CaptainBob
Well-Known Member
I have a couple of SFL 110 batteries. My charger has dip switches set to act is if they're "Flooded" type. Is this correct? They're maintenance free leisure batteries.
TY!
TY!
Battery Type? SFL 110
- Thread starter CaptainBob
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Gin
Well-Known Member
I believe so, same as my Squadron SFL's- still a flooded lead acid cell, just doesn't need electrolyte to be topped up
sailorman
Well-Known Member
the flooded cell setting will give a higher "Float / Terminal " charge
sealed will be lower ( poss 13.8 v ) as they cant gass off the same as flooded type
sealed will be lower ( poss 13.8 v ) as they cant gass off the same as flooded type
pampas
Well-Known Member
If there is no means of topping up the cells,set to Gel type then minimal water will be lost, my standard type cells have been on this setting for about 4 years and the levels have not gone down. Now I know all the pundits will come in with float levels and it will never charge to max, but I am of the old school that thinks if reasonable charge goes in then it must be doing good.
Plevier
Well-Known Member
Provided you are talking about sealed gas recombination batteries, also known as AGM, but now correctly known as "valve regulated lead acid", I have to disagree. They actually need a higher float voltage not lower as the electrolyte in them is of higher specific gravity to compensate for the reduced volume. What you mustn't do with them is go significantly higher than the float voltage for a quick boost charge which you can do with a flooded battery.
The terminal voltage of a fully charged VRLA is also higher because of the higher sg.
Gel would normally be a bit lower than VRLA.
To be honest with so many other variables it probably makes little difference in a boat context where batteries do get discharged. It does when you are looking for longest life of constant float charge systems that are rarely discharged.
"Sealed maintenance free" batteries with liquid in them are just flooded lead acid batteries. That's the setting to use. Sealed in those jsut means you can't top up - it doesn't mean they don't gas.
Mike
The terminal voltage of a fully charged VRLA is also higher because of the higher sg.
Gel would normally be a bit lower than VRLA.
To be honest with so many other variables it probably makes little difference in a boat context where batteries do get discharged. It does when you are looking for longest life of constant float charge systems that are rarely discharged.
"Sealed maintenance free" batteries with liquid in them are just flooded lead acid batteries. That's the setting to use. Sealed in those jsut means you can't top up - it doesn't mean they don't gas.
Mike
CaptainBob
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the replies. Will leave it on flooded setting.
