What do you guys think about gel cell batteries?

[sutor623]

Saw one at batteries plus. 31 Amp hours, can FULLY discharge to 0 and will recharge just fine. $108 A 31 Amp deep cycle is just a smidge less, weighs twice the weight, and only has half the discharge capacity (because you can only take the charge down 50%) That being said, the concept sounds great, but does anyone have any real life experience with these?

 

[dingbat]

Re: What do you guys think about gel cell batteries?

I'm not a fan. I'm on my second Optima AGM battery in 7 years.

The first one shorted internally and had to be replaced at 13 months. It was replaced under warrenty and the new one lasted another 6 years. I replaced it with the same battery and now this one is having problems holding a charge after 12 months of use.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: What do you guys think about gel cell batteries?

Don't you need a diff. type of charger for gel batteries?

 

[tazrig]

Re: What do you guys think about gel cell batteries?

Don't you need a diff. type of charger for gel batteries?

You do for AGM batteries:

http://www.odysseybattery.com/documents/US-ODY-ULT-009_0213.pdf

I'm not 100% sure on gel batteries but I believe so.

 

[tazrig]

Re: What do you guys think about gel cell batteries?

Saw one at batteries plus. 31 Amp hours, can FULLY discharge to 0 and will recharge just fine. $108 A 31 Amp deep cycle is just a smidge less, weighs twice the weight, and only has half the discharge capacity (because you can only take the charge down 50%) That being said, the concept sounds great, but does anyone have any real life experience with these?

You might want to look at AGM batteries instead of Gel. They can be discharged and recharged far more often. The main advantage of them other than that is that they give you the full power of a starting battery and the longevity of a deep cycle. In other words they give you 100% power right until the end of their charge. You can also leave them in your boat over the winter without worrying about them freezing or needing to be trickle charged every month or two. I know dingbat has had trouble with his but after a lot of research talking to Mercruiser engineers, mechanics and boat owners I found far less complaints with them and more recommendations for them than any other type of battery. I just bought 2 for my boat. Here is a link to Odyssey AGM batteries. They certainly aren't the cheapest but are widely held to be one of the best. Either way they have a bunch of literature explaining the differences between AGM, Starting, Deep Cycle, Gel Cel and others etc. on their site.

ODYSSEY Batteries - Literature

 

[sutor623]

Re: What do you guys think about gel cell batteries?

Thanks a bunch for the feedback guys. Taz, I will look into them. Do they use a standard battery charger? I am looking into an onboard three bank 5 amp system.

 

[cjjjdeck]

Re: What do you guys think about gel cell batteries?

I too wanted to check into alternate battery technologies from standard lead-acid because I wanted the best I could get with a boat (durability, dependability, longer life, longer trolling motor operation).

After I researched them a bunch, I decided to go with AGM technology. I converted to AGM 7+ years ago and haven't looked back. I'm an Odyssey fan as well and have three of them on my boat (one starting and two for the 24V troller). You do need to use a "smart" charger to get optimum charge and life out of these batteries. I have a three bank Dual Pro Professional Series on-board charger from Pro Charging Systems with 15 Amps per bank. I'm very happy with this unit and the company that makes them (this is the second boat that I've had Dual Pro on it). I liked that Pro Charging has a good relationship with Odyssey and they stay on top of each others technology. Minn Kota was my second choice and there are others you can consider like Pro Mariner, Guest, Charles, Xantrex etc. that others on the forum may be happy with as well.

The iboats store has a bunch of them (free shipping right now too!)

 

[Silvertip]

Re: What do you guys think about gel cell batteries?

I too wanted to check into alternate battery technologies from standard lead-acid because I wanted the best I could get with a boat (durability, dependability, longer life, longer trolling motor operation).

After I researched them a bunch, I decided to go with AGM technology. I converted to AGM 7+ years ago and haven't looked back. I'm an Odyssey fan as well and have three of them on my boat (one starting and two for the 24V troller). You do need to use a "smart" charger to get optimum charge and life out of these batteries. I have a three bank Dual Pro Professional Series on-board charger from Pro Charging Systems with 15 Amps per bank. I'm very happy with this unit and the company that makes them (this is the second boat that I've had Dual Pro on it). I liked that Pro Charging has a good relationship with Odyssey and they stay on top of each others technology. Minn Kota was my second choice and there are others you can consider like Pro Mariner, Guest, Charles, Xantrex etc. that others on the forum may be happy with as well.

The iboats store has a bunch of them (free shipping right now too!)

None of your expectations are "guaranteed" if you use a high tech battery. As for run time, that is solely dependent on the ratings on the battery. AH or RC (reserve capacity minutes) tell you all you need to know. A 30 AH battery will provide 30 amps for one hour before it can no longer do so. A $75 standard deep cycle from my local farm store will outperform that high tech battery and if taken care of and not abused, it will likely last as long as well. If it doesn't you can buy another and likely be money ahead. So lets have a look. A group size 27 deep cycle will have an RC rating of about 150 - 175 minutes depending on the battery. That time is based on a specification of either 23 or 25 amp load. So that battery would run a troller drawing 23 or 25 amps for rough;y 2.5 - 3 hours. Since you didn't indicate what the actual "time" is on the high-tech battery, we can't tell you exactly how long it would run. But the research I've done shows that most high tech batteries will actually have lower ratings than a standard deep cycle. They are close but generally not better. So the question then is, is the "supposed" longevity or durability really worth the premium price. In my view it is not. I buy new boats, fit them with batteries from my local farm store and never paid more than $75 for any of them. They go with the boat when sold 4 - 5 years later and have never had to replace one. With an on-board charger they are properly maintained. From a purely economic standpoint, high tech batteries are not worth the premium. If your budget allows or if you are a tournament fisherman, do what lights your fire.

 

[sutor623]

Re: What do you guys think about gel cell batteries?

Nice to hear from you silver.