Gel vs AGM: Not Quite the Battle of the Ages, But Nice to Know
AGM (absorbed glass mat) is a special design glass mat designed to wick the battery electrolyte between the battery plates. AGM batteries contain only enough liquid to keep the mat wet with the electrolyte and if the battery is broken no free liquid is available to leak out.
Gel Cell batteries contain a silica type gel that the battery electrolyte is suspended in, this thick paste like material allows electrons to flow between plates but will not leak from the battery if the case is broken.
More often than not AGM Batteries are mistakenly identified as Gel Cell Batteries. Both batteries have similar traits; such as being non spillable, deep cycle, may be mounted in any position, low self discharge, safe for use in limited ventilation areas, and may be transported via Air or Ground safely without special handling.
AGM Batteries outsell Gel Cell by at least a 100 to 1. AGM is preferred when a high burst of amps may be required. In most cases recharge can be accomplished by using a good quality standard battery charger or engine alternator. The life expectancy; measured as cycle life or years remains excellent in most AGM batteries if the batteries are not discharged more than 60% between recharge. There are some AGM batteries we sell that offer excellent 80%+ deep cycle abilities.
Gel Cell Batteries are typically a bit more costly and do not offer the same power capacity as do the same physical size AGM battery. The Gel Cell Battery excels in slow discharge rates and slightly higher ambient operating temperatures. One big issue with Gel Batteries that must be addressing is the GEL CHARGE PROFILE. Gel Cell Batteries must be recharged correctly or the battery will suffer premature failure. The battery charger being used to recharge the battery(s) must be designed or adjustable for Gel Cell Batteries. If you are using an alternator to recharge a true Gel Cell a special regulator must be installed.
If you are unsure which battery or charger is best for your application, please call or email our tech people for help making the correct selection
9 Responses, 4.0 Rating
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Sunil Bhatnagar
February 7, 2012 a 4:12 am -
Finally!! A no nonsense simple and unbiased explanation of the two different oft confused power sources.
Thank you.Nevadahalfrack
February 18, 2012 a 3:59 am -
Exactly what I was looking for! Thanks.
Ken
March 4, 2012 a 8:12 pm -
I am a long-term user of 12V batteries, having lived on a sailboat for almost 10 years. I concluded that gel cell btteries were the way to go for maximum life if discharged to the 50 % discharge point.
Now I am much older and in an electric wheelchair, a Pride Jazzy. I have used both AGM and gel cells in my wheelchair, finding gel cells marginally superior in longevity, if recharged at 50% or less discharge point, with three stage chargers.
1. Is there a difference between these two battery type in terms of longevity when properly maintained?
2. If not, which battery type/chemistry is better for long life?
John
John Hall
March 17, 2012 a 1:51 pm-
AGMs and Gels both have the potential for many years of life, equally, if maintained properly. What you are doing now is good practice. ONe primary difference between the two is this. If you deeply discharged the battery (below 50%), the AGM would be damaged more than the Gel. Both will have their lifespan negatively effected by the event, but the severeity of the effect will be less for the Gel.
James Ville
March 19, 2012 a 11:09 am
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Good read. My charger has 2 battery type selections. 1-AGM & WET 2- GEL. I didn‘t know mine was a AGM it ended up being charged as a GEL. Now charger just reads fault and battery is at 7.8 volts
Have I killed it?Dave
March 17, 2012 a 7:55 pm-
Charging an AGM with a Gel setting is not going to harm the battery. It‘s the other way around that is damaging. If the battery is reading 7.8 volts, that is very bad. Please to try recharge it correctly and promtply. Extreme discharge can lead to rapid formation of sulfation, which will shorten battery life. If the battery reads more then 6.5 volts, most automatic smart 12 volt chargers should be able to bring it back to charge. If the voltage does not reach 12 volts, there may be an short in a cell or two. If that‘s the case, the battery is useless.
James Ville
March 19, 2012 a 11:12 am
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Brilliant exchange – especially for a newbie. Many Thanks!
I have a Gel vs AGM dilemma. Just bought a sort of neglected EV – no gas engine in this baby.
The 6 battery bank is Gel but I have (at least)one bad battery. I realise I cannot replace the duff Gel battery with an AGM but AGM‘s are so much more available, etc.
My questions are: 1) If i have to replace the whole bank – I am thinking AGM – am I right? 2) Do most charging devices have that Wet or AGM/Gel switch on them?
Thanks Again….steveSteve
April 9, 2012 a 6:29 pm-
If you buy new batteries, AGM is a good option. Most chargers are pre-set for wet-cel and AGM charging voltages. If there is a Gel setting, there might be a switch. It‘s less common, but some chargers do have that option.
Tech
April 10, 2012 a 10:11 am
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The fact that Gel batteries are more superior to AGM is not promoted in right way as AGM has many far superior working qualities which Gel can not offer. AGM batteries are fast recharge batteries and are availble easily worldwide. Gel batteries have very small market share. Cost per cycle is approximately same when AGM is compared to Gel.