OK I have these GEL version of the HAZE GRP24 battery.
And have measured its impedance, and capacity.
And can compare.
So here goes.
Fully and properly charged 20 hours.
The 80Ah Haze battery gave 79.1Ah down to 10.8V over the 20 hour rate (4A continual discharge) on the PL8 charger /tester.
The MK when new and also tested (3 years ago), gave 69.6Ah. I keep the files from the charger. So thats worse. By 13%. And these batteries both IMPROVE by approx 5 to 10% each over the first 10 cycles or so. As the plates become etched in use which increases surface area. So called "forming the plates". So I really should test both after this "break in" period. Say 10 days normal use. But I no longer have any new MKs to test. And old ones will be a lot worse. At least these figures here are under the same "unused" never cycled conditions. Even if artificially low. So while they can both do better, it is still a fair like for like comparison.
Cycle life.
We only have the manufacturers data and officie EU testing refereced on the tech documents. Its not practical to buy two batteries, and then cycle each one on the bench under controlled conditions, to find out how many cycles before each has only 80% of rated capacity left. It would take 500 days discharging. And 500 days recharging correctly to find out. I dont have 3 years to test that! In both cases both claim 500 cycles @ 80% DoD. So this is a draw. And both of these are a lot better than any AGM I saw that we could use. Inc Odyssey. (400/450 Cycles.)
Internal resistance.
The Haze Gel, measured almost 6mOhms (5.84mOhm) when new. This will also improve once its done around 10 or so cycles. It should only be tested when FULLY charged. And after the break in period. So I expect this will match the manufacturers claimed values. That is 5.0mOhm. I measured with my chinesium impedance tester. Which works very well. I couldnt test a new MK as I dont have one. I did test a 1 year old one, at 4.55mOhm. Which is better. And I tested a almost new Odyssey which was almost exactly 2.6mOhm.
This is the ONE thing that the Haze battery does worse. And it will probably not worry 90% of users. But I wouldnt want this in any of my daily chairs. It means less control, less predictability of acceleration etc. Slower to FULLY charge. That bothers me. Most wouldnt notice.
Reserve Capacity.
This is probably the best possible and most useful battery parameter to look at as a performance idea in a heavy rehab powerchair. Gives a real idea of stamina, range in a difficult situation, heavy users, off road, Grass, carpers, hills etc.
It measures a continuous 25A load, Similar to our usage. Until the battery drops below 10V under this 25A load. Its designed as an automotive battery spec. It is roughly what a car draws with ignition on, engine not running. It allows for lights, fans, ignition system etc. And tells you how long you will get! In minutes.
Haze gel. A very good 142 minutes which really surprised me.
MK gel does 112 mins. Which is average for many batts, Because of a combination of impedance and lower actual Ah.
Odyssey ODX-AGM24 gives a huge 160 minutes!
Because of its low impedance. But we will ignore it here due to cost and it being impossible to get in some chairs.
The Odyssey grp34 PC1500 gives 134 Minutes! Again will only fit some chairs as its a fraction longer than a normal grp34 battery.
The Haze is a gelled electrolyte battery. Its ALSO an AGM battery like many gel batteries are. Just like the so called "rebranded" Permobil "special" battery. I would not be surprised if this is one and the same battery. Because its a little better than I expected! At least for an "aveage" programmed chair. Seems like a simple lable swap!