Specifying Lead Acid Batteries And Chargers - Samlexpower SEC-1260A Owner's Manual

SPECIFYING LEAD ACID BATTERIES AND CHARGERS

FLOODED / WET CELL AND SLA (SEALED LEAD ACID) BATTERIES
There are two categories of lead acid batteries – Flooded/Wet Cell and Sealed Lead Acid
(SLA). A flooded/wet cell battery has a high tolerance to overcharging. However, it will
release hydrogen gas when charging that must be properly vented and the water level must
be checked frequently. SLA batteries can either be Gel Cell or AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat).
Both the Gel Cell and AGM are maintenance free, have no liquid to spill and gassing is
minimal. The Gel Cell is the least affected by temperature extremes, storage at low state of
charge and has a low rate of self discharge. An AGM battery will handle overcharging slightly
better than the Gel Cell.
Lead-acid batteries can be categorized by the type of application: Automotive service -
Starting/Lighting/Ignition (SLI, a.k.a. cranking) and Deep Cycle service.
SLI BATTERIES
Everybody is familiar with the SLI batteries that are used for automotive starting and
powering vehicular accessories. SLI batteries are designed to produce high power in short
bursts but must be constantly recharged (normally with an alternator while driving). Vehicle
starting typically discharges 1%-3% of a healthy SLI battery's capacity.
The automotive SLI battery is not designed for repeated deep discharge where up to 80 % of
the battery capacity is discharged and then recharged. If an SLI battery is used for this type
of application, its useful service life will be drastically reduced.
DEEP CYCLE BATTERIES
Deep cycle batteries are designed with thick-plate electrodes to serve as primary power
sources, to have a constant discharge rate, to have the capability to be deeply discharged up
to 80 % capacity and to repeatedly accept recharging. They are marketed for use in recre-
ation vehicles (RV), boats and electric golf carts – so they may be referred to as RV batteries,
marine batteries or golf cart batteries. There are two categories of deep cycle lead acid
batteries – wet and sealed. A wet cell battery has a high tolerance to overcharging. However,
it will release hydrogen gas when charging that must be properly vented and the water level
must be checked frequently. Sealed batteries can either be Gel Cell or AGM (Absorbed Glass
Mat). Both the Gel Cell and AGM are maintenance free, have no liquid to spill and gassing
is minimal. The Gel Cell is the least affected by temperature extremes, storage at low state of
charge and has a low rate of self discharge. An AGM battery will handle overcharging slightly
better than the Gel Cell.
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