We generally see two types of people when there are power cuts:
- The ones who wait for the lights to come back and sit in the dark.
- The ones who enjoy uninterrupted life.
What makes this difference?
It is the selection of the right battery. They are not just metal boxes with plates and acid inside but serve as a lifeline during power cuts. They serve as your parent’s ceiling fan, your kid’s study lamp, your laptop’s charging source and your family’s comfort. So it is important to make the right selection. If you are also confused between gel vs tubular battery then we are here with the detailed information to help you make the correct decision without any jargon.
One difference lies in the name itself:
Gel batteries use gel electrolyte and tubular batteries use tube-shaped electrolyte. But this is just one very obvious difference. Both of these are used as inverter battery for home and offer entirely different sets of benefits.
What is a Gel battery?
Gel battery is a kind of valve-regulated sealed lead-acid battery filled with gel-like electrolyte instead of liquid acid. These solid electrolytes make them spill proof and also reduce evaporation while imparting corrosion resistance properties to the batteries. Some of the notable features are:
Safe and spill proof
The gel electrolyte does not spill and is therefore safe.
Lightweight
They are much more lightweight compared to the regular traditional batteries.
Lifespan
Gel batteries have a longer lifespan than traditional batteries as the gel can hold the charge for a longer time.
Durable
These batteries are highly durable and are able to hold against a range of temperatures.
Maintenance
Little to no maintenance is required in gel batteries as water needs not to be filled frequently for topping up the electrolyte.
Applications
They are used in powering camcorders, motorcycles, cell phones, marine equipment etc.
Now let us discuss the Tubular batteries to better understand gel vs tubular battery.
What is a Tubular battery?
Tubular batteries have tall, strong plates that are designed for deep-cycle, heavy-duty performance. This battery has a negative electrode in the form of a tube and the positive electrode is of regular flat type. Its tubular design contributes to the enhanced performance of the battery. The structure of the tubular battery looks like an array of tubes stacked side-by-side along the length of the battery. These batteries have following features:
Compatibility
They are suitable with off-grid solar power plants. The demand of solar tubular battery is growing manifolds so these batteries sit perfectly in that frame.
Durable
They are also durable and can withstand tough conditions.
Lifespan
Like the gel batteries, tubular batteries are also long-lasting and do not require very high maintenance.
Low self-discharge rate
This feature makes them a perfect choice for solar power applications.
Applications
They are used in electric vehicle propulsion, solar power equipment and home power backup.
Gel vs tubular battery – Here is the difference:
While both of these batteries are capable of providing power to a variety of applications, certain differences are there that sets them apart like:
Acid inside gel batteries won’t spill in any scenario even if you upend the battery but this is not the case with tubular batteries. They have liquid electrolyte having the risk of spilling if not handled properly.
The self-discharge rate of both batteries is pretty low but tubular batteries lose their juice a bit faster than the gel batteries. They lose 10-15% of their charge in a month which is high compared to gel batteries that lose just 1-3% per month. To enjoy optimum electrical convenience be it in home or office, get a Genus battery and feel the difference.
The maintenance requirement is fairly low in both these batteries compared to the traditional batteries but tubular batteries still require low maintenance while gel batteries do not require any maintenance at all. That’s why they are popular as MF (maintenance-free) batteries.
Gel batteries are expensive than tubular batteries due to the presence of premium-grade electrolyte in them.
Along with these, gel batteries also have lower weight, longer lifespan and shorter dimensions compared to the tubular batteries. On the other hand, tubular batteries have larger form factors with which they have higher energy density and energy stored than the gel batteries.
Which one should you choose? Gel vs tubular battery?
Always remember that the choice is not just about Amps and Volts- it is about peace of mind.
It is recommended to go with gel batteries if you want high durability, best quality, long lifespan and better performance. However, the cost is high for a gel battery.
If cost is the problem, you can go for a tubular battery that comes at a lower price tag.
At Genus Innovation, we believe that power backup is not just a product – it is a promise to keep your home comfortable, lit and connected. So make the choice by keeping your requirements in mind and not the price tag. You can find the best tubular and flat-plate batteries with us. If you want to know more about a smart inverter battery for home then get in touch with us today.