Optima, Gel or AGM, Advertised as both, which is it?

Here's my shot: 300 cycles. 80% DOD depth of discharge, 20% remaining. Immediate and full recharge after discharge. What is the remaining 20 A/H capacity of a group 31 yellowtop after such an exercise? In other words, at what ampere hour capacity number would be expected as being "minimum" by OEM?

Sixty percent discharge, 40% remaining, same parameters?

Fully recharge the battery, then conduct a 20 A/H capacity test. Numbers?

OptimaJim wrote:
Hello, I noticed your conversation regarding our batteries and wanted to offer some assistance. Rich, we know a lot of folks confuse gel and AGM technologies, so we make sure if someone is searching on the internet for “Optima” and “gel” that they're still able to find our products. We never advertise Optima as having gel technology and as Chris indicated, we do specifically indicate on our site that Optima batteries are not gel batteries.

Our YellowTops and BlueTops (except the 34M) are all designed and warrantied for deep-cycle use, they all use 99.99% pure virgin lead (not recycled) and are found in a wide variety of consumer, commercial and military applications. Each manufacturer comes up with a combination for their batteries, that they believe will be of most benefit to their customers. Generally speaking, there is a trade-off between batteries of like sizes in terms of cranking amps and reserve capacity, where more can be had of one at the expense of the other.

As a result, comparing a single aspect of a battery's specifications does not always present a clear or accurate representation of the product. We encourage comparisons, but prefer that they accurately represent all products, using identical battery group sizes (we don't manufacture a Group 29 battery) and indicating cranking amps, reserve capacity, warranty terms and conditions and of course, price. In the case of tournament anglers and racers, we also encourage a weight comparison, as that is an important consideration for those folks. Even at that point, what won't show up in a spec sheet is how the battery performs after 10, 50 or even 100 cycles. This is often where there is the greatest difference between products.

The key to long battery life, regardless of brand or manufacturer, is proper voltage maintenance. Whenever any lead-acid battery is discharged below 12.4 volts and is left sitting in that state, sulfation begins to form, which diminishes capacity and lifespan. That makes a quality battery maintenance device an excellent investment for any vehicle that doesn't see regular use.

Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries
www.pinterest.com/optimabatteries

Good clarification. Point taken about making fair comparisons.

Can you tell us what the Optima procedure is for "recovery" of an Optima AGM if you ever did let it get sulfated somewhat, and what you call that procedure?

Thanks

THANK YOU JIM.. I am one of the people who has used both Gel and AGM batteries for years (Let's see about 42 of them give or take a year for Gels. A bit less for AGMs) so I know the difference...

Trying to point out the fact Optima is not GEL.. Does get tiring from time to time, having an expert do it ... Makes it easier on me.

And I fully agree with your tagging it with both keywords. Since folks who do no research keep making the same mistake.

What percent charge is 12.4V? What voltage does a 100% charged optima start at, without a surface charge after freshly recharging?

Hello, I noticed your conversation regarding our batteries and wanted to offer some assistance. Rich, we know a lot of folks confuse gel and AGM technologies, so we make sure if someone is searching on the internet for “Optima” and “gel” that they're still able to find our products. We never advertise Optima as having gel technology and as Chris indicated, we do specifically indicate on our site that Optima batteries are not gel batteries.

Our YellowTops and BlueTops (except the 34M) are all designed and warrantied for deep-cycle use, they all use 99.99% pure virgin lead (not recycled) and are found in a wide variety of consumer, commercial and military applications. Each manufacturer comes up with a combination for their batteries, that they believe will be of most benefit to their customers. Generally speaking, there is a trade-off between batteries of like sizes in terms of cranking amps and reserve capacity, where more can be had of one at the expense of the other.

As a result, comparing a single aspect of a battery's specifications does not always present a clear or accurate representation of the product. We encourage comparisons, but prefer that they accurately represent all products, using identical battery group sizes (we don't manufacture a Group 29 battery) and indicating cranking amps, reserve capacity, warranty terms and conditions and of course, price. In the case of tournament anglers and racers, we also encourage a weight comparison, as that is an important consideration for those folks. Even at that point, what won't show up in a spec sheet is how the battery performs after 10, 50 or even 100 cycles. This is often where there is the greatest difference between products.

The key to long battery life, regardless of brand or manufacturer, is proper voltage maintenance. Whenever any lead-acid battery is discharged below 12.4 volts and is left sitting in that state, sulfation begins to form, which diminishes capacity and lifespan. That makes a quality battery maintenance device an excellent investment for any vehicle that doesn't see regular use.

Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries
www.pinterest.com/optimabatteries

Good to see someone appreciates gelled humor ;)

Actually I have not cut open a Gello battery. Is there a better word to describe the consistancy?

Hmmm, oh yeah....

Gel

Optima

JellO?

RJsfishin wrote:
Ok, seems this really is a gell cell. So a gel cell is still a lead acid !

I wonder what their good for, except emergency standby ?

Standby and very deep cycling. Needs to charge slow due to gelled electrolyte. Sealed is good for salt water boats. Very low maintenance.

RJsfishin wrote:
Right, but OPtima sure likes to come up under gel batt search.
Is this a gel cell, or a sealed lead acid, or AGM ?

Wet cell is lead acid. AGM is lead acid. Gell is lead acid.

Wet cell has free liquid electrolyte. Caps are open to the air.

AGM has liquid electrolyte but it is all contained in a sponge like matting between the plates. Caps are sealed with a valve. So it is also a Valve Regulated Sealed Lead Acid battery.

Gell has a semi-solid electrolyte the consistancy of jello or pudding. Caps are also sealed with a valve. So Gell is also a Valve Regulated Sealed Lead Acid battery.

Some wet cells are considered sealed because there is no access but you better keep them upright to avoid a mess.

Optima is AGM only but is also designated VRLA similar to Gell.

Forget Battery Mart for info. Go to OEM webpage or batteryuniversity.com

I need my first 2 cups of coffee before posting in the morning, or searching.