I have a wet cell auto battery, and it is subject to vibration and small shocks. Is there something I could add to the acid to thicken it to provide plate support/damping? IE: a DIY "gel cell"?

 

Buy a gel cell.

 

Auto batteries are designed for an environment of vibration and shocks.

 

Buy a gel cell.

Wouldn't an AGM battery be better? That's what came in my 2004 Grand Prix from the factory.

 

There is nothing you can add to a SLA battery to thicken the electrolyte. A good container with proper hold downs will minimize movement and reduce vibration. Next up would be a deep cycle battery which uses thicker, larger plates and better grid substances which strengthen its construction. Again, hold downs are a must. As others have said, AGM and GEL batteries are best for this application as they are built to deep cycle and have limited or no liquid movement within the cell. The only constraint here is your charging voltage and both of these are finicky when it comes to that. Those are your choices for now.

 

There is nothing you can add to a SLA battery to thicken the electrolyte. A good container with proper hold downs will minimize movement and reduce vibration. Next up would be a deep cycle battery which uses thicker, larger plates and better grid substances which strengthen its construction. Again, hold downs are a must. As others have said, AGM and GEL batteries are best for this application as they are built to deep cycle and have limited or no liquid movement within the cell. The only constraint here is your charging voltage and both of these are finicky when it comes to that. Those are your choices for now.

thx to all. it's a little clearer now. just that the cost of deep cycle is so high......$300-$500 + depending.

 

thx to all. it's a little clearer now. just that the cost of deep cycle is so high......$300-$500 + depending.

But the transfer of ions is critical to the successful current-carrying capacity of the battery. Gel cells use very weak gels that allow ion mobility. Not simple chemistry -especially a gel that is acid stable.