DEKA Gel electrolyte - how to charge

[bluejeep]

Installed a DEKA gel electrolyte (not AGM) in the truck. Supposed to supply 13.8 V charging voltage. Higher voltages run the risk or overcharging, venting, shortening the life.

My alternator output at idle is 14.5V, at 2000 rpm is 14.7V. Internal regulator.

How do I 'dumb down' my alternator output? Or is there another fix ?

 

[wrcsixeight]

The high voltages are the reason that Gel batteries are not good for vehicular use.

If you were able to lower the alternator's voltage, recharging times would suffer.

Are you using this as an auxiliary battery or a starting battery?

Gel batteries excel in very deep discharge situations where they can be brought back to full with the correct charger.

I would not go through the effort required to safely charge the Gel in a vehicle. I'd get an AGM. Or just use the gel till it died, then get an AGM.

 

[mhiscox]

The high voltages are the reason that Gel batteries are not good for vehicular use. . . . Gel batteries excel in very deep discharge situations where they can be brought back to full with the correct charger.

Yep, gels aren't good for the chassis batteries, but are fine for the house system if there's a separate charger or inverter/charger. If you can find a use for your gel cell as spare battery for around the house or anywhere else that can be charged from 120 VAC, a charger that can do accurate gel cell charging can be had for $50.

 

[dzzz]

If this is a second house battery, an older inexpensive "battery protector" might drop about half a volt.

 

[dwh]

Most gels can handle up to 14.1 max, not 13.8. They need to get up to at least 13.8 for a full charge, but not over 14.1. Touchy things.

x2 on what everyone else said - automotive charging systems are bad for gels.

You could jack around replacing the alternator with an externally regulated unit and then use an adjustable regulator - but it'd be a whole lot easier to just use an AGM battery.