Britbike forum Forums General discussion The Rod and Tappet Gel cell batteries.

Those who have experience of gel cell batteries. How do they handle the charging rates of old British bikes, i.e. a '68 Tr6 with two wire alternator and a podtronocs type rectifier/regulator.
I am worried that the gel cell will be over charged. Do I replace the battery with the same amp/ hour rating or are there any things to watch out for?
Thanks.

Are you talking about AGM batteries such as Mottobatt?

https://www.eBay.com.au/itm/Motobatt-MB9U-TRIUMPH-BONNEVILLE-750CC-T150-T120-650CC-KAWASAKI-KLF110-LT160E/173975630230?epid=10023722379&hash=item2881c17196:g:s7UAAOSwq7JUFSjg

If so, they are fine, I use then all the time. No drain hose...BIG plus.

I've never burned up an AGM battery on a bike with a Podtronics or similar unit.
Only time will tell if the Scorpion battery on my Trident holds up with the stock zener regulator.

I have current Bike Master brand gel electro-lite (not AGM) in a 64 Hornet and in my T-150 both are the YTX-7 size. The Hornet batt going on 6 yrs. Both bike stock stators and Podtronics Reg./Rect.

I've had a scorpion AGM battery on my BSA Rocket for about 8 years and it has not let me down.

All Ive used in mine for the last 8 years and the first two I got 6 years out of each of them... Just replaced them so I hope to get another 6..... And I dont charge them over the winter unless its been really cold .... So like maybe once I stick them on the charger over the winter storage

AGM is not the same as Gel, I have used Gel on several bikes with both zener's and a Wassel rect/reg and had no issues.

Thankyou!!!!

Wade,

Which type and manufacturer ?

The old bikes have been using Cyclons for decades and I have never had a problem wht them.
They are Gel cells
However considering all of the Adsorbent Glass Mat batteries that are Pressure Valve Regulated there is really no need for Gels any more.
You need AGM to support the grid plates with are about 20% the weight of the original batteries so subject to mechanical failure.
The PVR prevents the batter gassing so they don't go POP any more & warm your legs.

Cyclons are virtually indistructable because the plates are rolled up like foil capacitor so they can take all of the vibes our bike put out but down here the distributor has a taste for fine wine & loose women which he finances through excessive pricing.