Gel battery vs Marine Battery vs AGM vs Golf Cart

[cableguy3443]

Im curious if anyone has used gel batterys on their boat for the house? How do they compare against Marine batterys in the house? I have 2 175 min @ 25a runtime gel batterys and was curious if these would be better then Marine deep cycle batterys or are there problems to having these hooked to my system. I know I couldn't charge these with the alternator as they need a slow charge but if they will get me through a weekend then that would be perfect.

I understand AGM batterys are similiar but what is the advantage to golf cart batterys?

The gel cells say:
No deep discharge cycling required to obtain maximum runtime ratings

Float Charging Voltage (VDC): 13.5-13.8​

AC Ripple Charger: 0.5% RMS or 1.5% of float charge voltage recommended for best results. Maximum allowed = 4% P-P



Would this be suffiecnt to charge with the alternator of the boat? It only puts out 12-14 VDC but will it charge it to fast?

 

[cableguy3443]

Was the technical info a bit much? I was hoping someone might be able to tell me if charging them with a alternator would be fine. Any thoughts?

 

[thebig4-0]

Golf cart batteries are generally 6Vdc batteries, and are used in a series-parallel configuration. By using 6V batteries in such a way, you reduce sulfating on the batteries. This will create a longer battery life, and adds power capacity. The problem, as I see it, is that the golf cart batteries would be more prone to leaking than most marine batteries, and I would be concerned about having battery acid in the bilge. I have four very expensive and immensely efficient golf cart batteries in my garage that were used for a solar power application I installed for a client of mine, and I am afraid to use them on my 400 EC because I have had many a pair of jeans ruined over leaky golf cart batteries.

That's my two cents worth... Hope it helped. There's no substitute for using the proper battery for any certain application...

 

[expressboy]

Cableguy,

For a lower INITIAL cost and bang for the buck golf cart batteries are a great battery to use, the comments by capt George are a little off base... golf carts don't leak any more than any other battery ( wet cell that is )... they are built to be abused day in and out. I have successfully used Trojan t-105 and L-16 batteries on all my boats for the last 20 years... my last trawler had a total of 8 t-105's. Regarding the spilled acid??? proper battery boxes and installation would stop all issues,that being said I have NEVER had a acid spill in any of my boats.
AGM batteries are a great battery also... but the front end cost scares off a lot of captain's....they can really be hammered with a load but are a bit charge sensitive.
Most issues I have heard about charging AGM's are related to the shore power charger ... not the boat's alternator. Get a copy of Nigel Calders book "Complete Boat owners guide to Electrical".. it's expensive but worth every penny
Good Luck
EXPRESSBOY

 

[Bodkin Creek George]

The most important thing is whether or not your on board battery charger can recharge the type of battery you have. I'm guessing that unless you replaced your 1986 charger with a newer one that you do not have the ability to properly charge an AGM or Gel Battery.
George