Valve-Regulated Lead-Acid (VRLA) - East Penn Manufacturing

1 Valve-Regulated Lead-Acid ( vrla ):Gelled Electrolyte (Gel) and Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) BatteriesEAST PENN Expertise and American WorkmanshipI:INTRODUCTION TO VRLAnHow it WorksnDifference Between vrla and FloodednIdeal ApplicationsII:AGM & GEL BATTERIESnAGM BatteriesnGel BatteriesnSimilarities Between Gel & AGMnDifferences Between Gel & AGMnGel & AGM Battery Design AdvantagesIII: EAST PENN S vrla BATTERY DESIGNnEast Penn s vrla Features and BenefitsnEast Penn s Quality Assurance ChecksIV: GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT vrla BATTERIESV:GLOSSARY OF TERMSI. INTRODUCTION TO VRLAV alve- regulated Lead-Acid or vrla , including Gel and AGM(Absorbed Glass Mat) battery designs, can be substituted invirtually any flooded Lead-Acid battery application (in conjunc-tion with well- regulated charging).

2 Their unique features andbenefits deliver an ideal solution for many applications wheretraditional flooded batteries would not deliver the best almost three decades, East Penn has been manufactur-ing Valve-Regulated batteries using tried and true technologybacked by more than 65 years experience. East Penn pro-duces a complete line of Gel, AGM, and conventionalflooded products for hundreds of applications. This diverseproduct offering enables East Penn to be objective as to theadvantages of each type of battery. East Penn s vrla (Geland AGM) products have the reputation of being the highestquality vrla batteries it worksA vrla battery utilizes a one-way, pressure-relief valve system to achieve a recombinant technology.

3 This meansthat the oxygen normally produced on the positive plate isabsorbed by the negative plate. This suppresses the productionof hydrogen at the negative plate. Water (H2O) is producedinstead, retaining the moisture within the battery. It neverneeds watering, and should never be openedas this wouldexpose the battery to excess oxygen from the air. In addition todamaging the battery, opening it also voids the difference between vrla and traditionalflooded batteriesFlooded electrolyte batteries do not have special one-way, pressure-relief valves , as they do not work on the recombi-nation principle. Instead, flooded designs utilize a vent toallow gas to escape.

4 They contain liquid electrolyte that canspill and cause corrosion if tipped or punctured. Theyshould not be used near sensitive electronic can only be installed upright. Flooded batteries losecapacity and become permanently damaged if:nLeft in a discharged condition for any length of time (due to sulfation). This is especially true of designs thatrequire water over-discharged (due to active material shed-ding). This is especially true of automotive starting types. Ideal applications for vrla batteriesDeep Cycle, Deep Discharge ApplicationsnMarine TrollingnElectronicsnSailboatsnElectric VehiclesnWheelchairs/ScootersnGolf CarsnPortable PowernFloor ScrubbersnPersonnel CarriersnRenewable EnergynVillage Power(Solar, Wind)nMarine & RV nCommercial DeepHouse PowerCycle ApplicationsStandby and Emergency Backup ApplicationsnUPS (UninterruptednCable TVPower Systems)nEmergency LightingnComputer BackupnRenewable Energy nFrequency Regulation(Solar, Wind)

5 NTelephone SwitchingOther ApplicationsnRace or HighnOn-Highway TruckingPerformance CarsnOff-Road VehiclesnWet EnvironmentsnMarine & RV StartingnDiesel StartingnCars and Light TrucksnVehicles withwith AccessoriesStart-Stop Systems2II. AGM & GEL BATTERIESVRLA technology encompasses both gelled electrolyte or gel batteries and absorbed glass mat or AGM batteries. Both typesare regulated by special one-way, pressure-relief valves andhave significant advantages over flooded Lead-Acid (Absorbed Glass Mat) batteriesThe electrolyte in AGM batteries is completely absorbed inseparators consisting of matted glass fibers. This causes themto be spillproof, meaning they don t leak acid like a floodeddesign if tipped on their side.

6 The glass mats in AGM batteriesare wrapped around the positive plate, which helps preventdamage from vibration and extend cycling. The battery sgroups are packed tightly in the case partitions also protect-ing its power producing components. AGM battery designscan have over twice the cycle life of a conventional floodedproduct in the right or Gelled Electrolyte batteriesThe electrolyte in a Gel battery is permanently locked in ahighly viscous gelled state instead of the traditional liquidform. Because there is no liquid-type electrolyte, it will not leak out of the battery if tipped on its side. The thick, gelledelectrolyte and tightly packed groups also protect the battery spower producing components.

7 Gel battery designs have a superior deep discharge resiliency and can deliver overtwo to three times the cycle life of an AGM product in theright applications. Similarities between Gel and AGM vrla technology nBatteries utilize special one-way, pressure-relief valvesand must never be no electrolyte maintenance unlike deep cycleflooded batteries that require frequent checking andadjustment of electrolyte a recombination reaction to prevent the escape ofhydrogen and oxygen gases normally lost in a floodedlead- acid battery (particularly in deep cycle applications).nSpillproof design enables installation in virtually anyposition (upside-down installation is not recommended).

8 NHas a higher tolerance against damage from deep discharge. These batteries have optimized amounts ofelectrolyte (which is also referred to as acid -starved ) sothat they use the power in the acid before they use thepower in the plates. This minimizes the destructive natureof ultra-deep discharges. Ultra-deep discharging is whatcauses plate shedding, which can destroy a difference between Gel and AGM battery performanceA Gel battery is better suited for super-deep discharge appli-cations, which means it can withstand deeper dischargeswithout damaging the battery s performance. However, due tothe physical properties of the gelled electrolyte, Gel batterypower declines faster than an AGM battery as the temperaturedrops below 32 F (0 C).

9 AGM batteries excel for high current,high power applications and in extremely cold batteries deliver a better dual purpose solution for acombination of starting and accessory of GEL and AGM battery designsKEY BATTERY BENEFITSGELAGMP remium maintenance-free designYesYesAir transportableYes Yes(most sizes) (many sizes)Spillproof construction,won t leak if turned sidewaysYesYesMinimizes terminal corrosionYesYesSuperior deep cycle life and resiliency YesYesto deep discharge damage(Best)(Good)Operates at severe angle or on side(won t leak or spill)YesYesLow to no gassingYesYesIdeal for use around sensitive YesYeselectronic equipmentExtended shelf life, YesYeslow self-discharge rateEnhanced recharging efficiencyYesYesResistance to vibrationYesYesDelivers the best combination starting, YesYescycling, and deep cycle service(Good) (Best)Operation in cold temperaturesYes Yes(Good)(Best)Cold engine crankingLowYesIII.

10 EAST PENN S AGM & GEL vrla BATTERY DESIGNF eatures and benefits that make our vrla batteries uniqueEast Penn ExpertiseEast Penn builds vrla batteries to the highest manu facturing process features improved controlsusing state-of-the-art computers and the latest manufacturingtechnology and equipment. vrla batteries produced by EastPenn consistently meet the highest quality performance andlife , Pressure-Relief ValvesA critical feature of any vrla battery is the quality of the seal-ing valve. Not only must the valve safely release excessivepressure and gas, but it must also keep the cell from beingcontaminated by the atmosphere. Oxygen contamination willdischarge and eventually ruin a vrla battery.