[Boatanchors] GEL CELLS

[rbethman]

John,

This is an issue with Gel Cell batteries in general.

Even the "old fashioned" fluid electrolyte batteries would result in 
very similar results over "several" years.  This was always especially 
true if stored on a concrete floor.

Gel Cell batteries "require" a small "float" charge to keep them 
functional over an extended period.

I have dealt with recent "pulls" from security systems myself, along 
with a fair sized population of those in the Astronomy Hobby Community.

This particular issue is brought up with regularity in that hobby and 
its "Lists".

I, along with others that keep these for portable use, swap the 
batteries in and out of our Jump Start Packs that a lot of folks own if 
for no other reason than to be able to jump start one of their vehicles.

This swapping batteries around allows us/me to run a trickle/float 
charge on them to maintain them.

Gel Cells come in more than one "flavor".  There are the "less" 
expensive construction versions, and then there are the "more" expensive 
construction versions.

Poking around the "Web" I discovered that the ones that are used for 
"good" Solar Energy Systems, meaning - "Worth Owning" - vs. "Marketed 
Junk" - resulted in discovering the differences in the construction 
versions.

The Gel Cells that last the longest and provide the best service are of 
the "Glass Mat" construction.

This also means a higher acquisition cost.  So depending on one's needs, 
one has to determine what they are willing to lay out for acquisition.

These used by Security Services, and for that matter, Telco outfits such 
as Verizon that have pretty well forced their customers off copper and 
on to their Fiber systems, use the "lower" investment Gel Cells.

I know that this issue exists with regard to my "gee whiz" fiber phone 
line.  Therefore, I obtained an exact model number Gel Cell, and about 
every quarter, I swap out the one they installed with the identical one 
to cycle them and ensure that I will always have "one" functional.  The 
main reason I did this is to ensure that even if the power were to go 
out, which is why these fiber systems have a battery, I will have twice 
the time-frame available to keep the phone line active than what "they" 
say the battery is "supposed" to keep the line functional.

IOW, there really isn't anything that can be done to "restore" those 
that have simply sat w/o attention.

It really doesn't pay to simply pick up "pulls" unless you have a way to 
cycle them through a trickle/float charge method.  The result is what 
you have discovered from their sitting and waiting for use.

I do keep a "spare" one for my jump start pack in terms of equivalent 
ratings, yet that one is of the Glass Mat construction.  This jump pack 
is always plugged into the wall, yet has lasted for over 5 years.

The previous jump pack wasn't treated this way, and it didn't last more 
than three years.  I learned the hard way.

Regards,
Bob - N0DGN

On 1/21/2015 2:57 PM, John via Boatanchors wrote:
> Greetings,
>   
> Several years ago, I bought a case of gell cells at a hamfest.   They  were
> rated at 12V, 7A.   They were supposedly "recent pulls"  having full
> capacity. Today I needed one as a replacement in a UPS unit and  found that only
> one was at full terminal voltage and would work in the UPS.  Several others
> were at 6V and the remainder essentially dead.
>   
> Does anyone know of a safe way to restore these batteries or should I take
> them to the recycle place?
>   
> Thanks and 73,
>   
>   John,  W4AWM

-- 
Bob - N0DGN