Why Gel Batteries?

January 20, 2021

Here at Caldera Energy, we believe gel batteries are the best value for year round use energy systems in Canada. 

A gel battery is more completely described as a valve regulated lead acid battery with gelled electrolyte. 

A gel battery is better than the other types of lead acid batteries for several reasons:

1)  Long service life that provides the most value.  Gel batteries can be cycled around 40% more than an AGM type battery.  When you factor in the cost and hassle of replacing batteries every few years, this is a major advantage.

​

2)  Gel is safe to use and transport.  Gel batteries are sealed and can be used in any orientation without leaking and are not considered dangerous goods to transport.  Many larger flooded or AGM batteries are considered dangerous goods and require specialty measures taken to transport.  The last thing you want to worry about it acid leaking out of your batteries.  Gel batteries also do not gas during normal operation.  For safety purposes we still recommend them to be in vented locations as gassing can occur if something goes wrong with the battery charger and voltage becomes far too high.

​

3)  Gel batteries are ready to work at any temperature.  Compared to flooded batteries, gel outperforms at both cold and high temperatures.  In Canada, cold temperatures are a regular occurrence and gel batteries shine here.

​

4) Maintenance free - while AGM batteries can claim this as well, avoiding the messy process of measuring and adding distilled water is a huge drawback for flooded batteries.

​

The decision between gel and lithium may be a tougher one.  They both have fantastic cycling performance but lithium outperforms even gel in cycling life.  If you have a boat or RV for spring-fall use, lithium might be hard to beat.  However, if your batteries are going to experience below 0C temperatures, gel takes the win.  Gel also wins with a lower initial cost.

​

Gelled electrolyte batteries are the best lead acid batteries on the market and worth every penny over a flooded or AGM battery.  Try out our gel batteries and time will show you made the right decision.