A few years ago, gel batteries began to appear on the gas station and in stores. They have several advantages over standard and even AGM and EFB batteries. But technology features impose a number of limitations. The biggest problem is that you will not be able to charge the GEL battery in the usual way.
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Charging Features
There are certain restrictions on the use of rechargeable gel batteries. First of all, they are associated with the features of the charge. The charge is produced both during the movement of the machine, the engine, and with the help of chargers. At the same time, devices designed to charge ordinary batteries are not always suitable for gel ones due to the need to comply with strict current and voltage standards.
You cannot charge gel batteries with a normal charger without any modifications.
The labeling of many gel batteries contains the limit values of the charge current, maximum charge voltage and minimum voltage in storage mode in the form of digital values. This once again proves how important it is to maintain operability.
In some cars, the standard operating conditions of the generator charging system allow large limits for changes in current and voltage on the battery. This applies primarily to older cars. Before installing a gel battery, it is necessary to consult with an electrician who understands the electrical parameters of the generator installed on the car. In addition, it is necessary to more often monitor the operability of the generator voltage regulator so that the battery is not prematurely damaged.
It is incorrect to assume that gel batteries are not acidic. By the composition of the electrolyte, they are as close as possible to ordinary batteries. Due to special additives, the electrolyte is transferred into a gel state, like gelatin turns broth into filler. Therefore, do not touch the gel with your hands if the battery case is damaged. Even if it is written that it is absolutely safe.
When you need to install a gel battery for charging
Some sources indicate that this type of battery allows full discharge and long-term storage in this state. To put it mildly, this is not entirely correct. Like any acid battery, it does not allow a complete discharge. In this case, the destruction of the plates. In addition, during charging “from scratch” a large current flows, which can lead to a malfunction of the battery. During charging with high currents, intense gas generation occurs, the banks do not have time to adsorb them.
Do not allow a complete battery discharge and storage in a fully discharged state.
At the enterprises engaged in the trading of batteries, which for a long time maintain gel batteries in a ready-for-use condition, they are guided by the parameter “standby use”, Usually indicated on the nameplate of the enclosure or in the technical manual. It ranges from 6.7 to 7.5 volts. It is this minimum voltage that must be allowed on the gel battery. If the voltage is less, it should immediately be charged.
Preparing the battery for charging
Before first charging the battery, you need to familiarize yourself with its parameters, first of all:
- Standby - voltage during storage and waiting for use, readiness.If the voltage on the battery is less, the charge voltage should be reduced by about half if the charger allows it. It should be charged periodically: half an hour charging, half an hour break. After two or three cycles, switch to normal mode.
- Cycle use - ultimate voltage during a charge. The standard value is 14.1 - 14.4 Volts. Most conventional chargers have a nominal voltage of 14.5 to 15.5 volts. That is why they are not suitable for gel batteries (without alteration).
- «Max initial current"- maximum charge current. If this parameter is not specified, about 10% of the capacity is selected. For example, if the battery capacity is 50 ampere-hours, a current of 5 amperes is selected.
Now gel-serviced batteries have appeared on the market, in this case, plugs should be unscrewed before charging so that possible degassing occurs.
How to charge the battery properly
When restoring capacity using a charger (charger), you must strictly adhere to the following algorithm:
- Clean the battery terminals and the crocodile clips of the charger.
- Place the battery on a stable, level surface.
- Set the maximum voltage "Cycle use", If it is not indicated on the batteries, then we set it within 14-14.4 volts.
- Set the minimum charge current, if there is a limit of 0, then set the zero current.
- Carefully fasten the crocodile clips of the charger to the battery terminals.
- Turn on the charger.
- Set the charge current within 0.5 from "Max initial current", Or 5% of the battery capacity (if the capacity is 50 Ah, then 2.5 Amps). Start charging. After 5 - 10 minutes, bring the charge current to "Max initial current"(10% of the capacity or if the capacity is 50 Ah, then up to 5 Amps).
- If after some time the voltage exceeds 14.4 volts (this happens on devices with a weak degree of regulation), it is necessary to reduce the voltage value. This charge mode is called direct current.
- Next, a constant voltage mode is performed, that is, the current will decrease, the voltage remains nominal. In this mode, the capacity is not filled up to 100%, but only 80%.
- The final stage of the charge is carried out at a voltage of 14.1 volts, current less than 1 ampere.
Charging in the machine
To charge the battery in the "Automatic" mode, if one is provided on the charger, no special adjustments should be made. It is necessary to connect the crocodile clips to the battery terminals, turn on the charger in the "automatic" and "GEL" modes, and wait for a message about the end of charging.
When using automatic memory for the first time, after half an hour you should independently control the voltage (preferably current) on the charger. The fact is that some Chinese chargers do not quite correctly set the charge voltage. For the "Gel" mode, this is fundamental.
When the battery is charging and how to check
If an automatic charger is used, it will stop charging according to the built-in algorithm. In the case when the charge is used in manual mode, you should stop the process after reaching 80% of the nominal capacity. This moment usually occurs after 7-8 hours of charging with a current of 10% of the nominal capacity.
Verification can be done with load fork. Charging can be completed if the load plug shows 0.8 of the rated starting current. Further recharging, which provides for a full cycle of charging gel batteries, is 4-6 hours with a current of 0.1% of the nominal capacity. For car batteries, it is about 1 ampere.
Which charger should be purchased for a gel battery
An ideal memory should:
- have manual voltage and charge current adjustments;
- there should be an automatic charge mode of gel batteries three-stage (preparation, main, recharge) or four-stage (plus storage);
- have temperature compensation to prevent overcharging, which leads to a decrease in battery life;
- have a built-in measuring device for currents and voltages, a cooling fan speed controller;
- provide a maximum temperature range.
Preparatory mode provides direct current charge, while the voltage on the battery increases. It is important that the voltage for gel batteries does not exceed 14.4 Volts.
The main charge is held at constant voltage with decreasing current.
Final recharge occurs at minimum current and undervoltage.
Battery maintenance after charging
Maintenance of the gel battery provides:
- regular cleaning of the terminals and the surface of the battery;
- checking the leakage currents of the battery in the car to prevent a full discharge;
- control of the generator charge voltage at various revolutions (should not be more than 14.4 Volts);
- regular monitoring during long-term parking of residual voltage (must be more than 7.0 volts);
- battery integrity check.
Gel batteries are one of the most expensive and they are quite moody, so it is recommended to purchase a high-quality charger with automatic mode.
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