| Type |
Pros |
Cons |
|
|
|
Wet or Flooded Lead Acid |
· Lowest cost to purchase by amp hour
· Less sensitive than the other two styles in accepting higher charging
voltages and less expensive / less regulated charging methods
· Good deep cycle performance |
· Can spill corrosive battery acid
· Must be installed upright
· Requires regular maintenance
· More quickly damaged if left discharged
· NOTE: all lead acid batteries sulfate if left discharged and require
maintenance charging
· Not suitable for high vibration environments |
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|
|
Gel
Cell |
· Better
for rough service environments
· Leak
proof
· Can be installed on its side with small drop in performance
· Less susceptible to low temperatures
· When
charged correctly does not vent much gas
· Low
self discharge rate |
· Higher
initial cost than Liquid Cell
· Electrolyte cannot be replaced
· Charging tolerances are tighter; cannot be charged over 14.2V without
damage
· Not
ideal for use with automotive or unregulated chargers
· NOTE:
all lead acid batteries sulfate if left discharged and require
maintenance charging |
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|
|
AGM |
· Maintenance-free
· Leak
proof when tipped or if case is cracked
· Used
for both deep cycle or starting batteries
· Can be
installed at any angle (except upside down)
· Shock
and vibration resistant
· Minimal
gas release when charged properly
· Low
self-discharge rate
· Can be
submerged in water without internal damage (battery terminals will
corrode)
· Many
charge cycles when properly charged
· Better
performance for DC loads |
· Highest
initial cost of all three types
· More
weight per Ah than wet cells
· Electrolyte cannot be replaced
· NOTE:
all lead acid batteries sulfate if left discharged and require
maintenance charging |
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|
|
