Sealed Gel Cell; Monthly Maintenance - Trace Engineering TS Manual

Sealed Gel Cell

Sealed gel cell batteries do not use battery caps because the electrolyte is in the form of a
gel. This allows the batteries to be mounted in any position without spilling. Other
advantages are: no maintenance, long life (800 cycles claimed) , and low self-discharge.
The disadvantage is high initial cost and the possibility of damage from overcharging. Don't
confuse sealed batteries with maintenance-free batteries - the latter are typically standard
liquid electrolyte batteries with no caps for adding water; when the electrolyte gets low you
replace the battery. For best results, use the Battery Temperature Sensor (BTS) option with
sealed batteries.

Monthly Maintenance

Check the level of the electrolyte in each battery at least once a month. It must be above
the top of the plates, but not completely full. Most batteries have a split plastic cup under
the caps, which the electrolyte should just touch when full. Don't overfill the batteries, or
the electrolyte will spill out of the batteries when recharging. Refill batteries with distilled
water only - "spring" water and regular tap water may have high levels of minerals that can
poison the battery chemistry and reduce battery life.
Check the battery cable connectors for tightness and corrosion. To remove corrosion,
disconnect the cables and carefully rinse with a mild solution of baking soda and water. DO
NOT ALLOW THE SOLUTION TO ENTER THE BATTERY. Rinse the top of the battery
with clean water when finished. Remove stubborn corrosion with a wire brush. Any
automotive parts store will have a wire brush tool specifically designed for cleaning cable
lugs and battery terminals.
To prevent corrosion from forming on the battery terminals and cable lugs, coat them (only
after installing the cables) with liquid neoprene or anti-corrosion grease available from any
quality marine, automotive or battery equipment supplier. Do not apply any material
between the terminal and the cable lugs - the connection must be metal-to-metal. Apply
the protective coating only after the bolts are tight.
Inter-Battery Cabling
Batteries may be connected in series, in parallel, or both depending upon your purpose.
To increase voltage, connect two or more batteries in series as shown in the diagram
below. The voltage of the combined batteries will be the sum of the voltage of all the
batteries. The amp-hour capacity will remain unchanged. To increase amp-hour capacity,
connect two or more batteries in parallel as shown in diagram B. The amp-hour capacity of
the combined batteries will be the sum of each individual battery, but the voltage will remain
unchanged.
A. Series Cabling:
6-volt + 6-volt = 12 volt.
B. Parallel Cabling:
220 ah + 220 ah = 440 ah
Copyright Trace Engineering Co. Inc.
t h
5916 195 Street, NE
Arlington, WA 98223 USA
Tel (360) 435-8826
Fax (360)435-2229
www.traceengineering.com
Part Number 3141
Effective Date: July 15, 1998
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