Dynacell - Technical Information: SVR Q&A

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Sealed Valve Regulated (SVR)
Gelled Electrolyte and
Absorbed Electrolyte Batteries.

Everything you wanted to know...
But were afraid to ask.

Question:
How do I know if a charger is "gel" friendly?
Answer:
So far, we have tested these charger and they work fine:

Schauer Four Seasons: Models TB6012, TB10012 and TB20012
Schauer also has a WC series (models BR512WC and CR512WC) with a fixed voltage of 14.1 V, that works well for gel cells.
Unfortunately, just because a charger calls itself "automatic, temperature sensing, adjustable volt- age," doesn't mean that it is. Or. ..a charger may be old, out of adjustment, or in need of repair.
Keep in mind that RULE #1 is:
ONLY CHARGE GEL CELLS USING A RELIABLE, AUTOMATIC, TEMPERATURE SENSING, VOLTAGE REGULATED CHARGER.
NEVER USE A CONSTANT CURRENT CHARGER. (Constant current charging will overcharge any SVR battery.)
ALWAYS KEEP CHARGING CURRENT IN THE RANGE OF 13.8V TO 14.1V FOR GEL. (14.1V TO 14.5 V FOR ABSORBED)
If you or your customer or a user is not sure if a charger is performing properly, use this procedure:
a. Using a fully discharged gel cell battery (11.80 to 10.5 V), and a digital voltmeter, record the initial open circuit voltage at the battery terminals.
b. Using an automatic charger as described above, set voltage 'if adjustable. (14.1 V for gel...14.5 V for absorbed.)
c. Connect and start charging. Record initial on-charge voltage and current (amps).
d. Using the Gel Cell Charging Guide, estimate the time required to bring to full charge, based on the initial charging current noted in "c" above.
e. Each hour or so, check and record the on-charge voltage, across the battery terminals.
Except for occasional, brief "blips" or pulses, the voltage should not exceed the voltage limit.
f. At the end of charge (when the current is very low or goes to zero) check and record the voltage.

Note that the charger may have turned itself off by then, which is fine.
g. The disconnected battery should be at 100% or above (due to "surface charge.") During the charging time, the charger should not have exceeded the limit (except for occasional, brief pulses). This indicates that the charger is OK to use. Keep in mind that the voltage limit is at 68°F/20°C. Charging at higher or lower temperatures will change this limit. See the chart here. A temperature sensing charger should always be used, as manual adjustments are never accurate, and will damage any SVR battery.