7amp battery question

[Dogzlife000]

Just curious if it is OK to store and to operate one of those 7 amp vexilar (or similar flasher battery) while it is on its side? Working on a lighting project for a "flip-up" type house and installation would be much easier if I could do this.

Pete

[CrappieJohn]

I think these batteries, or most of them, are made with an acid gel and are sealed against leakage. Try taking a tupperware and setting your battery on it's side in it over night and try to use it the next morning while it is still in that position. If it will operate something without leaks I see no reason why it will not work as in your application.

[metrojoe]

I use these batteries in some of the equipment at work and they are all mounted laying on thier side. In the 6 years I've used these batteries I've only had one leak. It did quite a bit of damage. Some of the plastic parts didn't fair so well. The unit is still working, but the corrosion could be an issue down the line. As Tom suggested above, it wouldn't hurt to put it in something just in case.

[Dogzlife000]

Thanks much guys. I found the perfect tupperware container (sure hope the wife doesn't mind ) and mounted the container in the house. Solved my installation issue too!!

Pete

[S.D. Ice Angular]

Yes, you can even mount them upside down if you want. I know that Marcum OVS 560 cameras have mounted on there side. And I think that the Vexilar “Ultra Packs” also have the battery on there side.

[MetroEye]

CT or anyone else in the know,

What is the difference between a gel cell and a sealed lead acid battery? Are they one in the same? My hi-tech electronic battery charger has separate "battery type" settings for gel and lead acid and I am never sure which to choose. My 7 amp hour batteries usually say "sealed lead acid" on them but in the stores I see them advertised as gell cells Any help?

[CrappieJohn]

The sealed cell batteries are probably of gell nature. Today's batteries take a smoking in the use department and they are used in so many environments which demand clean, dripless performance that most manufacturers have gone to the gell. The "gell" equates to the "acid" portion of the battery's contents. They can be sealed because of the slow charge rate used to freshen them up and is why it is so important to use a sloooooow charge rate and charging amperage. While they can bewarmed up using the lowest setting on an automotive charger (under 2 amps), it is recommended that the charger provided with these batteries be used. If you do blow a cap off a cell, it might mean that that cell is getting bad or you charged it too hot with a larger charger. Pop the cap back in place and wash the battery off before using again.