Li-Ion or gel batteries.. help please

Cyclamen

Apologies first this isn't a car question but it is about my 'wheels'.. I am grasping at straws and hoping someone can help me.

I use an electric wheelchair and I think it's time for new batteries, simple enough to buy online and change.. but I don't know which type are best. I've had this chair a while and changed batterries before.

The websites i checked said gel batteries were better than Li-ion, but are they?

Do i need to replace the charger each time? I thought these lasted forever but am not so sure now... chair and charger is 4 yrs old.

These batteries seem to have died far sooner than others.. they show as very little power when outside then go up to full power in a warmer shop.. is the power level likely to change this much with temperature?

Please can anyone explain the difference between two types of battery and suggest which i should buy?

thanks for reading

Strider590

"Gel" refers to SLA (sealed lead acid). Basically very little difference to a car battery. For the purpose you use them for, they have to be "deep cycle" batteries, which increases the cost considerably over a typical SLA's, which is designed mostly for backup purposes (alarms etc).

An SLA charges like a car battery, very slowly.

A Li-Ion charges very quickly, they have a high power density (light weight, more power), but will cost an absolute fortune. To put this in perspective, there are Li-Ion powertool batteries that have the same capacity as a small car battery.

You need a special charger for Li-Ion batteries, these are extremely sensitive and can be turned into a fire ball if attempts are made to use the wrong charger type, if they over heat, or if they experience a short circuit.

What this means is that a Li-Ion will have better performance, will last about as long (2-3 years), but will cost more to buy and charge (unless you have the correct charger already).

Temperature variations will occur, but the main reason your seeing this effect is that outside your probably using more power than indoors. Scooting a long playing pedestrian 10 pin, uses more power than crawling around slowly in a shop.

Cyclamen

Thank you strider

I have also spent ages reading this morning and found this site.. http://www.mobilitypitstop.com/battery-guide/

seems i have my words all mixed up... Sealed lead acid batteries are the same as AGM battery, then there are gel batteries..the LI-ion ones dont seem to be for my chair..

I think i'm going for gel after reading the comparison on that sheet so nee t find some more money as they are pricier.

so blooming confusing.. but i think we are getting there ..now just to find the best price

greyteam1959

Not an area that I know anything about to be honest but can you not get some sort of financial assistance from somewhere for replacing the batteries ???
Motability ??

Strider590

^^ By definition, a gel cell is an SLA.

If it we're me, I'd probably go with a deep cycle SLA and buy two of them so i'd always have a backup.

http://www.batterymasters.co.uk/Catalog-Mobility-Wheelchair-Batteries_152.aspx

Cyclamen

mervyn11 wrote: »

Not an area that I know anything about to be honest but can you not get some sort of financial assistance from somewhere for replacing the batteries ???
Motability ??

Hi there .. i get DLA mobility allowance which I use to buy my 'wheels', insurance, taxi's, repairs and replacements etc.. If you don't use the money for a car (no good to me not safe enough to drive so i stopped) you can spend it on other mobility aids.. so Yes i have financial help .. but thank you

^^ By definition, a gel cell is an SLA.

If it we're me, I'd probably go with a deep cycle SLA and buy two of them so i'd always have a backup.

oh heck this is confusing

To be honest when working my batteries last far longer than I do (limited to sitting up time) so don't really need spares as can charge whilst i rest.

I need two batteries anyway as they are fitted in pairs.

I've just discovered the new chargers are almost 2kg lighter than my one so that will make suitcase easier for husband to wheel as this is all in prep for a few days away together. The next problem is my userguide says a 3amp charger but the website says 4amp for my battery size.

Getting far too muddling now going to phone them on monday and get advice.

It's times like this when i understand why people use there DLA money to hire a chair that is serviced by motability, (but i use my money to get a range of different wheels.. scooter to walk dog and powerchai for independance and push chair for emergencys)

Thank you to both of you.. your time is appreciated

Strider590

Yeah, unfortunately stuff like this is placed behind a veil of confusing BS (just like the entire Automotive industry). Designed to make people take the "easy option".

nobbysn*ts

Both Gel and AGM are sealed lead acid batteries. Gel has an acid gel between the battery plates, AGM is absorbed glass mat which is a glass mat designed to wick the battery electrolyte between the battery plates. Neither spill if you break the battery case. Good article on the differences here. http://www.batterystuff.com/kb/articles/battery-articles/gel-vs-agm.html

Cyclamen

Strider590 wrote: »

Yeah, unfortunately stuff like this is placed behind a veil of confusing BS (just like the entire Automotive industry). Designed to make people take the "easy option".

giggle.. yes that sums it up nicely ;-)

thanks nobby off to read

Cyclamen

Right I've done it .. two batteries and a charger ordered.. https://www.mobilitypitstop.com/55/835/22ah-upg-sla-batteries-and-charger-package/

got sla batteries in the end as they were on offer and apart from daily use on a weeks holiday the chair only goes out once or twice a week for the rest of the year so the extra expense of GEL seemed too much

Chap on the phone answered lots of questions and actually suggested the cheaper option.

So huge sigh of relief here .. it's all sorted

Thank you so much to everyone who commented.. much appreciated

Strider590

Cyclamen wrote: »

Right I've done it .. two batteries and a charger ordered.. https://www.mobilitypitstop.com/55/835/22ah-upg-sla-batteries-and-charger-package/

got sla batteries in the end as they were on offer and apart from daily use on a weeks holiday the chair only goes out once or twice a week for the rest of the year so the extra expense of GEL seemed too much

Chap on the phone answered lots of questions and actually suggested the cheaper option.

So huge sigh of relief here .. it's all sorted

Thank you so much to everyone who commented.. much appreciated

Good news I guess!
Just one word of advice, keep the batteries topped up when not in use. Simply forgetting to put them on charge after one race around town, will reduce their life quite considerably.