Can’t figure out the differences between gel battery vs tubular battery? For starters, every battery gets its name from the electrolyte and electrodes it uses. So, here’s one difference for you – a gel battery uses a gel electrolyte and a tubular battery uses a tube-shaped electrolyte. But that’s not it! Though both of these are used as an inverter battery for home, they offer an entirely different set of benefits.
Read on to find out all about these two batteries, their differences, and which one you should go with.
What is a Gel Battery?
As mentioned, a gel battery or a “gel cell” is a kind of valve-regulated sealed lead-acid battery. These batteries make use of gelled electrolytes, which are solid electrolytes that reduce spillage and evaporation, and also impart corrosion resistance to batteries.
Also, compared to regular batteries, gel-based batteries are much more lightweight. The batteries have a small quantity of solidified electrolyte to keep the acid inside stationary. Plus, these batteries also feature a longer lifespan than traditional batteries. Why? Because the gel can hold the charge for a way longer time. As a result, these batteries are quite durable and can also hold out against a range of temperatures.
These batteries find their application in powering motorcycles, camcorders, cell phones, marine equipment, and even high-end cars. Moreover, users don’t have to add water frequently to keep the electrolyte levels topped up.
To understand gel battery vs tubular battery better, let’s discuss what tubular battery is.
What is a Tubular Battery?
Tubular batteries are the new hot cakes, what with their suitability with off-grid solar power plants. Since solar power has grown in popularity, the demand for the solar tubular battery has grown manifolds.
In essence, a tubular battery has a negative electrode in the form of a tube. However, its positive electrode is of the regular flat type. The tubular design contributes to the battery’s enhanced performance. The structure of the battery looks like an array of tubes stacked side-by-side along the length of the battery. Hence, the name “tubular.”
These are typically used in applications such as electric vehicle propulsion, home power backup, and solar power equipment.
Like gel batteries, tubular batteries are also quite durable, long-lasting, and require less maintenance. Also, these batteries have a low self-discharge rate, which makes them perfect for solar power applications.
Now, let’s move on to gel battery vs tubular battery comparison.
Gel Battery vs Tubular Battery – What are the Differences?
Though both gel batteries and tubular batteries are quite capable of providing power to a variety of applications, certain differences set them apart. Here’s a list of them:
- Due to the gel electrolyte, the acid inside the battery won’t spill in any scenario, even if you upend the battery, which is not the case with tubular batteries. These batteries have liquid electrolytes, which can spill if not handled correctly.
- Though both batteries have a pretty low self-discharge rate, tubular batteries lose their juice a tad bit faster than gel batteries. Where tubular batteries lose 10-15% of their charge in a month, gel batteries lose 1-3%. However, bring home a Genus battery and experience optimum electrical conveniences everywhere, be it your home or office.
- Both tubular batteries and gel batteries hardly require any upkeep. But where tubular batteries require low maintenance, gel batteries require no maintenance at all. Hence, they’re called MF (Maintenance-free batteries).
- Due to its premium-grade electrolyte, gel batteries are at least 50% more expensive than gel batteries.
Other than these, gel batteries also feature a longer life span, lower weight, and shorter dimensions than tubular batteries. Tubular batteries, due to their larger form factor, have higher energy density and energy stored than gel batteries.
Gel Battery vs Tubular Battery: Which One Should You Go With?
If you want the best quality battery, with high durability, long lifespan, and better performance, it’s recommended to go with gel batteries. But remember that these will cost you a premium. If cost is the problem, tubular batteries will also provide you with gel battery-level performance at a lower price tag.
Genus Innovation can hook you up with the best tubular and flat-plate batteries. So if you wish to know more about a smart inverter battery for home or other solar products for your household or commercial requirements, get in touch with us today.