Guide to VRLA Batteries

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Valve-Regulated Lead-Acid (VRLA):

Gelled Electrolyte (Gel) and Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) Batteries

EAST PENN Expertise and American Workmanship

I: INTRODUCTION TO VRLA

How it Works

Difference Between VRLA and Flooded

Ideal Applications

II: AGM & GEL BATTERIES

AGM Batteries

Gel Batteries

Similarities Between Gel & AGM

Differences Between Gel & AGM

Gel & AGM Battery Design Advantages

III: EAST PENN’S VRLA

BATTERY DESIGN

East Penn’s VRLA Features

and Benefits

East Penn’s Quality Assurance Checks

IV: GENERAL QUESTIONS

ABOUT VRLA BATTERIES

V: GLOSSARY OF TERMS

I. INTRODUCTION TO VRLA

Valve-Regulated Lead-Acid or VRLA, including Gel and AGM

(Absorbed Glass Mat) battery designs, can be substituted in

virtually any flooded lead-acid battery application (in conjunc-

tion with well-regulated charging). Their unique features and

benefits deliver an ideal solution for many applications where

traditional flooded batteries would not deliver the best results.

For almost three decades, East Penn has been manufactur-

ing valve-regulated batteries using tried and true technology

backed by more than 65 years experience. East Penn pro-

duces a complete line of Gel, AGM, and conventional

flooded products for hundreds of applications. This diverse

product offering enables East Penn to be objective as to the

advantages of each type of battery. East Penn’s VRLA (Gel

and AGM) products have the reputation of being the highest

quality VRLA batteries available.

How it works

A VRLA battery utilizes a one-way, pressure-relief valve

system to achieve a “recombinant” technology. This means

that the oxygen normally produced on the positive plate is

absorbed by the negative plate. This suppresses the production

of hydrogen at the negative plate. Water (H

O) is produced

instead, retaining the moisture within the battery. It never

needs watering, and should never be opened as this would

expose the battery to excess oxygen from the air. In addition to

damaging the battery, opening it also voids the warranty.

The difference between VRLA and traditional

flooded batteries

Flooded electrolyte batteries do not have special one-way,

pressure-relief valves, as they do not work on the recombi-

nation principle. Instead, flooded designs utilize a vent to

allow gas to escape. They contain liquid electrolyte that can

spill and cause corrosion if tipped or punctured. They

should not be used near sensitive electronic equipment.

They can only be installed “upright.” Flooded batteries lose

capacity and become permanently damaged if:

n Left in a discharged condition for any length of time

(due to sulfation). This is especially true of designs that

require water maintenance.

Continually over-discharged (due to active material shed-

ding). This is especially true of automotive starting types.

Ideal applications for VRLA batteries

Deep Cycle, Deep Discharge Applications

Marine Trolling

Electronics

Sailboats

Electric Vehicles

Wheelchairs/Scooters

Golf Cars

Portable Power

Floor Scrubbers

Personnel Carriers

Renewable Energy

Village Power

(Solar, Wind)

Marine & RV

Commercial Deep

House Power Cycle Applications

Standby and Emergency Backup Applications

UPS (Uninterrupted

Cable TV

Power Systems)

Emergency Lighting

Computer Backup

Renewable Energy

Frequency Regulation

(Solar, Wind)

Telephone Switching

Other Applications

Race or High

On-Highway Trucking

Performance Cars

Off-Road Vehicles

Wet Environments

Marine & RV Starting

Diesel Starting

Cars and Light Trucks

Vehicles with

with Accessories

Start-Stop Systems

Summary of content (8 pages)

PAGE 1
Valve-Regulated Lead-Acid (VRLA): Gelled Electrolyte (Gel) and Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) Batteries EAST PENN Expertise and American Workmanship I: INTRODUCTION TO VRLA n n n II: How it Works Difference Between VRLA and Flooded Ideal Applications AGM & GEL BATTERIES n n n n n AGM Batteries Gel Batteries Similarities Between Gel & AGM Differences Between Gel & AGM Gel & AGM Battery Design Advantages III: EAST PENN’S VRLA BATTERY DESIGN n n East Penn’s VRLA Features and Benefits East Penn’s Quality Assu
PAGE 2
Advantages of GEL and AGM battery designs II. AGM & GEL BATTERIES VRLA technology encompasses both gelled electrolyte or gel batteries and absorbed glass mat or AGM batteries. Both types are regulated by special one-way, pressure-relief valves and have significant advantages over flooded lead-acid products.
PAGE 3
Exclusive Gel Formula & Computerized Mixing of each element, similar to the wrap in an industrial battery. The result is longer service life. Proper gel mixing is critical to life and performance. Our state-of-the-art gel battery manufacturing facility is one of the finest in the world with a proprietary computerized gel mixing operation. Our exclusive formula is mixed using computer control in every stage of the process.
PAGE 4
Proprietary Case, Cover, and One-Way, Pressure-Relief Valve humidity to create the optimal environment to facilitate the curing process. n Cast-On-Strap and Assembly Audits. Monitors lead temperatures, line speed, alloy sampling, weld quality, terminal burn depth, and leak testing all to ensure the final assembled product meets rigid specifications and standards providing a solid construction to support premium VRLA battery products.
PAGE 5
affected area with water immediately and consult a physician if splashed in the eyes. Consult MSDS for additional precautions and first aid measures. 2. Prohibit smoking and open flames, and avoid arcing in the immediate vicinity of the battery. 3. Do not wear metallic objects, such as jewelry, while working on batteries. Do not store un-insulated tools in pockets or tool belt while working in vicinity of battery. 4. Keep the top of the battery dry and clear of all tools and other foreign objects. 5.
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n Avoid ultra-deep discharges. The definition of ultra-deep discharge may vary with application and battery type. n Don’t leave a battery at a low stage of charge for an extended length of time. Charge a discharged battery as soon as possible. n Don’t cycle a battery at a low state of charge without regularly recharging fully. Use the highest initial charging current available (up to 30% of the 20-hour capacity per hour) while staying within the proper temperature-compensated voltage range.
PAGE 7
and plates within a battery are all at full charge and that the electrolyte is uniform and free of stratification. This is normally done by charging the battery under controlled conditions (charge current, time and upper voltage limits are usually specified). electrons. A closed circuit is a complete path. An open circuit has a broken, or disconnected, path. CIRCUIT (Series) — A circuit that has only one path for the flow of current.
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under the same discharge conditions. If the battery is fully charged the “State of Charge” is said to be 100%. depending on the active material they hold. POSITIVE — Designating, or pertaining to, a kind of electrical potential; opposite of negative. A point or terminal on a battery having higher relative electrical potential. The positive battery terminal is the point to which electrons flow during discharge. PRIMARY BATTERY — A battery that can store and deliver electrical energy but cannot be recharged.