Battery Chargers and Gel Batteries

[rafapguz]

Hi

I am looking to upgrade my battery bank to gel batteries group 27 or 31. As I've been reading on the net, if I were to change the batteries from water to gel I may have to change the battery charger as well.

Has anybody done this upgrade? If so, is it worth the expense, and what chargers would be recommended?

Thanks

[mitiempo]

It depends what charger you currently have but most modern chargers (Iota, Zantrex etc) have settings for gel and agm batteries. On my Xantrex Truecharge the adjustment is behind the screw- on plate that covers the connections so that it can't be bumped to the wrong setting by mistake.
Brian

[Maine Sail]

The Iota chargers are an excellent value and are quite well built. They are a better value because they are mostly sold through "off the grid" solar places. Even though I currently have a Xantrex I would not replace it with one and would instead buy an Iota. The 30 amp charger is about $127.00, the 45 amp unit $142.00 and the 55 amp is $167.00. Well built and reasonably priced.


Iota Chargers (LINK)