Car batteries are one of the most often overlooked components of a build. They’re one of those accessories you don’t consider upgrading until it fails, leaving you stranded on the trail or late to work.
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When the time comes to order a replacement, should you opt for the traditional flooded lead acid battery or modern AGM technology? If you find yourself asking similar questions, you’ve come to the right place. In this RealSouce feature, we’re covering the what and why of AGM batteries, as well as the key differences between this modern style and other technologies on the market.
Aside from the factors we’ve already covered, AGM batteries offer numerous advantages over other dated technologies.
AGM batteries are far less susceptible to damage caused by vibration and shock when compared to lead acid. This quality is particularly useful for truck owners who spend time on uneven terrain such as mud, rocky trails, and other off-road destinations.
Extreme temperatures wreak havoc on a traditional flooded lead acid battery’s lifespan. An AGM battery is much more resistant to loss of power and lifespan brought about by scalding heat and frigid cold, making it less likely to give up right when you need it most.
Lead acid batteries must be mounted with the posts facing up (or to the side-on-side terminal batteries) to prevent the electrolyte solution from leaking out of the case. Since the electrolyte is suspended in an AGM battery, the battery can be mounted on its side. This characteristic is useful in custom applications where space is limited.
Conventional flooded lead acid batteries feature a high internal resistance, requiring slow, low-amperage current to charge effectively. By comparison, AGM batteries have a far lower internal resistance, allowing them to absorb current far more rapidly than conventional flooded lead acid. These differences lead to much shorter recharge times.
Typical AGM batteries can start a vehicle approximately 60,000 times before failure—that's nearly three times as many starts as conventional flooded lead acid batteries. This quality provides AGM batteries with a much longer service life—up to 10 years in ideal conditions.
“Deep Cycling” refers to draining most of a battery’s power before recharging it. This term is commonly used to describe RV and overland auxiliary battery setups that see considerable use before recharging. AGM batteries offer far better deep cycle capabilities than conventional flooded lead acid, featuring a DoD (Depth of Discharge) of 80 percent versus a flooded lead acid’s 50 percent.
Because AGM batteries are less prone to damage and have reduced power, you can be confident that you’ll have the starting power you need for everything from hailstorms to heat waves.
A common question surrounding AGM batteries is whether or not replacing an AGM battery with a standard flooded lead acid battery is possible. To which we reply, “That depends.”
For us, the factor that determines a yes or no answer is whether or not the vehicle came from the factory with an AGM battery. If yes, then we’d recommend replacing the AGM with another equivalent AGM battery. In most cases, AGM batteries are installed from the factory in high-demand applications, like vehicles with considerable electronics or auto start/stop capabilities. In these applications, a standard flooded lead acid battery likely would not meet the required demands.
However, suppose your vehicle came from the factory with a flooded lead acid battery that was later upgraded to an AGM. In that case, you’re likely okay with replacing it with another flooded lead acid, so long as the vehicle isn’t equipped with a slew of high-demand aftermarket electronics.
While AGM batteries feature quicker recharge rates than flooded lead acid, you’ll need to follow a special procedure to ensure safe and efficient recharging and prolong the life of your battery. But first, let’s check out some tips from our experts.
If your AGM battery has been discharged beyond your alternator’s ability to maintain it, the battery should be recharged as soon as possible. When recharging, make sure the battery doesn’t exceed 10 amps at 13.8 to 15 volts during the recharging process. The process may take several hours, typically two to eight, but up to 12 hours on deeply discharged batteries.
If your battery charger has specific settings for AGM batteries, make sure you utilize them to optimize the recharging process. By keeping the charging amps at 10 or less, you’ll avoid overheating the battery and prolong the battery’s overall lifespan.
Keep in mind that an AGM battery isn’t the same thing as a gel cell battery. An AGM battery has no free-floating electrolytes, while a gel cell suspends the electrolyte in a gel state. For this reason, you should not use the gel cell or spiral cell settings on your battery charger when recharging an AGM battery.
While batteries can be recharged more quickly by surpassing the recommended 10-amp limit, this will cause the battery to heat up, which can shorten its overall life. If your battery is registering 10.5 volts or less, a standard battery charger may not be able to return the battery to operating condition. A top-of-the-line charger may be required in this situation.
When recharging your vehicle’s AGM Battery, follow these steps.
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Step 1: Purchase the Correct Charger
Purchasing the right charger is crucial when recharging an AGM battery. Select a charger designed exclusively for AGM batteries or one with AGM settings, ensuring the proper current flow.
With the proper charger selected, connect it to the battery. This can be done with the battery removed from the vehicle or installed with a disconnected negative battery terminal. If choosing the latter, wrap the negative terminal in a cloth to prevent it from touching bare metal.
With the charger connected and set to the proper values (12V, AGM), begin charging the battery. Depending on the state of discharge, this may take anywhere from two to 12 hours.
While charging, monitor the battery for charging status and temperature. The battery's temperature should not exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) to prevent overheating and overpressurizing.
Once the battery is fully charged, either reinstall the battery or reconnect the terminals. At this point, you should have successfully recharged your AGM battery. Test out the battery to verify its effectiveness.
Flooded batteries are crucial in various applications, from powering vehicles to providing home backup energy. Understanding their mechanics, maintenance, and advantages can help users make informed decisions. This comprehensive guide will delve into everything you need to know about flooded batteries, ensuring you have the knowledge to optimize their use and longevity.
A flooded battery, often called a wet cell battery, is a lead-acid battery where the electrolyte solution, typically sulfuric acid mixed with water, completely immerses the lead plates. This design allows for efficient chemical reactions that generate electrical energy. Many people widely use flooded batteries due to their reliability and cost-effectiveness.
Flooded batteries operate on the principle of electrochemical reactions between lead dioxide (PbO2), sponge lead (Pb), and sulfuric acid (H2SO4). When the battery discharges, the following reactions occur:
This cycle continues as long as you use the battery within its specifications.
Flooded batteries offer several benefits that make them a popular choice for various applications, but they also come with some drawbacks.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Many applications use flooded batteries due to their versatility:
Proper maintenance is essential for maximizing the lifespan and performance of flooded batteries:
The lifespan of a flooded battery can vary significantly based on several factors:
On average, a well-maintained flooded battery lasts 3 to 5 years. Some users report even longer lifespans with diligent care.
Several factors can influence how well a flooded battery performs:
Selecting the right flooded battery involves considering various factors:
Contact us to discuss your requirements of start stop battery. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.