Hi Wrenches,
  Have recently rejoined the group after a long absence so please excuse if this is an old, already-covered topic.
   
  We're going to need sealed batteries for several dozen rural health centers in East Africa and are trying to figure out the best to use.  Up to now, we've mostly used standard wet batteries so we're on a learning curve here.  My reading seems to indicate that AGM is more state-of-the art than gel but I am getting conflicting reports on specific products: for instance in the 12v 250ah class, I'm hearing that the Deka gel has better cycling life than the Concorde AGM.  Anyone have alot of experience with either, and especially with comparing the two?  What kind of life are you seeing under what DOD?
   
  In a heavier, industrial class, does anyone have favorite sealed batteries?  I'm aware of Unigy and Absolyte - are there any others to consider?
   
  Finally, I'm more than a little concerned about a charge controller failure resulting in overcharging and ruining these $4,000 battery banks in remote locations.  Has anyone tried integrating a voltage-tripped relay that would open the charging circuit - as a kind of fail-safe mechanism?
   
  Will appreciate input on any of the above.
  Thanks much,
  Jeff Lahl
  Project Director, Solar Electric Light Fund
   
   

--
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]