Wet Cell Battery Vs. Dry Cell BatteryBy Richard Asmus, eHow ContributorMany battery choices are available today for almost all applications. But the choices between wet cell and dry cell are limited. In most cases, portable devices do not have this option. The most common choices for whether to use a wet cell or a dry cell battery would be for a vehicle or for a system to back up equipment in case of a power failure.
Wet Cell Battery 1. Wet cell batteries, sometimes called flooded, are made from a glass or plastic container filled with sulfuric acid in which lead plates are submerged. They were the first rechargeable batteries, invented in 1859, but are still in common use today in automobiles, trucks, RVs, motorized wheelchairs, golf carts and emergency power backup systems in household and industrial applications. The main concern for wet cell batteries in all applications is leaking sulfuric acid, as it is a dangerous corrosive that can damage what it contacts and can burn human tissue.
Dry Cell Batteries 2. Although there are many types of dry cell batteries that do not contain liquid that can be spilled, the main competitors with wet cell batteries are gel cells and absorbent glass mat (AGM) batteries. The main difference is that the sulfuric acid is not in liquid from, and therefore leaking is much less of a hazard. The smaller types of dry cell batteries, such as alkaline or nickel-cadmium, usually cannot be manufactured in sizes or prices that could compete with the wet cells. So the decision is really between a wet cell, a gel cell or absorbent glass mat.
Maintenance 3. Wet cell batteries are heavier and require more maintenance. The electrolyte can evaporate and may need to be replaced, and they need to be in an upright position to be charged. In gel cells and glass mat batteries, the electrolyte does not evaporate, so it never needs to be replaced. Gel cells need to be in an upright position to be charged, but glass mat batteries do not. Constant care must be taken with wet cells to avoid acid spills, but not so with the others. All three types of batteries contain hazardous materials and need to be recycled when no longer needed.
Performance 4. Wet cell batteries, although heavier, are the most widely used. They are the workhorse of the battery world and the cheapest for equal power. They provide higher surge currents and therefore are often preferred for automotive applications that need higher current for starting. However glass mat batteries can use purer materials and have a higher power density and therefore are often preferred for high-performance electric vehicles. Gel cells have a greater resistance to cold weather, but glass mats can withstand higher temperatures.
Battery Life 5. The life of all three types of batteries depends mainly on proper charging. Wet cells are the most forgiving and can stand a wider range of charging parameters. Gel cells are second, and the most sensitive are the glass mats. However, completely discharging any of them will shorten their life and may even ruin them. So keep any battery properly charged for a longer life. All three types would last longer if they could be kept away from extreme temperatures, but generally speaking, a properly maintained wet cell could have the longest life.
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