Advantages of Gel Batteries

• Power boats rely on gel cell batteries. Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images

  Gelled batteries, or "gel cells," contain acid that has been gelled by the addition of silica gel, turning the acid into a solid mass that looks like gooey Jell-O. They contain less acid than a regular battery. Commonly used in wheelchairs, golf carts and marine applications, gel batteries are known as VRLA (valve related lead-acid) batteries. There are several advantages to using gel batteries.

Maintenance Free

• Less maintenance means more time for relaxation. passing time on boat image by JulianMay.co.uk from Fotolia.com

  They are maintenance free. Since the battery system is designed to eliminate the emission of gases, the volume of free electrolyte (battery acid) that could be released is very small. There is therefore no need to check the level of the electrolyte or top off water lost due to electrolysis.

Leak-Proof Battery

• No leaks mean no rust. rusty detail texture image by Andrejs Pidjass from Fotolia.com

  They are leak-proof and will not leak even if the container is cracked or broken. In these sealed lead-acid batteries, a glass-mat separator absorbs the electrolyte and holds it between the lead plates. Because the acid electrolyte is held by the absorbent mat, the battery will not leak or spill.

Proper Battery Charger is Required

• Using the right charger is required with Gel Cell batteries. battery charger image by Albert Lozano from Fotolia.com

  They require no maintenance once the charging system has been properly set up. They are finicky when it comes to being recharged, so it is important that the correct battery charger be used on a gel cell battery, otherwise poor performance may result.

Additional Safety Gear not Required

• Shipping gel cell batteries is simple and safe. shipping line of boxes-cartons image by Michael Brown from Fotolia.com

  They require no additional safety gear to carry on board a ship and no special handling precautions when being shipped since they do not leak, spill or corrode and their contents are completely sealed.

Easy Operation in Most Temperatures

• Wrap up and enjoy the outdoors without worrying about battery failure. freezing boy image by Indigo Fish from Fotolia.com

  They can operate in a variety of temperatures from very high to very low (between -40 degrees Fahrenheit to 140 degrees Fahrenheit) and may last a bit longer in hot weather applications than other batteries.

Worry -Free, Heat and Shock Resistant

• They are non-corrosive so there is no worry about sulfuric acid leaking from it. Because their plastic cases are ruggedly built, they can also withstand vibration, heat and shock.