BASICS OF A BATTERY

All the Things You Probably Think You Already Know

- CHRIS HAMILTON

WE GET THE SAME QUESTIONS ALL THE TIME WHEN IT COMES TO BATTERY TECHNOLOGY AND BUYING CHOICES. “What’s a gel battery?” “How are they better than stock?” “Do I really need one?” A valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) battery is a type of lead-acid battery characterized by a limited amount of electrolyte absorbed in a plate separator or formed into a gel.

There are two primary types of VRLA batteries: absorbent glass mat (AGM) and gel cell. Gel cells add silica dust to the electrolyte, forming a thick putty-like gel. AGM batteries feature fiberglass mesh between the battery plates, which serves to contain the electrolyte and separate the plates. Both types of VRLA batteries offer advantages and disadvantages.

Due to its construction, the gel cell can be mounted in any orientation and does not require constant maintenance. The term “maintenance free” is a misnomer as VRLA batteries still require cleaning and regular functional testing. They are widely used in large portable electrical devices, off-grid power systems, and similar roles, where large amounts of storage are needed.