Renogy AGM, Pure Gel and Hybrid Gel 12V 200Ah Deep Cycle Batteries

Renogy AGM, Pure Gel, and Hybrid Gel 12V 200Ah Deep Cycle Batteries are large and heavy, sealed lead-acid (SLA) batteries that feature the same nominal voltage and capacity, but also differ in electrolyte type.

All three batteries are intended for off-the-grid applications, security, and medical systems, as trolling batteries, RV house batteries, and similar. Although very similar, they do differ, and knowing these differences is very important when choosing the right battery.

Published: February 22, 2021.

Renogy 12V 200Ah AGM, Pure Gel, and Hybrid Gel Batteries Features and Specifications

All three battery models feature the same nominal capacity of 200Ah and a nominal voltage of 12 volts. The main difference between these batteries is their electrolyte, as their labels suggest.

Their most important features are given in the following comparison chart:

Model	Renogy 12V 200Ah AGM RNG-BATT-AGM12-200	Renogy 12V 200Ah Pure Gel RNG-BATT-GEL12-200	Renogy 12V 200Ah Hybrid Gel RBT200GEL12-G1
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Nominal Voltage	12V	12V	12V
20h Capacity (77°F, 25°C, 10.5V)	200 Ah	200 Ah	200 Ah
10h Capacity (77°F, 25°C, 10.5V)	192.4 Ah	186.0 Ah	195.0 Ah
5h Capacity (77°F, 25°C, 10.5V)	172.2 Ah	170.0 Ah	167.5 Ah
3h Capacity (77°F, 25°C, 10.5V)	152.9 Ah	154.2 Ah	148.5 Ah
2h Capacity (77°F, 25°C, 10.5V)	130.9 Ah	141.2 Ah	132.0 Ah
1h Capacity (77°F, 25°C, 10.5V)	110.0 Ah	117.4 Ah	109.3 Ah
Float Charge Voltage (77°F, 25°C)	13.5 - 13.8 volts	13.5 volts	13.6 - 13.8 volts
Cycle Use Charge Voltage (77°F, 25°C)	14.4 - 14.5 volts	14.2 volts	14.2 - 14.4 volts
50% DoD Cycles	600	1100	750
Physical Dimensions (L x W x H)	20.6 x 9.4 x 8.8 inches (523 x 240 x 224 mm)	20.6 x 9.5 x 8.7 inches (523 x 241 x 221 mm)	20.6 x 9.4 x 8.8 inches (523 x 240 x 224 mm)
BCI Battery Group	4D (6D*)	4D (6D*)	4D (6D*)
Weight	129 lbs (~58.5 kg)	128 lbs (~58 kg)	127.9 lbs (~58 kg)
Standby Life (77°F, 25°C)	~ 10 Years	~12 Years	~12 Years
Self-Discharge Rate (77°F, 25°C)	<3% per month	<2% per month	<3% per month
Maximum Charging Current	60 Amps	40 Amps	60 Amps
Internal Resistance	3.5 mΩ	5 mΩ	4.2 mΩ
Max. 5s Discharge Current	2000 Amps	-	2000 Amps
Warranty	2-Year Limited	3-Year Limited	3-Year Limited
Amazon Link	Renogy 12V 200Ah AGM	Renogy 12V 200Ah Pure Gel	Renogy 12V 200Ah Hybrid Gel

Note: Amazon affiliate links open in the new windows, feel free to check them for the most up-to-date offers and prices. Also, we have found several constant current and constant power discharge charts for these batteries, especially for Pure Gel model on the official Renogy site that have different discharge values. Just to be sure, when purchasing these (or any other) batteries, be sure to check actual discharge charts for the exact battery model that you are buying. Better safe than sorry.

*: Physical Dimensions - Are these batteries 4D or 6D batteries?

Physical dimensions of the Renogy 12V 200Ah batteries are as follows (L x W x H):

- AGM: 20.6 x 9.4 x 8.8 inches (523 x 240 x 224 mm),

- Pure Gel: 20.6 x 9.5 x 8.7 inches (523 x 241 x 221 mm),

- Hybrid Gel: 20.6 x 9.4 x 8.8 inches (523 x 240 x 224 mm).

So, all three models are practically the same regarding the size.

However, these batteries are often labeled as 4D batteries, but they are somewhat larger and thus they should be labeled as 6D batteries. Also, they are too small to be labeled as 8D batteries. For comparison reasons, BCI groups 4D, 6D, and 8D sizes are (L x W x H):

- 4D: 20.75 x 8.75 x 9.875 inches (527 x 222 x 250 mm),

- 6D: 20.75 x 10.0 x 10.25 inches (527 x 254 x 260 mm),

- 8D: 20.75 x 11.125 x 9.875 inches (527 x 283 x 250 mm).

This just shows the importance of checking actual battery size, not just its BCI battery group.

Renogy RNG-BATT-AGM12-200 AGM 12V 200Ah Battery

Renogy RNG-BATT-AGM12-200 AGM 12V 200Ah Battery is a deep cycle battery that features internal resistance of 3.5 mΩ, and is able to provide 2000 Amps for 5 seconds, ensuring that it can be used not only as deep cycle battery, but also as an industrial, general-purpose battery.

The maximum allowed charging current is 60 Amps - if the stronger current is used, it may shorten the charging time of the battery, but also its lifetime.

When the battery is used in float/standby applications, charging voltage should be in the 13.5 - 13.8 volts range, and when used in cycling applications, its charging voltage should be in the 14.4 - 14.5 volts range - these values are given for charging the batteries at 77°F (25°C).

Renogy 12V 200Ah AGM battery is able to withstand ~600 charging/discharging cycles down to 50% DoD, which is good value for AGM battery, but the gel-cell batteries may withstand more cycles (Pure Gel: 1100, Hybrid Gel: 750).

The following chart lists constant current discharge values for Renogy 12V 200Ah AGM battery, given in Amps (at 77°F, 25°C):

The following chart lists constant power discharge values for Renogy 12V 200Ah AGM battery, given in Watts (at 77°F, 25°C):

When compared with Pure Gel and Hybrid Gel batteries, AGM battery is better suited for industrial and off-the-grid applications that require the battery to provide large currents and is able to accept the charge quickly.

But, it also has a somewhat shorter warranty (2 vs 3 years), a larger self-discharge rate (nonetheless, still very low self-discharge rate),  and shorter standby life (~10 vs 12 years).

For more reviews and recommendations, feel free to check Renogy 12V 200Ah AGM Amazon link (link opens in the new window).

Renogy RNG-BATT-GEL12-200 Pure Gel 12V 200Ah Battery

Renogy RNG-BATT-GEL12-200 Pure Gel 12V 200Ah Battery is gel-cell lead-acid, spill-proof deep cycle battery, optimized for off-the-grid cyclic and standby applications.

It features the largest internal resistance of all these three models - 5.0 mΩ. Renogy doesn't even state maximum 5 seconds discharge current for this battery - simply put, this battery should not be used as cranking battery, except for smaller and medium-size gas and diesel engines that require a few hundred cranking Amps.

Also, it has the lowest maximum allowed charging current of 40 Amps, which is a relatively low charging current for 200 Ah battery, prolong its charging time.

At first look, these limits make this battery look not so good. But, at second look, this battery is - fantastic. Here is why:

As a deep cycle battery, Renogy RNG-BATT-GEL12-200 Pure Gel 12V 200Ah Battery is able to withstand 1100(!) charging/discharging cycles down to 50% DoD, which is excellent value for a lead-acid battery.

For example, when the battery is being used in the off-the-grid application and is being recharged during the day and discharged during the night, the battery is able to provide 10 Amps for 10 hours (that is down to 50% DoD) at 77°F (25°C).

In order to recharge it, one may use 30 Amps intelligent AGM battery charger and recharge it in less than 4 hours, or some battery charge controller connected to solar panels, wind turbines, and similar and recharge it fully during the day.

With such use, this battery is able to withstand ~1000 cycles with the capacity loss down to 80% and ~1100 cycles with the capacity loss down to 60%, with the first 700-750 cycles having almost no capacity loss.

The following chart lists constant current discharge values for Renogy 12V 200Ah 'Pure Gel' battery, given in Amps (at 77°F, 25°C):

Again, there are several 'official' pdf files about Renogy Pure Gel batteries, one of them even claiming that Pure Gel 12V 200Ah battery features 200Ah capacity when being discharged in 10 hours and not in 20 hours.

The following chart lists constant power discharge values for Renogy 12V 200Ah 'Pure Gel' battery, given in Watts (at 77°F, 25°C):

Because of its electrolyte type ('Pure Gel', Gel-Cell), Renogy 12V 200Ah Pure Gel battery is not as good performer as AGM and Hybrid Gel models when being discharged for longer periods of time (10h or more), or when being discharged with really strong currents (for example, 1000+ Amps).

But, when the discharge current is in the 50-500 Amps range, Pure Gel is an even better performer than the AGM battery.

Personally, a large number of charging/discharging cycles outweighs the fact that AGM and Hybrid Gel batteries are slightly better performers when being discharged for 10 - 20h periods.

Renogy 12V 200Ah Pure Gel is being slowly phased out by the newer Renogy 12V 200Ah Hybrid Gel battery.

For more reviews and recommendations, feel free to check Renogy 12V 200Ah Pure Gel Amazon link (link opens in the new window).

Renogy RBT200GEL12-G1 12V 200Ah Hybrid Gel Battery

Renogy RBT200GEL12-G1 12V 200Ah Hybrid Gel Battery is the newest model of these three and it sits between AGM and Pure Gel batteries regarding its features and specifications.

Renogy 12V 200Ah Hybrid Gel Battery features standby life similar to Pure Gel (~12 years) battery, it is able to provide 2000 Amps for 5 seconds, it can be recharged with 60 Amps, it has a 3-year warranty (Pure Gel 3-year warranty, AGM 2-year warranty), and internal resistance of 4.1 mΩ.

However, Hybrid Gel can't withstand a large number of cycles like Pure Gel can (1100 vs 750 cycles) and is not as efficient battery as Pure Gel when being discharged in less than ~10 hours, although this last statement depends on the exact 'Pure Gel' discharge chart, since the values differ even on the official Renogy site!

The following chart lists constant current discharge values for Renogy 12V 200Ah 'Hybrid Gel' battery, given in Amps (at 77°F, 25°C):

The following chart lists constant power discharge values for Renogy 12V 200Ah 'Hybrid Gel' battery, given in Watts (at 77°F, 25°C):

As one can see, Renogy 12V 200Ah Hybrid Gel Battery may be used as a standby battery just as the Pure Gel model, but it can be recharged faster. Also, in industrial applications, Renogy 12V 200Ah Hybrid Gel Battery is able to provide larger (starting) currents thanks to the lower internal resistance than Pure Gel battery (but still larger internal resistance than AGM battery).

For more reviews and recommendations, feel free to check Renogy 12V 200Ah Hybrid Gel Amazon link (link opens in the new window).

 How to Charge Renogy 12V 200Ah Batteries?

There are many ways how to charge Renogy 12V 200Ah batteries, each one depending on the intended battery use.

The easiest way to charge these batteries is by using an intelligent AGM battery charger that also features charging modes for Gel-Cell and other batteries (if required).

Chargers in the 20-30 Amps range can recharge these batteries safely, without causing large stress or increasing the internal temperature of the batteries.

For example, 25 Amps battery charger is able to recharge 200Ah battery discharged down to 50% DoD in less than 5 hours.

If quick charging is required, 50 Amps battery chargers may be used for AGM and Hybrid Gel batteries, but NOT for Pure Gel model.

For example, 50 Amps battery charger is able to recharge 200Ah battery discharged down to 50% DoD in slightly more than 2 hours - and that is really quick!

In the off-the-grid situations, it is possible to connect intelligent lead-acid AGM/Gel-Cell battery charger to the power generator and to recharge these batteries.

For example, if the batteries are discharged down to 100% DoD (not recommended) and are recharged using 25 Amps battery chargers, it will require a generator to supply some ~350W (on average 25 Amps @12 volts, plus some energy losses in the battery charger and the battery) for ~9 hours.

Most 2000W power generators are able to provide 350 watts for 9+ hours on a single fuel tank with noise levels often well below 53-55 dB when under <20% load.

Just be sure to operate such power generator outside, NOT inside!

Renogy 12V 200Ah Batteries as Inverter Batteries

Renogy 12V 200Ah Batteries are excellent deep discharge batteries that may be used as trolling batteries, UPS batteries, sump pump batteries, etc. but also as inverter batteries.

When calculating runtime, it is important to check constant power discharge tables and to include energy losses in power inverters.

For example: 1000W pure sine inverters are able to power most household devices during power outages, just be sure to properly calculate loads, if adding more than one device.

1000W pure sine inverters often feature efficiency in 90-95% range, but for safety reasons, one should assume the efficiency of 85%.

Thus, when pushed to its limit, 1000W inverter requires at least ~1180 watts.

As one can see, all three Renogy 12V 200Ah batteries are able to provide 1200W easily for one hour, without the voltage dropping below 10.8 volts.

Long Story Short: Renogy AGM, Pure Gel and Hybrid Gel 12V 200Ah Deep Cycle Batteries are large and heavy, but tough and durable BCI Group 4D (6D) batteries that may store plenty of energy and release it when needed.

All three models have their pros and cons, with Hybrid Gel battery having the best features of both AGM and Pure Gel models.

When choosing the right battery, be sure to choose according to your own needs and requirements.