Gel Batteries

[dsen]

Greetings,

I have heard gel batteries are bad for outboards. Have been blowing power packs 3 with 2 of them in last 2 years. Trying to figure out what could be popping them.

Thanks
Darrell

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Gel Batteries

There are times when the ignition switch develops a ever so slight short which ends up applying a small amount of voltage to the Black/Yellow wire that leads to the powerpack (Kill circuit). THis will in time will destroy the powerpack.

Revove the Black/Yellow wire from the powerpack and connect a volt meter between that wire on the engine's wiring harness side and a powerhead ground, set so that it will register even the smallest amount of voltage if present. Engine NOT running... turn the key to the RUN position (NOT START)... the slightest registering of voltage indicates that the ignition switch is faulty.

Proving the switch faulty involves simply removing the Black/Yellow wire from the "M" terminal of the switch (meter still connected at engine)... meter movement drops to zero volts = bad switch.

 

[KD4UPL]

Re: Gel Batteries

I don't think it's so much that the gel batteries are bad for the outboard. It's more that the outboard charging system may be bad for the batteries. Gels need certain voltage regulation that a lot of outboard charging systems don't provide.
This doesn't really address your problem but I would look elsewhere than the battery for the cause.

 

[Outsider]

Re: Gel Batteries

If you're talking real 'gel' batteries with an outboard, you'll probably destroy them before their time. They require exacting charging regimens and are best used as true 'house' units. 'AGM' batteries are a different animal, and do fine as they are charged same as lead-acid ...