Charging Gel Batteries - 220v/Alternator/Solar Considerations

[noelex]

Quote AGM batteries require frequent charging up to 100% for a reasonable life.
* No I don't accept that that is a significantly greater probelm with good AGMs than with other technologies.

It does not look promising that Lifeline AGM batteries are not covered under warranty unless recharged to 100%. On most boats 100% charge is achieved rarely. There are not many boats that recharge to 100% after each cycle, so presumably the warranty is void, although I am not sure how they know unless you disclose your charging practice.

“For maximum battery life, a battery must be recharged to 100% capacity. Recharging less than 100% may result in premature battery failure. Lifeline batteries are not covered under warranty if they are not recharged properly. For more information, please refer to our warranty policy

 

[Plevier]

Well I haven't found anything beyond their own website I'm afraid.

Their product range is impressive including low-antimony tubular batteries (that's what you ought to have for cycle life!), low-antimony flat plate deep cycle batteries, automotive and the VRLAs are lead calcium. The VRLAs are all industrial type not automotive. The pics of factory facilities - they have 3 factories for different ranges - look well organised and equipped but they can lie. They say all the right things technically, the company is substantial and has ISO approvals verified by TUV. Their client list is impressive - companies that are careful such as Emerson and ABB. Of course in India their choices are more limited.

I'm sure they must have licensed technology but I haven't found from who. It looks as though they started with forklift truck types and extended from there. Their car batteries use calcium-silver alloy - very up to date. Pioneered by Varta I think.

They claim 650 cycles at 50% DOD for the VRLAs -quite plausible for a decent product. NB They don't specifically state if they are gel or AGM - they describe both. You might want to double check. There are no manuals describing charge voltages and rates or discharge performance on the site unfortunately.

They have their own branch in Cochin not just a distributor, have you found them? Ravipuram Road, Ernakulum. HQ is Bangalore.

Websites can of course tell a pack of lies but it all looks good and technically consistent and no silly clangers. Whoever provided the technical input knows what they are about.

Probably worth a gamble if you can't get known ones and if price reasonable!

 

[Plevier]

It does not look promising that Lifeline AGM batteries are not covered under warranty unless recharged to 100%. On most boats 100% charge is achieved rarely. There are not many boats that recharge to 100% after each cycle, so presumably the warranty is void, although I am not sure how they know unless you disclose your charging practice.

“For maximum battery life, a battery must be recharged to 100% capacity. Recharging less than 100% may result in premature battery failure. Lifeline batteries are not covered under warranty if they are not recharged properly. For more information, please refer to our warranty policy

Yes, but this is true of all batteries. I'm saying it's no worse. It's a major problem because the only batteries kept at 100% are those on float charged standby systems. Car batteries - and as you say most boat batteries - usually run at 85% or less and suffer from it.

Manufacturers performance figures are invariably from selected samples operated in perfect conditions. Matching that claim in normal service is about as likely as achieving the claimed fuel consumption in your car.

When you get a warranty claim on a big system one of the first things you look for is persistent undercharge, and you can tell when you examine the plates.

Moderate undercharge is very unlikely to lead to sudden failure by the way, just a gradual loss of capacity.

 

[demonboy]

Well I haven't found anything beyond their own website I'm afraid.

Their product range is impressive including low-antimony tubular batteries (that's what you ought to have for cycle life!), low-antimony flat plate deep cycle batteries, automotive and the VRLAs are lead calcium. The VRLAs are all industrial type not automotive. The pics of factory facilities - they have 3 factories for different ranges - look well organised and equipped but they can lie. They say all the right things technically, the company is substantial and has ISO approvals verified by TUV. Their client list is impressive - companies that are careful such as Emerson and ABB. Of course in India their choices are more limited.

I'm sure they must have licensed technology but I haven't found from who. It looks as though they started with forklift truck types and extended from there. Their car batteries use calcium-silver alloy - very up to date. Pioneered by Varta I think.

They claim 650 cycles at 50% DOD for the VRLAs -quite plausible for a decent product. NB They don't specifically state if they are gel or AGM - they describe both. You might want to double check. There are no manuals describing charge voltages and rates or discharge performance on the site unfortunately.

They have their own branch in Cochin not just a distributor, have you found them? Ravipuram Road, Ernakulum. HQ is Bangalore.

Websites can of course tell a pack of lies but it all looks good and technically consistent and no silly clangers. Whoever provided the technical input knows what they are about.

Probably worth a gamble if you can't get known ones and if price reasonable!

Wow, that's comprehensive research. I have to thank you for your time, Troubadour. Yes, we're planning to head down to the branch today to discuss. Also I spotted the fact they grouped together gel and AGMs but I called and asked three times for our man to confirm that they are indeed AGMs.

You mention the tubular batteries. How/why are they different?

 

[Plevier]

You mention the tubular batteries. How/why are they different?

Instead of a grid with paste pressed into it, each positive plate is a series of parallel spines joined to a header (all cast as one piece). Each spine is surrounded by paste tightly packed inside a synthetic porous fabric tube up to about 10mm diameter. Commonest standard range is OPZS that I mentioned before.
Good cycle life, high cost, poor space and weight power density, poor high rate output.
Neg plates are pasted grids as normal. They are less critical because the volumetric change in the paste during the cycle - that's the major cause of damage - is less than on the positive.
They look ordinary externally, I'm not talking about cylindrical shape batteries.
Tubulars are the traditional long life solution for fork lifts and electric vehicles (milk floats etc). Flat plate traction is cheaper, lighter, smaller but shorter life.
You can get sealed gel tubulars but not (AFAIK) AGM tubulars, the geometry is not appropriate.

Just found an interesting paper at http://www.battcon.com/PapersFinal2006/RuschPaper2006.pdf