Maintaining a GEL battery

[stevec]

I have just acquired a new (delivery miles only) Exide gel battery which I will fit as a second leisure battery when I get my new MH later this year. I want to maintain it in good condition until then. I have a multistage charge which I use for my car but this only has lead acid or lead acid agm settings. Would this be suitable? My most recent thought is that I should buy a solar charger (which I will need when the van arrives) and use that with a couple of small solar panels I have on my shed roof. This will have a gel setting (probably a Victron or Votronic). Thoughts please from the battery officionadoes(?) on here.

 

[Jim]

I thought Gel batteries needed a lower charge than both Lead Acid and AGM. I'm sure someone will know

Your new battery doesn't need constant charging, once its fully charged its probably best left alone in the shed, it will hold its charge for a month or two probably longer.

 

[stevec]

Thanks Jim , I did wonder that. Not sure what the self discharge rate is for gels. It may need a top up in a couple of months. New van has been delayed a while.

 

[Lenny HB]

Gels are normally charged to 14.4 v then they have a long absorbtion phase to fully charge them.
Your charger on the LA setting should be OK it will probably only charge to 14.4/14.5v. Just put it on charge for a few hours once a month, it won't hurt if left for a couple of months without a charge but easier to remember to do it monthly.

 

[stevec]

My car charger has LA or LA AGM . Also has a winter setting which changes the voltage. Not sure which way though!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Richard n Ann]

My car charger has LA or LA AGM . Also has a winter setting which changes the voltage. Not sure which way though!

It increases the charging voltage slightly when it's cold