1. VRLA technology
VRLA stands for Valve Regulated Lead Acid, which means the batteries are sealed. Gas will escape through the safety valves only in case of overcharging or cell failure. VRLA batteries have exceptional leak resistance, and can be used in any position. VRLA batteries are maintenance free for life.

2. Sealed (VRLA) AGM batteries
AGM stands for Absorbent Glass Mat. In these batteries the electrolyte is absorbed into a glass-fibre mat between the plates by capillary action. As explained in our book ‘Energy Unlimited’, AGM batteries are more suitable for short-time delivery of very high currents (engine starting) than gel batteries.

3. Sealed (VRLA) Gel batteries
Here the electrolyte is immobilized as gel. Gel batteries in general have a longer service life and better cycle capacity than AGM batteries.

4. Low Self-discharge
Because of the use of lead calcium grids and high purity materials, Victron VRLA batteries can be stored during long periods of time without recharge. The rate of self-discharge is less than 2% per month at 20°C. The self discharge doubles for every increase in temperature with 10°C. Victron VRLA batteries can therefore be stored during up to a year without recharging, if kept under cool conditions.

5. Exceptional Deep Discharge Recovery
Victron VRLA batteries have exceptional discharge recovery, even after deep or prolonged discharge. It should however be stressed that repetitive deep discharge and prolonged discharge have a very negative influence on the service life of all lead acid batteries, Victron batteries are no exception.

6. Battery discharging characteristics
The rated capacity of Victron AGM and Gel Deep Cycle batteries refers to 20 hour discharge, in other words: a discharge current of 0,05 C. The rated capacity of Victron Tubular Plate Long Life batteries refers to 10 hours discharge. The effective capacity decreases with increasing discharge current (see table 1). Please note that the capacity reduction will be even faster in case of a constant power load, such as an inverter.

Table 1: Effective capacity as a function of discharge time
(the lowest row gives the maximum allowable 5 seconds discharge current)

Our AGM deep cycle batteries have excellent high current performance and are therefore recommended for high current applications such as engine starting. Due to their construction, Gel batteries have a lower effective capacity at high discharge currents. On the other hand, Gel batteries have a longer service life, both under float and cycling conditions.

7. Effect of temperature on service life
High temperature has a very negative effect on service life. The service life of Victron batteries as a function of temperature is shown in table 2.

Victron Batteries