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Selling Against Gel Technology. Optima AGM has a wider operating temperature range than Gel. High temperatures impact Gel’s life and performance more than AGM. Charging is significantly different between technologies. You cannot install Gel into under-hood applications.
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Selling Against Gel Technology • Optima AGM has a wider operating temperature range than Gel. • High temperatures impact Gel’s life and performance more than AGM. • Charging is significantly different between technologies. • You cannot install Gel into under-hood applications. • You cannot charge Gel with standard chargers. • Gel technology has poor power density when compared to Optima. • Gel performs poorly at aggressive discharge rates. • Gel does not have a significant cycling advantage against Optima. • Gel out-performs Flooded designs.
Selling Against Gel Technology • Charging and Operating Temperature Ranges: • Gel technology can tolerate temperature ranges of -20°C - +30°C (when fully charged. • Although +30°C is the high side of the temperature range, charge voltage must be within the proper range (temperature correction critical). • Optima’s advanced AGM technology is slightly better. • -40°C - +40°C (when fully charged). Optima (13.2 – 15.6) Recharging Gel by 0.7 volts above Recommended voltage reduces life By 60% Gel 13.2 – 14.1 Source: EPM technical manual (form 0139 3/04) and GEP technical manual
Selling Against Gel Technology • Gel’s higher resistance and flooded flat-plate technology suffers poor performance at high discharge rates. • Gel batteries have lower power density than Optima. Comparison: G34 vs G24 Source: EPM technical manual (form 0139 3/04)
Selling Against Gel Technology • Gel technologies claim to fame is cycle-life. • Having 3 X cycles compared to Flooded Gel has a clear advantage. • Gel is less advantaged against Optima. Source: EPM technical manual (form 0139 3/04)
Selling Against Flat-plate AGM technology • Flat-plate AGM is more resilient than Gel. • Suffers from similar design complications. • Flat-plate AGM can maximize cube volume but lack surface area. • “Spiral cell” designs have more plate surface yielding higher power density. • Flat-plate AGM doesn’t cycle as well as “Spiral cell” designs. • Still better than Flooded. • Lead-Calcium grids are disadvantaged. • Flat-plate designs do not hold up to vibration as well as Optima.
GAS PRESSURE Selling Against Flat-plate AGM Technology • Cylindrical cell design eliminates cell bulge. • Eliminates cell expansion. • Retains cell compression. • High vent valve pressures increase life and provide wide recharge voltage ranges. • Vent @ up to 8 PSI and reseal @ up to 4 PSI (Flat-plate vent @ 1 PSI) • High release pressure permits higher recharge voltages. • Use of boost chargers is allowed (15.6). • Flat-plate designs cannot tolerate voltage above 14.7 GAS PRESSURE
Selling Against Flat-plate AGM Technology • Charging and Operating Temperature Ranges: • Flat-plate AGM and Optima’s advanced AGM technology have similar ranges. • -40°C - +40°C (when fully charged) Optima (13.2 – 15.6) Flat-plate AGM 13.2 – 14.7 Source: EPM technical manual (form 0139 3/04) and GEP technical manual
Selling Against Flat-plate AGM Technology • Flat-plate claims to have more active material due to cube cell design. • Optima’s “Spiral Cell” has more plate surface area.
Selling Against Flat-plate AGM Technology • Higher density active-material withstands the eroding effects of cycling. • During cycling, Optima provides more energy throughout life. Flat-plate AGM Optima
Selling Against Flat-plate AGM Technology • Optima’s “spiral cell” technology has significantly higher compression than flat-plate. • Higher compression holds all internal components in-place. • Under typical automotive vibration testing (5 G, multi-axis) Optima technology lasts 15 X longer than flat-plate construction. Flat-Plate AGM
Selecting the Correct Application for Optima • Optima’s advanced AGM technology fits many applications but it is not always the best choice. • Examples where Optima isn’t the best solution: • Applications that require low current discharges for long periods of time. • Optima can be of value if cycle life is important. • Stationary Applications where flame-retardant poly is required. • Optima’s poly does not pass UL94 –V0 requirements. • Situations where the battery must sit discharged for extended periods of time. • Heavily sulfated batteries can be recovered but it is not recommended for general consumers. • Applications that require large strings of batteries. • Optima has proven successful in these applications. • Battery management systems that limit DOD and control charge current/voltage are critically important. • Hybrid, pure Electric vehicle applications fall within this category.