon, 2015-04-06 12:08
I'm in need of a couple new boat batteries.
my old ones are just general marine batteries
question is are gel batteries suitable for a boat? Is anyone using them in their boat and whats you're thoughts on them?
cheers
jess
Rob H
Posts: 5810
Date Joined: 18/01/12
I have one AGM in mine for
I have one AGM in mine for combined start/fridge etc.
Biggest advantages are that they generally can be discharged to about 30% without damage and can be charged much faster (about 1/3 of the AH rating)
Disadvantage is that they need a slightly higher charge voltage to fully charge (14.7 not 14.2VDC from memory) hence why smart chargers have different settings for gel/AGM
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
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tim-o
Posts: 4657
Date Joined: 24/05/11
Yep
Splash out on some AGMs. The ones in my tub are 8 years old and still come in with 900+ CCA when tested. Having lead acid batteries is like having a two stroke donk, can still do the job but with less performance, reliability and longevity
I am, as I've said, merely competent. But in an age of incompetence, that makes me extraordinary.
Vinesh87
Posts: 2751
Date Joined: 02/04/11
errr hes talking about
errr hes talking about Gel-Cells haha not AGMS. They are different.
For a start Gel-cells are considerably more expensive.
Most of the time they also need a special regulator
And do not have the capacity of AGM Batteries, most i have seen have not been for motor starting.
So to sum it up just get AGM Battery haha.
I swear by the Optima's. Still $320 a piece!