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Gel type batteries - educate me

Frame Maker

Frame Maker

New member
Joined
May 8, 2011
Location
Livermore
Moto(s)
sportbikes, dirtbikes, and some odd bikes that I've built myself.
Name
Julian
I'm admittedly a bit old fashioned when it comes to batteries and have been using conventional lead/acid batteries forever. I recently purchased a "gel cell" type battery and I'm a bit confused... I understand that the electrolyte is supposed to be absorbed into fiberglass matte, but I expected to see some excess electrolyte sloshing around within the cells as I'd see in a normal L/A battery. But this battery looks (almost) dry inside the cell cavities. I also see "white substance" around the cell plates. In a normal L/A battery this would be bad corrosion, but perhaps I'm just seeing the fiberglass matte material? I'm so confused. The battery is new, but looks old/dry if it were a conventional type battery. Is this normal for a gel type battery?

picture is generic of what I purchased

s-l1600 by andbike, on Flickr
 
I just spoke with a co-worker who has much more experience repairing motorcycles (and cars) than I do and he said what I'm seeing is normal for this type of battery. Well, okay then.
 
What you describe is an AGM battery (Absorbed Glass Matt) not a gel battery, you get both types and they are different.

But your buddy is right, no excess liquid sloshing about, thats the whole benefit of AGM, nothing to spill.
 
I was interested to discover this weekend that AGM is OEM spec for my "new" '09 bike. Not *that* new.
 
That's fine. I recommend buying the best you can afford. The cheap ones seldom last very long.
 
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