Gel Batteries vs. Wet Lead Acid Batteries

 

Gel Batteries

Advantages:

  • Sealed
  • Spill-proof
  • Maintenance free
  • Classified as non-hazardous goods for air, rail & road transportation
  • Very resistant to over-discharging
  • Extremely low self discharge rate
  • Virtually no gassing
  • Withstand a wide range of temperatures
  • Withstand shock & vibration better than any other battery Virtually no terminal corrosion
  • MSDS sheets not required
  • Can be installed near sensitive electronic equipment
  • Excellent deep cycle performance

Disadvantages:

  • More expensive
  • Lower size to capacity ratio
  • Sensitive to overcharging
 Flooded Lead Acid

Advantages:
  • Relatively inexpensive
  • Widely available
  • Good size to capacity ratio
  • Good deep cycle performance

Disadvantages:

  • Require maintenance
  • Require ventilated rooms for recharging
  • Suffer from terminal corrosion
  • Can leak if casing is cracked causing hazardous spill
  • Require rubber gloves & goggles when maintaining
  • Vent substantial quantities of hydrogen & oxygen gasses as well as other toxins
  • Will quickly sulfate if left discharged for any period of time
  • Are easily damaged if over-discharged
  • Have high self-discharge rate
  • Are classified as hazardous goods for transportation