We all know that car batteries are divided into 2 categories - serviced and maintenance-free. The latter appeared much earlier, and by their properties are less reliable and productive. During operation, they require constant self-care, while maintenance-free ones can work without interruption until they are fully discharged. The only thing they need is a periodic charge every six months.
So - recently in the Russian market such batteries began to appear that can go without charging for years. These are gel batteries. Due to what they are so "tenacious" and do they have flaws?
Design Features
These batteries are classified as lead acid. Therefore, they are very similar to conventional car batteries, which are equipped with most VAZs. They also have a plastic case in which there are plates of lead or lead alloys. These substances are usually immersed in an electrolyte.
Technical features
The main difference between gel batteries is that the liquid with lead plates is presented in a thicker, less fluid state than conventional batteries. At the same time, the electrolyte contains special additives that allow the device to receive a jelly-like mass, that is, a gel (hence the name “gel”).
Benefits
The gel car battery is primarily distinguished by its long service life. Due to the use of new technologies, such a battery charges 6-7 times faster than a regular one, and at the same time it provides the car with a high starting current at startup. Moreover, gel car batteries can easily withstand the load of additional electronic devices. Even if the air conditioner, light, subwoofer and radio tape recorder are simultaneously turned on in the car, the battery will still provide the optimal current in the electronic circuit. At the same time, the gel car battery does not discharge as quickly as the rest. By the way, if the case of this device is damaged, the electrolyte will not leak.
disadvantages
“Why is this battery still not widespread?” - you ask. And all because this battery is several times more expensive than those that are now used on most cars. For gel batteries, the car price is just crazy. Even the cheapest option costs at least 5 thousand rubles. And for some models, the price can go up to 20 or more thousand. In stores, it is much less common, and even through the Internet it is not always possible to buy it. But price is not the only barrier to a gel battery. If such a battery is recharged, all the electrolyte in it will quickly boil away. And it charges much faster than ordinary ones. Therefore, you need to be very careful. Also, a gel car battery is very afraid of frost. If it is supercooled, it will no longer function.
In general, a gel car battery is a fairly good device, but its cost and vulnerability to cold make the product less common in Russia.