Gel batteries

[a64pilot]

I’m thinking my next bank will be Gel, so I’d like to know what you guys know about Gel banks, strengths and weaknesses. How hard can they be charged, do you have to limit charge current or do they like other LA batteries self limit by acceptance rate if charge voltage is tightly controlled.
Probably make this change next year.

I’m not interested in LFP.

I have the ability to program charge voltages to the .1V on all sources and can terminate charge on shore power and Solar by trailing amps.

Then finally and important to me, does anyone know of a US source of a 12V 200 amp Gel battery? My battery box is apparently made for that big ole battery, my specific problem is height, be a whole lot easier if I can go with that battery unless of course there are no good 200 amp 12V batteries.
Only ones I can find are Renogy batteries, and I have no idea who manufacturers them and if they are a very high quality battery or not.
Plus I’m having difficulty finding out specific charge information on that battery, I guess I’ve been spoiled by Lifeline’s manual.

[NewMoon]

Highly regarded East Penn (Deka) 8D gels have 225 AH. I had 4D Deka gels on my boat when I bought it. They were 14 years old at the time, and still functioning for another year before I replaced them.

[Adelie]

6v deepcycle gels: https://www.trojanbattery.com/product/6v-gel/

[a64pilot]

Thing that kills me is battery box height. My lifeline GPL-4CT are actually about 1/8 too tall, the box cover is slightly proud with them installed.
They are I believe 9.9” tall. So if possible a max height of 9.75” or less is desired.
I’ll measure the actual box dimensions to see what will fit.

[a64pilot]

Unfortunately I really don’t have access to do a nice computer drawing, but hope this is legible.
What batteries do you guys think this box was designed for?
That would probably help knowing. A lot.

[hugoman]

I fitted 3 gel (80 AH) on my sun odyssey 34.2 8 years ago. Yes, you do have to charge them slower (smart regulator takes care of that) and I have a big solar array, to keep them topped up. When my boat is on its mooring I actually leave the fridge on in the summer (victron MPPT reg takes care of that bit) and I've even fitted (and am currently tested) electric hot water (from solar, not shore power).

[Adelie]

I think you are out of luck for height unless you are willing to go with AGM and smaller batteries.


https://www.eastpennmanufacturing.co...Flyer-1740.pdf

[a64pilot]

Missing dimension added

[a64pilot]

Well, the boat shipped with some kind of batteries in it.

[Adelie]

Looks like 3 batteries oriented L-R.

I would look to changing the space to suit available batteries rather than finding batteries that will fit it. Battery dimensions have changed.
If you want a real golf-cart (deep-cycle) battery you will need to deal with their normal dimensions now.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Unfortunately I really don’t have access to do a nice computer drawing, but hope this is legible.
What batteries do you guys think this box was designed for?
That would probably help knowing. A lot.

a64, many of us have been following your battery box "woes" for quite some time, in my case because you've written some very good posts on the limits of AGMs.


I'm sure you've considered getting a hold of Bob and asking him. Is he "still around?"

[a64pilot]

A little digging has found it came with “Prevailer” Gel batteries, which in 1987 was apparently a Military battery designed to meet “Nato” spec’s.
I believe that makes it a Sonnenschein battery, but unfortunately I can’t find model or group number.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

a64, many of us have been following your battery box "woes" for quite some time, in my case because you've written some very good posts on the limits of AGMs.


I'm sure you've considered getting a hold of Bob and asking him. Is he "still around?"

I called the factory, she said she will look up the drawings, but I’m not holding my breath, cause I have asked for info before and never gotten an answer back from them.
I have no idea about Bob Johnson.
My gut says the original factory battery size may still exist, and if it’s a Sonnenschein battery it may be expensive, but I believe they have a good reputation.
Then I have to find a source on this side of the pond.

99% sure I can’t easily increase the depth of the battery box as the hull is in the way.
That means moving the bank into other storage space, which I don’t want to loose space if I can help It. Storage space is of course at a premium and we have sort of gotten used to what is where.
Space that I would lose would be less than half full of batteries, and of course you don’t really want to store anything on top of batteries.

Sure would be a lot easier to find what Gel battery actually went in there and buy it if it’s available.

[Adelie]

http://www.sonnenschein.org/Prevailer.htm

[Cheechako]

I had gel on two boats. One set was Deka. They were great. I never even adjusted charging voltage. I just "let er rip" and the banks were still good when the boats were sold.