Gel Battery question
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- curtiscapk
- Posts: 5401
- Joined: Mon Nov 10, 2008 8:31 am
- Location: OP KS\Hillsdale Lake
Gel Battery question
Okay guys and gals,
I brought both my batteries home in November to keep em charged.
One is 2 years old or less and I noticed the sides are kinda sucking in. Is this normal?
The other is less than a year and kinda looks the same but not as bad.
I brought both my batteries home in November to keep em charged.
One is 2 years old or less and I noticed the sides are kinda sucking in. Is this normal?
The other is less than a year and kinda looks the same but not as bad.
Craig and Paula
"THE FLOATER" rebuild Spring 2013
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15328
94 Party Barge 24' 115 merc
Turning Point hustler 14 x 13 prop
22mph gps 3 people
12 F150
Overland Park Ks
Hillsdale Lake, KS
"THE FLOATER" rebuild Spring 2013
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15328
94 Party Barge 24' 115 merc
Turning Point hustler 14 x 13 prop
22mph gps 3 people
12 F150
Overland Park Ks
Hillsdale Lake, KS
- curtiscapk
- Posts: 5401
- Joined: Mon Nov 10, 2008 8:31 am
- Location: OP KS\Hillsdale Lake
Re: Gel Battery question
come on guys nothin...?
Craig and Paula
"THE FLOATER" rebuild Spring 2013
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15328
94 Party Barge 24' 115 merc
Turning Point hustler 14 x 13 prop
22mph gps 3 people
12 F150
Overland Park Ks
Hillsdale Lake, KS
"THE FLOATER" rebuild Spring 2013
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15328
94 Party Barge 24' 115 merc
Turning Point hustler 14 x 13 prop
22mph gps 3 people
12 F150
Overland Park Ks
Hillsdale Lake, KS
Re: Gel Battery question
Well, it has been a few years since I looked at battery designs but I will throw my two cents into the ring. My guess is that the battery has been overcharged. All batteries will produce gas and loose electrolyte as part of normal charging. When properly charged and maintained these losses are minimal over the life of a battery. When a battery is improperly charged the electrolyte loss can be much higher. In a standard battery you can add distilled water to replace the electrolyte that has been lost.
A gel cell is a type of maintenance free battery and is sealed as part of the maintenance free design. The electrolyte is in a jelly as part of that design. It is designed to minimize gassing and electrolyte loss. There is a relief valve built into the case that will vent when the case pressure gets high enough. This is usually caused by overcharging or overheating. When the relief valve operates that gas/vapor is lost and cannot be replaced. The relief valve closes and when the battery cools the case goes on a vacuum. If this cycle of overcharging/overheating is repeated and the relief valve has a good seal this could result in a "sucked in" case.
Often a charger for gel cells is set to a slightly lower voltage to prevent overcharging and loss of electrolyte. Check your charger and see if it is recommended for gel cells. Also check with the battery manufacturer to see what they recommend.
Anyone else got any thoughts on this?
A gel cell is a type of maintenance free battery and is sealed as part of the maintenance free design. The electrolyte is in a jelly as part of that design. It is designed to minimize gassing and electrolyte loss. There is a relief valve built into the case that will vent when the case pressure gets high enough. This is usually caused by overcharging or overheating. When the relief valve operates that gas/vapor is lost and cannot be replaced. The relief valve closes and when the battery cools the case goes on a vacuum. If this cycle of overcharging/overheating is repeated and the relief valve has a good seal this could result in a "sucked in" case.
Often a charger for gel cells is set to a slightly lower voltage to prevent overcharging and loss of electrolyte. Check your charger and see if it is recommended for gel cells. Also check with the battery manufacturer to see what they recommend.
Anyone else got any thoughts on this?
2009 Tracker Fishing Barge 21 /NV logs/90 Merc 4 stroke
2007 GMC Sierra
Toledo Bend Reservoir Louisiana (mostly)
2007 GMC Sierra
Toledo Bend Reservoir Louisiana (mostly)
- curtiscapk
- Posts: 5401
- Joined: Mon Nov 10, 2008 8:31 am
- Location: OP KS\Hillsdale Lake
Re: Gel Battery question
Thanks Wed,
actually I looked on their website and found this.
Case Flexing - Sonnenschein Batteries.
This flexing of the casing walls generally indicates normal functioning of the battery.
It is the process of internal recombination of the hydrogen and oxygen back into water
which gives the very low gassing feature of the cells; This makes unnecessary, the
"topping up" with water which conventional batteries require.
The process is achieved by the use of a pressure valve in each cell which completely seals
against contamination of the cells by external air etc.
The valves act as safety devices against high internal pressure development but allow a
max. working pressure of approximately 0.1 bar to develop within the cells, as internal
gasses recombine.
This slight pressure can cause a slight bulging of the certain battery casing walls.
Conversely, during deep discharge or when the battery is not in use, slight self discharge
and chemical reaction inside the cells can result in a negative pressure - since the valves
will not allow pressure to equalise from outside. This often results in a normal "sucking in"
or contraction of the casing walls .
So it is normal.
actually I looked on their website and found this.
Case Flexing - Sonnenschein Batteries.
This flexing of the casing walls generally indicates normal functioning of the battery.
It is the process of internal recombination of the hydrogen and oxygen back into water
which gives the very low gassing feature of the cells; This makes unnecessary, the
"topping up" with water which conventional batteries require.
The process is achieved by the use of a pressure valve in each cell which completely seals
against contamination of the cells by external air etc.
The valves act as safety devices against high internal pressure development but allow a
max. working pressure of approximately 0.1 bar to develop within the cells, as internal
gasses recombine.
This slight pressure can cause a slight bulging of the certain battery casing walls.
Conversely, during deep discharge or when the battery is not in use, slight self discharge
and chemical reaction inside the cells can result in a negative pressure - since the valves
will not allow pressure to equalise from outside. This often results in a normal "sucking in"
or contraction of the casing walls .
So it is normal.
Craig and Paula
"THE FLOATER" rebuild Spring 2013
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15328
94 Party Barge 24' 115 merc
Turning Point hustler 14 x 13 prop
22mph gps 3 people
12 F150
Overland Park Ks
Hillsdale Lake, KS
"THE FLOATER" rebuild Spring 2013
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15328
94 Party Barge 24' 115 merc
Turning Point hustler 14 x 13 prop
22mph gps 3 people
12 F150
Overland Park Ks
Hillsdale Lake, KS
Re: Gel Battery question
Oh well, They said it so much better than I did.
Yes, it is normal but it represents loss of electrolyte and a shortened battery life compared to a properly maintained flooded cell battery. But, since most of us don't maintain batteries properly it is a moot point.
Happy tooning in the new year.
Yes, it is normal but it represents loss of electrolyte and a shortened battery life compared to a properly maintained flooded cell battery. But, since most of us don't maintain batteries properly it is a moot point.
Happy tooning in the new year.
2009 Tracker Fishing Barge 21 /NV logs/90 Merc 4 stroke
2007 GMC Sierra
Toledo Bend Reservoir Louisiana (mostly)
2007 GMC Sierra
Toledo Bend Reservoir Louisiana (mostly)
- Ghost Rider
- Posts: 186
- Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2009 10:51 am
Re: Gel Battery question
Do you guys use a Battery Tender over the winter. I use one for the Boat battery and one on my Harley. I would never go with out one again. I am no expert but I do know that keeping a full charge is important to the longevity of your battery.
Ghost Rider
1976 20 Foot Flote Bote
40 HP Mercury 4 Stroke
Home : Channahon Illinois
Boating on Cory Lake in MI
1976 20 Foot Flote Bote
40 HP Mercury 4 Stroke
Home : Channahon Illinois
Boating on Cory Lake in MI
- curtiscapk
- Posts: 5401
- Joined: Mon Nov 10, 2008 8:31 am
- Location: OP KS\Hillsdale Lake
Re: Gel Battery question
I had just a regular charger. Now I have one though.
Craig and Paula
"THE FLOATER" rebuild Spring 2013
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15328
94 Party Barge 24' 115 merc
Turning Point hustler 14 x 13 prop
22mph gps 3 people
12 F150
Overland Park Ks
Hillsdale Lake, KS
"THE FLOATER" rebuild Spring 2013
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15328
94 Party Barge 24' 115 merc
Turning Point hustler 14 x 13 prop
22mph gps 3 people
12 F150
Overland Park Ks
Hillsdale Lake, KS
Re: Gel Battery question
No, don't have one yet. Haven't had the boat very long and just got finished with new boat shed & have not got it outfitted yet. I will be getting a maintenance charger soon. I charged both batteries several weeks back and hope that will work until I can get back to charge them again in a few weeks.
2009 Tracker Fishing Barge 21 /NV logs/90 Merc 4 stroke
2007 GMC Sierra
Toledo Bend Reservoir Louisiana (mostly)
2007 GMC Sierra
Toledo Bend Reservoir Louisiana (mostly)
-
- Posts: 78
- Joined: Sun Mar 26, 2006 11:54 am
Re: Gel Battery question
I am not sure about gel cells, but dry cells need to be rapidly charged. Trickle charging will fry a dry cell.
- Ghost Rider
- Posts: 186
- Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2009 10:51 am
Re: Gel Battery question
What exactly is a dry cell, I know about Gell cell and the AGM wich is Glass Matt. But I am not Familar with dry cell technology. Does anyone have any info on this type of battery.
Ghost Rider
1976 20 Foot Flote Bote
40 HP Mercury 4 Stroke
Home : Channahon Illinois
Boating on Cory Lake in MI
1976 20 Foot Flote Bote
40 HP Mercury 4 Stroke
Home : Channahon Illinois
Boating on Cory Lake in MI
-
- Posts: 78
- Joined: Sun Mar 26, 2006 11:54 am