When it comes to means of transportation, each of us has our own tastes and preferences. Some people prefer passenger cars, and here, too, interests differ, since there are a considerable number of types of bodies. There are connoisseurs who find large SUVs attractive. But there is a category of people who value scooters. There are many advantages to be found in these small vehicles, and they will delight their owners. At least until the gel battery fails. How to restore it later is an interesting question, and this article is dedicated to it.
What is typical is that the number of people wishing to switch to two-wheeled transport is only increasing from year to year. And if compared with a moped or motorcycle, they are inferior to scooters in understandable advantages. Well, there’s no point in making any comparisons with a bicycle.
What kind of strange animal is this?
Today, a gel battery can be found in almost any store that sells spare parts for various types of vehicles. However, not everyone is aware of the issue of its design, since in appearance such batteries are practically no different from their acid counterparts.
Some time ago, lead acid batteries, into which liquid electrolyte was poured, were very popular. However, progress does not stand still, and now acid batteries have already lost their former glory, which has passed to their more advanced competitors. Nevertheless, there are also difficulties with them, and then the first question is: “Can gel batteries be restored?” More on this later.
Initially, batteries made using this technology were created for military equipment, in particular aviation. Conventional devices did not cope with their task because they were subjected to constant overloads, which negatively affected the acid electrolyte. And as a result, the battery will quickly fail without the possibility of recovery. It is for this reason that gel analogues appeared.
general description
Currently, gel batteries are widely distributed in various retail outlets, where they offer a wide range of spare parts for various vehicles. However, many people still do not know what the device is, how it works and what benefits it has. The fact is that externally the battery is not much different from its close cousins that run on acid.
For many years, old wet batteries have been in great demand. We are talking about acid models. However, as modern batteries developed, humanity began to actively abandon old, not entirely environmentally friendly systems, giving preference to improved modern developments.
Initially, such devices were developed exclusively for military transport, including aviation, where conventional batteries could not perform their task because they constantly overheated and lost capacity. As a result, they quickly failed and were no longer suitable for further use. Soon new inventions appeared on the market - gel analogues , which quickly occupied a leadership niche and began to gain popularity.
Advantages of a gel battery
You could go on for a very long time listing all the advantages of scooters over other vehicles, but this is not included in the topic under consideration. It is better to evaluate the advantages that a gel battery has.
In conventional power supplies, the chemical reactions of the electrolyte proceed quite violently with the release of vapors, and sometimes it simply boils. Acid batteries often exploded during operation. Will the gel battery suffer the same fate and how can I restore it later? Most likely not, since here lies the main difference and superiority of this power source. It uses an electrolyte of special viscosity, reminiscent of jelly in consistency. And again the question: “How to restore a gel battery?”
Thanks to the addition of a thickener, the battery can be used in almost any position. But, as practice shows, its effectiveness in a position on its side drops by a third, and turning it over is generally not recommended.
Other advantages include the following:
- repeated charge-discharge cycle;
- there is no need to initially charge gel batteries immediately after purchase;
- at maximum discharge, capacitive characteristics are not lost;
- high starting current;
- low loss of capacity during long periods of inactivity compared to acid devices;
- long service life.
It is also worth noting that if the case is damaged, this will in no way affect the performance of the battery. And in this case you won’t have to think about how to restore the gel battery. But for lead devices, this defect is dangerous because electrolyte leakage may occur. In gel ones, the latter is not in a liquid state, and therefore there can be no talk of any leakage.
In addition, modern analogues are recognized not only as high-tech, but also as the safest. As for the service life, theoretically it is up to 10 years. But, as practice shows, rarely does any specimen live that long.
What is the difference
The main feature of a gel battery is its tightness and a special jelly-like electrolyte. The gel composition was recognized as the best solution for a sealed structure. In a conventional automotive power source, the electrolyte participates extremely violently in chemical reactions - vapors are released, and sometimes boiling occurs. The sealed structure may explode if chemical reactions occur with violent release of vapors. To eliminate this effect, gel solutions used a special viscous electrolyte composition and a design that ensures self-absorption of released gases. The user may not even realize that he is the owner of a gel battery - after all, he will not be able to look inside without breaking it. Gel devices, due to their high output current, enjoy increased attention among lovers of powerful audio systems.
Disadvantages of a gel battery
Unfortunately, with all the obvious advantages, gel batteries are not without some disadvantages:
- high sensitivity to charge voltage;
- gel batteries do not tolerate short circuits in the electrical circuit;
- price.
Despite the fact that they are highly resistant to frost and some mechanical damage, they must be charged correctly. To do this, use only devices specifically designed for gel batteries. Otherwise, damage to the gel battery cannot be avoided, and the question of how to restore it will disappear by itself. Because there will be nothing to restore.
The charging voltage should not exceed 14.2-14.4 V, otherwise loss of performance is guaranteed. But there are no current restrictions, since such batteries have low internal resistance.
Can modern gel batteries fail? It is quite possible. If, for example, you completely discharge the battery and leave it in this state for a long period, then later, if necessary, it is unlikely to want to be charged. Therefore, it is better to charge the battery in a timely manner. Also, do not use car devices for charging.
Fortunately, the gel battery has few disadvantages. However, in our world there is still no such object or device that would be completely devoid of all disadvantages and would contain only advantages. Such an ideal! Although, maybe it’s just a matter of time?!
Summary
Chemical sources of electric current, which include lead-acid, are in a state of constant improvement. Gel batteries are the next stage of this development. Gel batteries are ideal for use in transport on extreme or sports routes, for owners of powerful audio systems. They performed well at high current loads and have an impressive service life. If necessary, you can restore a tired gel battery by applying cyclic voltage.
Recovery issues
As practice shows, the first problems arise after 4 years of use. Loss of electrical capacity or boiling away of water from the electrolyte are some of the most common symptoms that a gel battery suffers from. How to restore it is the first thing that comes to the owner’s mind. Despite the fact that this type of battery is a maintenance-free device and cannot be resuscitated, you can still try to do it.
During operation, over time, the gel-like electrolyte begins to dry out, even in the presence of such a phenomenon as gas recombination. The whole point of the restoration process is to add water, as is done with acid batteries. But with a gel battery, everything is not as simple as it seems, because it is more capricious.
mission Impossible
Unfortunately, or maybe, on the contrary, fortunately, there are times when it is not possible to restore a gel battery. One of these irreversible faults is when the electrolyte begins to peel off from the plates.
Or they may begin to break down. If this happens, then this also negates all attempts to revive the product. It is not difficult to detect such a malfunction - just shake the battery, and you can hear a noise coming from inside. The presence of a crack is also an unpleasant sign. How to restore a gel battery (12V) if available? The answer is simple: no way.
Visual diagnostics
As a rule, it is worthwhile to restore the battery when the output voltage is less than 10 volts. First, you should carefully inspect the product for cracks or extraneous noise when shaken slightly. If the listed defects are found, the restoration stage is completed, since the problem can only be solved by purchasing a new battery.
If everything is in order (nothing rattles, no cracks), you should pay attention to the residual stress. If it is less than 30%, then the conclusion is also disappointing. You can try, but it’s like playing roulette - maybe you’ll get lucky, but it’s unlikely. It is good when the residual stress is close to 60%. In this case, you can proceed directly to solving the problem. So, how to restore a scooter's gel battery?
Water filling procedure
The water for the gel battery is not ordinary tap water, but distilled water. If you have questions about purchasing it, you can contact one of the pharmacies or a store that is popular among car enthusiasts. But it is best to buy distilled water at a pharmacy, since you can avoid counterfeiting.
Filling with water is done with a syringe, and there are several effective methods that are essentially the same:
- The method is as follows. Using a syringe, each jar is completely filled with water, after which you need to leave the battery for a while. 5-10 minutes is enough, after which all the water should be removed, using the same xs syringe. During this period, the electrolyte will absorb the required amount of water. In some cases, it is recommended to wait not 10 minutes, but half an hour. After the water has been drained, you can close the caps and charge the battery.
- The next way to restore a gel battery (12V, 7 Ah) is no less effective. You need to pour no more than 3 cubes of water into each of the cans, after which they are closed with caps, and the power source is put on charge.
- Fill the jars with water until the plates close, but at the same time you want the water to not reach the edges. Do not close the caps yet, as excess water and gas will escape. Now you can charge the battery, and at the end of the process you can close the jars with caps.
When installing the protective rubber bands in their place before charging (except for the last case), you need to fix them well.
Method for diluting electrolyte for an alkaline power source
The density and amount of electrolyte in such batteries is indicated in the operating instructions for the power source or on the manufacturer’s website.
| Required solution density | The amount of solid alkali is equal to the amount of electrolyte divided by |
| 1.17–1.19 g/cm³ | 5 |
| 1.19–1.21 g/cm³ | 3 |
| 1.25–1.27 g/cm³ | 2 |
- Pour distilled water into the bowl.
- Add lye.
- Mix the solution, seal it tightly and let it brew for 6 hours.
- After the time has passed, drain the resulting light solution - the electrolyte is ready.
When sediment appears, stir it. If it remains at the end of settling, drain the electrolyte so that the sediment does not get into the battery - this will lead to a decrease in its service life.
Attention! During work, the temperature of the alkaline solution should not exceed 25 degrees Celsius. If the liquid becomes excessively hot, cool it.
After bringing the solution to room temperature and pouring it into the battery, the power source must be fully charged with a current equal to 10% of the battery capacity (60Ah - 6A).
As you can see, preparing an electrolyte solution is not such a difficult matter. The main thing is to clearly determine the required amount of ingredients and remember about safety. Have you tried diluting electrolyte with your own hands? Share your experience with our readers in the comments.
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Charging Features
When charging a gel battery, the main thing is to remember to supply a voltage of no more than 14.2-14.4 V, as mentioned above. Unless, of course, we want to get a product that is unusable. But you should pay attention to the current. Its value should be 10% of the battery capacity. For example, 7-amp products need to be charged with a current of 0.7 A.
In some cases, it is not always possible to decide how to restore a gel battery at home. Or rather, the result does not meet expectations. At first, when connecting the product to the charger, no current consumption will be observed, so the ammeter will not show anything. But after some time, the “hungry” battery will begin to take portion after portion. All that remains is to wait for the battery voltage to reach the desired value.
As a rule, this is 12.6-12.8 volts. You will have to wait a lot - from 10 to 12 hours, no less, and therefore you can go about your business, only periodically checking how things are going.
What can happen if you charge incorrectly?
A gel battery is a capricious “creation”, and if you apply a voltage of 15 or more volts, it will simply swell, since the battery is completely sealed. In addition, detachment of the electrolyte from the plates may occur. In some cases, gas is even released. Then how to restore a gel battery (6V) is out of the question.
Thanks to its good sealing, any room is suitable for charging the battery, the main thing is to prevent the voltage from increasing. You need to turn off the charger only after the battery is fully charged, not earlier. This is also very important!
How to extend the device's operating life
Application of GEL (Gelled Electrolite) and AGM (Absorptive Glass Mat) technologies for the need to maintain a gel battery.
The service life of a gel battery depends on the operating conditions and care of it. It is not recommended to allow the battery to completely discharge.
If this happens, use a limited charge replenishment scheme - not 10%, but 5% of the declared capacity - and double the process time. The loss of energy intensity during such actions is less than with the standard method.
To avoid such situations, you should purchase a multimeter. For preventive purposes, they regularly check the correct fastening of the terminals and perform a full battery charging cycle once a quarter.
