Victron Energy GEL & AGM Deep Cycle Batteries (VRLA)

Victron GEL and AGM Deep Cycle batteries are sealed, maintenance-free VRLA (Valve Regulated Lead Acid) batteries built for marine, RV, and off-grid house banks. They're true drop-in batteries - no BMS, no special wiring - with excellent deep-discharge recovery and a long, reliable service life. Available in 6V and 12V, from 90 Ah up to 240 Ah, in both AGM and Gel chemistries.

AGM or Gel - which should you choose?

Both are sealed, maintenance-free, and use the same Victron quality build. The difference is how they behave:

• AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) - better at delivering high currents for short periods, so it's the stronger choice for engine starting, bow thrusters, windlasses, and inverters with big surge loads. Excellent value.
• Gel - longer service life and better cycle capacity, especially under repeated deep cycling. A great choice for a house bank that gets cycled hard day after day, or installs where battery longevity is the priority.

Not sure which fits your use? Call us - we'll help you choose based on your loads and how often the bank gets cycled.

Who they're built for

• Boats and RVs - a dependable, sealed house or starting bank that can be mounted in any orientation except terminals-down, with no maintenance and no off-gassing in normal use.
• Off-grid and backup - proven lead-acid reliability for solar and backup systems where a simple, robust, lower-cost bank makes sense.
• Anyone wanting a true drop-in - unlike lithium, these need no BMS; charge them with any Victron charger or MPPT set to the AGM or Gel profile and you're done.

Why Victron VRLA

Maintenance-free for life

Sealed VRLA construction means no topping up with water and no routine maintenance; safety valves vent only in the rare case of overcharging or cell failure.

Low self-discharge

Lead-calcium grids and high-purity materials keep self-discharge under 2% per month at 20 C, so the batteries can be stored for up to a year in cool conditions without recharging.

Exceptional deep-discharge recovery

Victron VRLA batteries recover well even after a deep or prolonged discharge - though, like all lead-acid, repeated deep discharges shorten service life, so size the bank with headroom.

Robust, sealed build

Flat-plate design in fire-retardant ABS cases with copper terminals for low-resistance connections.

Available variants

All variants are sold on this page - choose your chemistry, voltage, and capacity from the variant selector above.

Need a 12V bank from 6V batteries, or sizing help? Get a custom quote from our Seattle team or book a system consultation.

Cycle life and service life

• AGM: approx. 400 cycles at 80% depth of discharge, 600 at 50% DoD, 1,500 at 30% DoD; float design life 7-10 years at 20 C.
• Gel: approx. 500 cycles at 80% DoD, 750 at 50% DoD, 1,800 at 30% DoD; float design life 12 years at 20 C.

Shallower discharges dramatically increase cycle life - keeping a lead-acid bank above ~50% state of charge is the single best thing you can do for its lifespan.

Charging

• Charge with a Victron charger or MPPT set to the AGM or Gel profile (Victron's 4-step adaptive charge curve is ideal).
• Recommended charge voltages (12V): AGM absorption 14.2-14.6 V, Gel absorption 14.1-14.4 V; float 13.5-13.8 V; storage 13.2-13.5 V.
• Charge current preferably 0.2C or less (e.g., up to ~20 A for a 100 Ah battery).
• Temperature compensation -24 mV/°C for a 12V battery, centered at 25 C; required if the battery runs below 10 C or above 30 C for long periods.
• Rated capacity is at the 20-hour discharge rate (0.05C); effective capacity drops at higher discharge currents.

Full technical specifications

• Technology: sealed VRLA, flat-plate AGM or Gel; copper terminals
• Maintenance: maintenance-free for life
• Self-discharge: under 2% per month at 20 C
• Rated capacity: 20-hour discharge rate, 25 C
• Operating: see manual; avoid sustained high temperatures (heat sharply reduces service life)
• Mounting: any orientation except terminals facing down
• Terminals: copper; M8 on the marked M8 variants

Recommended accessories

• Victron Blue Smart IP22 / IP65 / IP67 chargers - with built-in AGM and Gel profiles
• SmartSolar MPPT charge controllers - for solar charging
• BMV-712 Smart or SmartShunt - accurate state-of-charge monitoring
• Battery isolators, combiners, and BatteryProtect - for multi-bank and load protection

Installation and sizing help

Need help sizing a bank, choosing AGM vs Gel, or wiring 6V batteries in series for 12V? Our certified technicians do system consultations and full custom quotes. Email support@bluemarine.com or call (800) 628-6306.

Frequently asked questions

AGM or Gel for my boat or RV?

Choose AGM if you need high cranking/surge current (engine starting, thrusters, big inverter loads) or want the best value. Choose Gel if longevity under repeated deep cycling matters most. Both are sealed and maintenance-free.

Do these need a BMS like lithium batteries?

No. These are drop-in lead-acid batteries - no BMS required. Just charge them with the correct AGM or Gel charge profile.

Can I use the 6V battery on a 12V system?

Yes - wire two 6V/240Ah batteries in series to make a 12V/240Ah bank. This is a common way to build a rugged, high-capacity 12V house bank.

Can I mount the battery on its side?

Yes, in any orientation except with the terminals facing down. Being sealed VRLA, they won't leak.

What warranty do they come with?

A 2-year worldwide limited warranty from Victron Energy. Blue Marine handles the warranty claim process for you. Email support@bluemarine.com.

Why buy your Victron batteries from Blue Marine

• True Blue Victron Energy Distributor - genuine Victron batteries, in stock.
• Certified technicians on the phone - (800) 628-6306 to size your bank and pick AGM vs Gel.
• Free shipping over $49 from our Seattle warehouse (heavier batteries may carry a freight charge).
• 60-day hassle-free returns and local pickup in Seattle, WA.
• Custom quotes and full system design - battery, charger, monitoring, and cabling as one package.