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Another common battery sometimes called gel cell ( although it's not ) is
AGM batteries.
Where Gel batteries have a jello like substance added to the electrolyte
"juice" so they don't spill if tilted, AGM batteries have layers of fiberglass
mat next to the plates which absorb and hold the sulfuric acid "juice" so they
don't spill when tilted.
These batteries run about $240 each versus $90 for a regular deep
cell.
Reading through the various articles on the subject, I've noticed that some
batteries have much thicker lead plates in them, adding to their life span.
Purity of the lead used can also be a factor. I had a solar system at my remote
property and the 6 volt golf cart batteries lasted 13 years before they needed
replacement. Really got my money's worth out of them. In that system though,
they were never allowed to discharge past about 40%.
A neighbor had gel cells ( lots of $ ) on his system and replaced them
twice in the same time period.
As I said before, I'm going to go down to Kragen's and buy a dozen of the
marine batteries on sale at $60 each and run them till they die. This will get
me through the testing and learning phase.
Frank D. |