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Am I correct in thinking that you need a special (slow charge, low current)
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Gel batteries have particular requirements (i.e. different to normal lead acid) for charging including very specific specifications for charging when flattened beyond a certain point.
There are (or at least were) circuits designed particularly for charging gel batteries (EA had one which I built many years ago). The chargers detect low voltage and if the battery is flattened beyond a certain level they apply a trickle charge untill a suitable voltage for bulk charge is reached, then a bulk charge of C/20 (capacity in AH/20 constant current) until another predetermined point where they are held at a constant voltage until charge is completed.
That said, most chargers are simple devices relying on slow charge at low currents usually with no regulation, probably why Gel batteries have a relatively short cycle life.