The capacity of a battery is specified as the number of Amp-Hrs that the battery will deliver at a specific discharge rate and temperature. The capacity of a battery is not a constant value and is seen to decrease with increasing discharge rate.  The capacity of a battery is affected by a number of factors such as: active material weight, density of the active material, adhesion of the active material to the grid, number, design and dimensions of plates, plate spacing, design of separators, specific gravity and quantity of available electrolyte, grid alloys, final limiting voltage, discharge rate, temperature, internal and external resistance, age, and life history of the battery.

A gel battery is a battery in which the electrolyte is immobilized by the addition of a chemical agent, normally fine silica, to prevent spillage. Gel batteries are one typical type of VRLA battery.

1. Continuous over-charging or under-charging are a gel cell battery's worst enemies.

2. Do not store your gel cell batteries in an uncharged condition.

3. Avoid exposing the battery to excessive heat. Service life is shortened at operating temperatures above 30°C.

4. Never charge a gel cell in an air-tight container or near objects producing sparks or flames.

5. When using a solar panel to charge a gel cell battery, be sure to use a charge controller which properly regulates the charging voltage.

Many solar panels are capable of producing as much as 18 volts -- more than enough to damage your battery. 

During the storage of the battery, the rate of capacity loss is called the self-discharge rate. It is mainly affected by the manufacturer's technology, materials, and storage conditions. These and other factors are important parameters used to measure the lead acid battery's performance.

Storage time is an important parameter of quality control. After a certain period of time in storage the electrochemistry performance of inner components level off allowing self-discharge times to be determined. The deep cycle batteries with short circuits and micro short circuits can be removed, ensuring the quality of the batteries.

During the battery charging process, a large portion of electrical energy transforms to chemical energy. As a charging battery nears full charge, its terminal voltage rises and/or the charging current falls - depending on the type of charger used. After the battery has reached a full state of charge, any additional charging will generate heat and some water is consumed by electrolysis causing hydrogen and oxygen gasses to be released from the battery. The excess heat is damaging to the plates (grids and paste) and separators, whereas the loss of water lowers the electrolyte level and increases the specific gravity of the electrolyte. All of these factors can contribute to shorter battery life.

The life of a battery is dependent on how it is used. How long and how often the motorcycle battery is charged affects the length of time the battery will last. If you leave the battery unused for several months, don't expect the battery to work smoothly when you use it again. Charging the battery correctly is very important. The instruction manual will tell you how long you will need to charge the motorcycle battery. Always keep the battery fully charged, even if is not being used.