If you have a caravan, a fishing boat, or a golf car or whatever may be your vehicle, you are looking for a new 12V deep cycle battery. Right? Now you seem confused, wondering whether the gel variant or the AGM deep cycle battery is better.
What is a deep cycle battery?
If you are not very well versed with batteries, this is the first question you must address. Most people only worry about batteries when they stop working. So, it may be hard for you to distinguish between different batteries.
For example, your TV remote is equipped with an AA or AAA battery. The battery in your car’s key is a button cell battery. Meanwhile, your car is fitted with a starter or cranking battery, which boosts a sudden charge to kickstart the motor.
But, how do all these batteries differ from each other? Well, their depth of discharge (DoD) is their differing point. The DoD determines how long a battery will run before it needs to be recharged or replaced.
Now, the cranking battery in your car usually has a 2-5% discharge rate, thus not having a long lifespan. On the other hand, a deep cycle battery may run until 80% of its battery is discharged before needing a recharge.
It’s because the former has lighter, thinner lead plates while the latter is constituted of thicker and heavier lead plates.
This is precisely why heavy vehicles need deep cycle batteries!
Is the AGM deep cycle battery better?
Every deep cycle battery is formed of sulfuric acid electrolyte solution and lead plates which gives rise to a chemical reaction that produces electricity. The AGM batteries are created with an absorbent mat of fiberglass, soaking in the electrolyte solution between the lead plates.
The AGM battery is the answer for a safer and lighter battery than traditional and old lead-acid batteries. It’s a lighter power source that works efficiently and is less hazardous.
Moreover, thanks to the absorbent glass mat, the batteries do not necessarily have to take their rectangular shape. It could be an odd shape to fit any space as per usage.
This design also offers excellent vibration resistance. It’s ideal for quad bikes, camping appliances, boats, motorbikes, etc., which undergo a certain level of bumping and bouncing.
The AGM batteries are also cheaper, recharge quickly, last for 4-7 years, and perform aptly over 80℃ and under 0℃.
Is gel deep cycle battery better?
The gel in the deep cycle battery is a silica gel that holds the sulfuric acid together. This gel is so thick that it can hardly move around, ensuring that you can put the batteries however without any worry of leakage.
These gel deep cycle batteries are ideal when there is no proper ventilation since there is no production of fumes. Moreover, the gel, as opposed to the electrolyte solution, makes it maintenance-free.
If they are correctly charged, there will never be a stage of deathly discharge, either!
Who wins?
Both the gel and AGM deep cycle battery offer distinct advantages. But if you were to pick one, the AGM battery easily outperforms the gel battery!
It’s lighter, cost-effective, runs for a longer lifespan, and holds better power capacity.
Additionally, it can operate in ungodly temperatures, is relatively safe, and the charging period is not as extensive as a gel battery.
You can buy the AGM battery without any confusion and worry!
