GEL Battery

[Bikerz]

I need a GEL battery for my Audi TT. I need one as battery now in boot and its my track car. Im not worried about weight so much, but must be GEL as its in the cabin. What should I look at? I cant see any that are GEL type? Are Odyssey racing batteries OK? They seem to be acid, which I dont want in my car with me! I presume they are sealed acid, these OK to look at?

Thanks

[VladD]

Mk1 MX5s use a gel battery. Have a google for "Westco". MX5Parts sell them if you can't find anywhere cheaper.

[Bikerz]

They say they are sealed yet have a breather? Dont like the sound of that! Or is that ok to go through scrutineering?

[VladD]

The breather is to vent fumes. I'm not 100% sure why it's there from a legal standpoint, but I do know that if you don't have the breather the general concensus is that the boot rusts. I'm sure connecting the rubber mx5 Y pipe into a small outlet pipe would be easily doable in a TT. In the MX5 is just goes through the boot floor.

Edit....Like this.

Edited by VladD on Wednesday 22 August 14:04

[Graham]

Odyssey racing batteries are gel batteries

you can also try powervamp

[.Adam.]

I've had an Odyssey in my Westfield for a few years now and it's been fine.

[JSquaredJim]

Powervamp are re branded Odessy batteries. Bonus being they are miles cheaper

[Hybrids]

Sorry to rain on any parades, Odyssey & Powervamp are not GEL, they are AGM.

A totally different construction type, GEL is primarily designed for cyclic use.
AGM is spill proof, can be mounted on its side and is suitable for engine starting and cyclic use.

I have used Odyssey & Powervamp in my race cars for several years, always mounted on the side in the cabin.
No issues with acid spill or scrutineering issues.

They do still have vents, to give them thier official (muppet) title they are VRLA (valve regulated lead acid). The only time they will vent excessivly is if overcharged.

Edited by Hybrids on Friday 24th August 08:49

[thunderbelmont]

Gels are wet batteries, in that they are not dry, that is all. The electrolyte is in the form of a gel.
AGM (advanced glass mat) is a similar technology, but have superior performance as a traction/cranking battery.
That's the kind of battery you want if your battery is in your cabin (without being vented).

SLAs (sealed lead acid aka Gel) and AGM batteries can be mounted in any axis other than upside-down.

Batteries give off hydrogen when charged - and you don't really want that in the cockpit! Gel and AGM batteries are sealed, and vent via valves that only open when they are charged really really hard!

It still pays to put your battery in a box and vent the box to the outside.