Charging VRLA batteries in cycling applications

Since their introduction, VRLA batteries have been recognized to have distinctly different operating characteristics than their flooded lead-acid counterparts. The cycle, capacity and failure modes of VRLA batteries depend greatly on the charge profile used. In the cycling or deep cycle application, optimum performance requires the use of a high current/voltage finish charge. The mechanisms involved in this requirement are electrochemically related. They involve secondary reactions during charge, cell imbalance and inhomogeneity of plate potentials