Gel Cell Battery question...

[hohmanr]

I have a pair of twin Gel Battery's for starting and found myself out of cranking power after a weeks vacation on the boat where I thought I had shut those batterys off...OOps...

stranger yet I cannot find an onboard battery charger for recharging these via the genset...Although I ran my generator for an hour, there wasn't any charge going to the gel battery's...

Fustrating...yes..so I want to convert back to a traditional lead acid but I understand I may need to spend $400 bucks per engine to replace the regulator between the alternator and the batterys...Is this true..??

Thanks...

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Gel Cell Battery question...

A little help with the boat and engine manufacturers would be in order here as we have no clue what you are talking about.

 

[hohmanr]

Re: Gel Cell Battery question...

It's a 1996 31 Tiara with twin Crusaders...sorry.....

 

[wire2]

Re: Gel Cell Battery question...

Chances are, there is no provision to charge batteries from the genset. It will likely have a low power charging circuit for its own battery but otherwise provide only 120 volts for lighting, A/C, stove, water heater, etc.

Unless the gel cells are no good, might as well leave them. Lead acid batteries will go dead also if they're not being charged between use.

I see no reason you need to spend $400 for "regulators". 1 dual output or 2 single output battery chargers will get your starting batteries back to full from the genset.

Are there any other batteries on board for accessories?

 

[drewpster]

Re: Gel Cell Battery question...

Will a standard wet cell charger be ok to charge gel cell batteries? Are standard regulators used for gelly batteries?

 

[wire2]

Re: Gel Cell Battery question...

A gell cell is still a lead-acid battery, only the liquid acid has been replaced by spill resistant gel.
So yes, the same charge rates, etc. can be used.