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Wet
Cell (flooded),
Gel
Cell,
and
Absorbed
Glass
Mat (AGM)
are
various
versions
of the
lead
acid
battery.
The wet cell
comes in
2
styles;
serviceable,
and
maintenance
free.
Both are
filled
with
electrolyte
and I
prefer
one that
I can
add
water to
and
check
the
specific
gravity
of the
electrolyte
with a
hydrometer.
The Gel Cell
and the
AGM
batteries
are
specialty
batteries
that
typically
cost
twice as
much as
a
premium
wet
cell.
However
they
store
very
well and
do not
tend to
sulphate
or
degrade
as
easily
or as
easily
as wet
cell.
There is
little
chance
of a
hydrogen
gas
explosion
or
corrosion
when
using
these
batteries;
these
are the
safest
lead
acid
batteries
you can
use. Gel
Cell and
some AGM
batteries
may
require
a
special
charging
rate. I
personally
feel
that
careful
consideration
should
be given
to the
AGM
battery
technology
for
applications
such as
Marine,
RV,
Solar,
Audio,
Power
Sports
and
Stand-By
Power
just to
name a
few. If
you
don't
use or
operate
your
equipment
daily;
this can
lead
premature
battery
failure;
or
depend
on
top-notch
battery
performance
then
spend
the
extra
money.
Gel Cell
batteries
still
are
being
sold but
the AGM
batteries
are
replacing
them in
most
applications.
There is
a little
confusion
about
AGM
batteries
because
different
manufactures
call
them
different
names;
some of
the
popular
ones are
sealed
regulated
valve,
dry
cell,
non-spillable,
and
sealed
lead
acid
batteries.
In most
cases
AGM
batteries
will
give
greater
life
span and
greater
cycle
life
than a
wet cell
battery.
SPECIAL
NOTE
about
Gel
Batteries:
It is
very
common
for
individuals
to use
the term
GEL CELL
when
referring
to
sealed,
maintenance
free
batteries,
much
like one
would
use
Kleenex
when
referring
to
facial
tissue
or
"Xerox
machine"
when
referring
to a
copy
machine.
Be very
careful
when
specifying
a
battery
charger,
many
times we
are told
by
customer
they are
requiring
a
charger
for a
Gel Cell
battery
and in
fact the
battery
is not a
Gel
Cell.
AGM:
The
Absorbed
Glass
Matt
construction
allows
the
electrolyte
to be
suspended
in close
proximity
with the
plateÕs
active
material.
In
theory,
this
enhances
both the
discharge
and
recharge
efficiency.
Actually,
the AGM
batteries
are a
variant
of
Sealed VRLA
batteries.
Popular
usage
high
performance
engine
starting,
power
sports,
deep
cycle,
solar
and
storage
battery.
The AGM
batteries
we sell
are
typically
good
deep
cycle
batteries
and they
deliver
best
life
performance
if
recharged
before
the
battery
drops
below
the 50
percent
discharge
rate. If
these
AGM
batteries
are
discharged
to a
rate of
100
percent
the
cycle
life
will be
300 plus
cycles
and this
is true
of most
AGM
batteries
rated as
deep
cycle
batteries.
GEL:
The gel
cell is
similar
to the
AGM
style
because
the
electrolyte
is
suspended,
but
different
because
technically
the AGM
battery
is still
considered
to be a
wet
cell.
The
electrolyte
in a GEL
cell has
a silica
additive
that
causes
it to
set up
or
stiffen.
The
recharge
voltages
on this
type of
cell are
lower
than the
other
styles
of lead
acid
battery.
This is
probably
the most
sensitive
cell in
terms of
adverse
reactions
to
over-voltage
charging.
Gel
Batteries
are best
used in
VERY
DEEP
cycle
application
and may
last a
bit
longer
in hot
weather
applications.
If the
incorrect
battery
charger
is used
on a Gel
Cell
battery
poor
performance
and
premature
failure
is
certain.
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