Thread: Anyone used Gel batteries?

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

bet he suggests a flooded wet cell.

Yep always a safe bet in my books.

There are a few things to consider when trying to decide what type of battery will best meet your needs and that means NOT ruling out AGMs.

If the battery is going into a camper trailer or caravan and you not in a position to be able to keep up decent maintenance on the battery(s) then AGMs are a better choice in that once fully charged they can go much longer periods between charges before any damage is done.

If you have power available and/so solar, and can keep a trickle charge on the battery, flooded wet cells will be fine.

Batteries mounted in the back of a vehicle that is your daily drive, then again, whats wrong with using a flooded wet cell.

In both the set ups above, the length of the cable run will pretty well guaranty that you will never over charge your house/auxiliary batteries. So AGMs or flooded wet cells are both equally suited.

Pat, I can’t remember if your auxiliary battery is under the bonnet, it sounds like it is, if so then you can either spend the big bucks and get a spiral type automotive battery or my personal choice would be a second flooded wet cell cranking battery.

You say you run your winch off the second battery, here I would suggest you connect your winch to the cranking battery as this means the shortest cable run from the alternator to the winch and that means a higher voltage at the winch when in use and use a marine battery switch to connect the two batteries together only while winching.

Spot lights, if only used while driving, should be on your cranking battery. But if they are used at other times as well then leave them.

Fridge is fine.

My second battery is under my seat,main is under the passangers.All the wires except the winch supply wire are the same length.I'll throw the GEL away and buy a CAT wet cell.I hope everyone has learnt as much as I have.A big thanks for both Tim and Dave. Pat