A sealed lead-acid (SLA) battery with gel electrolyte should provide good quality service. However, no battery can last forever, and eventually the electro-chemistry will start to run down. Fortunately there are warning signs of an SLA battery aging. In some cases we may be able to do something about them. Although at other times these are signals that we need to replace the old battery with new.
What Makes SLA Sealed Lead Batteries Different
Basic lead-acid batteries, still common as starter batteries, have breather caps to relieve pressure when charging. This phenomenon also releases some moisture from the electrolyte, which is why we need to top them up with battery water. The latter can also leak out if we do not keep them upright.
SLA batteries, by contrast are in sealed containers. Their chemistry allows them to reabsorb their gases into their electrolyte, making top-up unnecessary, and we can place them on their sides. These innovations make SLA batteries virtually maintenance free, with extended operating lives.
How to Slow Down SLA Battery Aging
Our SLA lead batteries with gel electrolyte are healthiest when they discharge and recharge regularly, because this keeps their chemistry active. They should provide a longer battery life, and perform better around a temperature of 15°C (59°F) according to Power Sonic, which should retard SLA battery aging.
We recommend recharging idle batteries completely, as soon as they drop to 70% of their full charge. For if we neglect to do so, then the battery could eventually completely self-discharge and suffer permanent damage as a result. It is however very important to use a correctly-rated battery charger, with the ‘constant voltage’ option selected.
Solid, dependable construction makes it possible to store lead-acid batteries for up to two years, with terminals isolated. Try your best to maintain their storage temperature at around 15°C (59°F). Do remember to recharge, but not over-charge them regularly though. Then they should be ‘good to go’ the moment you need a safe battery you can trust.
More Information
Maintaining a Sealed Lead-Acid Battery
