Gel batteries are considered by many to be one of the best advances in the automotive industry. However, in its "pure" form, this device is almost never used, because there are better options.
First, you need to understand the terminology: helium is a chemical element, a gas that has nothing to do with the production of batteries. We are talking about a gel - a semi-liquid, jelly-like substance that is used as an electrolyte.
Features of gel batteries
The creators of this type of battery were guided by the fact that the internal reactions in the battery environment were balanced. This was partly successful; the reactions, as well as in lead-acid batteries, are reversible, but contact with the external environment is not required for them; oxygen is not absorbed, hydrogen is not released. The role of the electrolyte can be the same sulfuric acid with a thickener (this can be, for example, SiO2). Gas evolution takes place inside the pores of the gel. In order to eliminate the appearance of hydrogen, calcium is added to the electrode material.
The main advantage of gel batteries is the complete absence of the need for maintenance of products, except for charge, discharge. Gel batteries have a very high resistance to deep discharge - for them this is a working, standard situation. However, "pure" gel batteries have not received recognition from motorists due to a sharp drop in the starting current at negative temperatures. Therefore, manufacturers have tried to find a compromise between conventional batteries and gel batteries. As a result, an AGM battery appeared on the shelves (it is sometimes called a gel battery, although this is not entirely true).
Battery Absorptive Glass Mat (AGM)
These products use liquid acid, but the electrolyte is retained in the separator pores made of ultra-fine fiberglass. This design allows not only to achieve the tightness of the case, but also to preserve the battery's performance in the event of a breakdown. AGM batteries are "indifferent" to sudden changes in temperature, vibration, deep discharge (the voltage will still remain at the level of 10, 5V); can work both horizontally and vertically. The absence of electrolyte vapors allows you to place, store the battery in the car or at home. But gel batteries have a minus: they are afraid of overcharging.
Today manufacturers produce two types of AGM batteries: spiral and flat electrodes. The first option has higher current-transfer characteristics and lower internal resistance. The best parameters are achieved due to the increased area of the plates with the same dimensions. In terms of its performance, the gel battery is superior to the lead acid "colleague"; however, the main obstacle to the diffusion of innovation is its high cost.
