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 Another
type of battery used in power wheelchairs
is the gel cell battery. Persons
who travel by air are the most frequent
users of this type of battery. Most
airlines will accept gel cell batteries
but no lead-acid batteries unless
it can be proved to their satisfaction
that they are absolutely spill proof.
(NOTE: COMPLETELY SEALED BATTERIES
ARE NOT RECOMMENDED FOR WHEELCHAIR
USE.) The electrolyte in a gel cell
battery is in a gel state and will
not spill and cause damage as would
the standard lead-acid battery.
The main disadvantage to gel cell
batteries is that they have a lower
ampere hour rating resulting in
less operating time on a single
charge. Some individuals have found
it convenient to use gel cells for
short periods while traveling by
air, then switch back to ordinary
lead-acid batteries when they return
home.
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