Victron Energy GEL Solar 12 V 220 Ah Accumulator

VRLA stands for Valve Regulated Lead Acid, which means that the batteries are sealed. Gas will escape through the safety valves only in case of overcharging or cell failure. VRLA batteries are maintenance free for life.

• Sealed (VRLA) AGM Batteries

AGM stands for Absorbent Glass Mat. In these batteries the electrolyte is absorbed into a glass-fibre mat between the plates by capillary action. AGM batteries are more suitable for short-time delivery of very high currents (engine starting) than gel batteries.

• Sealed (VRLA) Gel Batteries

Here the electrolyte is immobilized as gel. Gel batteries in general have a longer service life and better cycle capacity than AGM batteries.

• Low Self-Discharge

Because of the use of lead calcium grids and high purity materials, Victron VRLA batteries can be stored during long periods of time without recharge. The rate of self-discharge is less than 2 % per month at 20 °C. The self discharge doubles for every increase in temperature by 10 °C. Victron VRLA batteries can therefore be stored for up to a year without recharging, if kept under cool conditions.

• Exceptional Deep Discharge Recovery

Victron VRLA batteries have exceptional discharge recovery, even after deep or prolonged discharge. Nevertheless repeatedly deep and prolonged discharge has a very negative effect on the service life of all lead acid batteries, Victron batteries are no exception.

• Battery Discharging Characteristics

The rated capacity of Victron AGM and Gel Deep Cycle batteries refers to 20 h discharge, in other words: a discharge current of 0,05 C. The rated capacity of Victron Tubular Plate Long Life batteries refers to 10 h discharge. The effective capacity decreases with increasing discharge current. AGM deep cycle batteries have excellent high current performance and are therefore recommended for high current applications such as engine starting. Due to their construction, Gel batteries have a lower effective capacity at high discharge currents. On the other hand, Gel batteries have a longer service life, both under float and cycling conditions.

• Battery charging in case of cycle use: the 3-step charge curve

The most common charge curve used to charge VRLA batteries in case of cyclic use is the 3-step charge curve, whereby a constant current phase (the bulk phase) is followed by two constant voltage phases (absorption and float).During the absorption phase the charge voltage is kept at a relatively high level in order to fully recharge the battery within reasonable time. The third and last phase is the float phase: the voltage is lowered to standby level, sufficient to compensate for self-discharge.