Gel battery (12 volts) for the car: specifications, prices, reviews

Modern science is constantly evolving, and the devices and mechanisms that are familiar to all are being replaced by more advanced systems. A vivid example of such upgrades is the automotive industry. Each node in the new car is significantly different from those machines that came off the conveyors still some 15-20 years ago. Then still no one could think that people will ride electric cars, and they can be charged from a household outlet. Now this does not at all seem fiction. Not so much an innovation is the gel battery of 12 volts for the car. This is a good alternative to traditional acid batteries. But did the scientists manage to cope with all the shortcomings of their predecessors? Let's figure it out.

Characteristic

In the Russian markets, a gel battery of 12 volts for the car began to appear.

In general, the principles of his work are the same as in acid-lead batteries. They differ only in that a new type of electrolyte is used in the gel novelty. Special substances and chemical elements are added to the battery, due to which the electrolytic liquid passes into the state of the gel. So, the liquid is like a jelly. Hence the characteristic name. Now two types of gel batteries are produced. They differ in the mode of production. This is AGM-battery and GEL.

AGM: technology features

These three letters can be deciphered as absorbing glass mats. In fact, this is the most common fiberglass that lies between the lead plates inside the battery. This fiberglass also contains an electrolyte.

He is in a bound state. It is the most common electrolyte based on acid, but it is located in a fiberglass separator, where it is reliably kept from spreading. Thanks to this feature, a 12 volt gel battery for the car can be operated on one of the sides or upside down. Such a battery is completely safe. The vapors that, one way or another, emanate from the battery case, are here held in the pores of the fiberglass during the passage of the reactions.

Characteristics of AGM batteries

Such AGM-batteries are considered the most budgetary solutions. The period of their operation under standard conditions is no more than 5 years. But I must say that this is only a passport resource. In fact, the battery does not lose performance for a long time. Some motorists have been using this battery for 10 years. Standard 12-volt batteries for cars with electrolyte in the form of a gel are able to withstand up to 200 charge / discharge cycles with a maximum discharge depth, 50 cycles at 50% and up to 800 at a discharge of up to 30%. Optimum temperatures are from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius. It should also be taken into account that gel batteries are slowly discharged when not connected to the consumer. Over the year, the bank loses only 20 percent of its capacity. If you maintain optimum temperature conditions for this type of batteries and do not store them for a long time completely discharged, then they can work much longer than the manufacturer gave them.

GEL: technological features

The gel battery of 12 volts for the car made on the basis of technological processes GEL, has the increased resource and can easily sustain 800 and more cycles of a charge / category without losses of operational characteristics. In these batteries, between the plates as a separator, manufacturers use silica gel. They fill all the free space inside. After the substance has completely solidified, it solidifies.

In addition, a multitude of pores appear in it, in which the gel-like electrolyte is firmly retained. Since the entire space between the plates is occupied by a silica gel separator, there is no shedding in the battery data. This has a good effect on the service life. The technology has made it possible to significantly improve the performance of gel batteries, which affects the number of charge / discharge cycles and the battery's resistance to hundred percent discharges.

Characteristics of GEL-batteries

Even if the passport life of this type of battery does not differ much from the life of AGM-batteries, but the number of charge / discharge cycles in this case is higher by 50 percent. Even standard models can withstand up to 350 cycles at maximum depth, up to 550 at a depth of 50%, up to 1200 at 30%. This is the most budgetary gel battery of 12 volts for the car. Its characteristics are quite good.

Also it is necessary to take into account the service life - up to 5-10 years. And if you buy more expensive models, you can seriously save on maintenance and battery recovery. The stability of these batteries to a deep discharge is much higher than that of acid-lead analogues. In addition, due to design features, gel batteries made using such technology are practically not susceptible to sulfation. This means that the battery can be left discharged to zero for several days.

Advantages and disadvantages

It does not matter which battery is installed in the car - lead or GEL. He, one way or another, has both strengths and weaknesses. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of a gel battery. So, the battery has high starting currents. Due to the jelly-like state of the electrolyte, it will not leak, even if there are damages on the body. These batteries do not need additional maintenance, and even the case is made in an unattended form. The operation of the battery will be stable regardless of how it is installed. The battery works well even on the side or upside down. If the car is functional electronics, the gel battery will last much longer than the acid-lead analog.

The disadvantages are the low resistance to recharge. When charging this battery, you need to monitor the indicator. Also a serious minus, which differ gel batteries 12 volts for the car - the price. The cost of these batteries is quite high. Budget models can be purchased for 3 030 rubles., More expensive models will cost 10 000 rubles. and higher. Also, the minuses include the need to have "smart" electronics in the car. But with a strong desire, you can use these batteries even with simple electronics - the main thing is that the vehicle's on-board network can support special charging modes. Naturally, if we take domestic cars, then this can be associated with certain problems (even if we take into account that the voltage regulator works correctly). And for new foreign cars the gel battery will fit perfectly. Now on sale there are not only car GEL batteries, but also gel batteries for scooters and motorcycles. They have a voltage of 6 V and produce a current of 8 A.

Features of operation

Another thing to remember is that the gel battery can be stored for a long time in a state of full discharge even in frost. But, if in the process of charging a high voltage is applied, then the electrolyte will emit large volumes of gas. He will not be adsorbed in the pores. If to compare, in the course of the normal operation of the battery, gases are almost not released, so the battery can safely be even in enclosed spaces.

Features of charging and memory

It is important to consider the type of battery. Since the gel batteries differ in their specificity and design, a special charger is necessary. The temperature compensation of the device must correspond to a specific battery. Also, the memory must provide the correct voltage levels. Gel cells are very afraid of overcharging. In the technical documentation, which is attached to these batteries, manufacturers note the values of the maximum permissible voltage - this is 14.3-14.5 V.

Do not once again neglect these figures, otherwise it will just be thrown away money. Inexpensive chargers, which can be purchased at every step, often produce incorrect voltages if they work in buffer modes. A suitable voltage for gel batteries - 14.2 V, for AGM - 14.7 V. Still need to consider that the process takes place in several stages. There are three. On the first one, the DC current is charged with increasing voltage, the second one - the voltage is constant, and the current strength is reduced. In the third stage, a charged battery will be supported by a reduced current and voltage.

So, it's worthwhile to think carefully before buying 12 volt gel batteries for a car. The price for a simple and budgetary Chinese model starts from three thousand rubles. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the price of the charger. Memory for lead batteries is not suitable here. As a result, a substantial amount will be obtained.

Owner feedback

Let's see what motorists think about gel batteries of 12 volts for a car. Reviews about them are different. Much is said about the fact that the service life is very different from the passport one. This is especially true for low-cost Chinese models. In the Russian winter, batteries often do not live for more than a year. But this is only about the cheap models. More expensive products that are designed for foreign cars, fully work out their passport resources and even more. The price of such batteries is from ten thousand rubles. But there are exceptions. For example, manufacturers declare that the battery can not be used for a long time after a full discharge. It is not always so. Sometimes in a year or two the storage of the battery is no longer amenable to a charge.

Conclusion

So, we found out what the gel batteries are. Reviews are very controversial, however this is an interesting development. вашего авто не превышает пяти лет. To buy them is only if the age of your car does not exceed five years.