Are AGM batteries better for deep cycle?

WHAT IS AN AGM BATTERY?

You&#;ve heard the term AGM battery before and may even know that it stands for Absorbent Glass Mat. But, what does Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) actually mean and how does that enhance the battery&#;s performance over standard lead acid batteries?

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Let&#;s review some basics of the SLA (sealed lead acid) battery construction. All SLA batteries are comprised of lead plates (positive and negative) and electrolyte that are then arranged into &#;cells&#; and placed into a battery case. Some of these batteries are also valve-regulated, which allows for the escape of minor amounts of gas that occurs during the recombination process during charging. Although these batteries allow gases to escape, they are spill-proof batteries (sometimes called valve regulated lead acid or VRLA), and allow for safe operation in almost any position (the only limitation is they are not recommended to be used upside down). Because they are sealed, you don&#;t need to add electrolyte after the manufacturing process, and any gases that are generated go into a recombination cycle.

AGM BATTERY CONSTRUCTION

In AGM type batteries, the construction follows the same basics as standard SLA, with the addition of a fiberglass mat that is placed between each negative and positive plate to absorb the electrolyte. Since the mat acts like a sponge with the electrolyte, the battery becomes non-spillable.

The AGM battery holds the electrolyte in place and works by allowing the electrolyte to be passed through the fiberglass mat, creating maximum surface area for the electrolyte to touch the plates without it flooding the battery with too much fluid. AGM batteries contain only enough electrolyte to keep the mat wet and if the battery is broken no free liquid is available to leak out. This allows for less electrolyte in the battery while still providing the same energy as traditional SLA batteries.

TYPES OF AGM BATTERIES

When most people think of AGM batteries, they likely think of deep cycle battery applications. However, not all AGM batteries are deep cycle. While a popular choice for deep cycling, as an AGM battery has a depth of discharge (DoD) of 80% versus a standard flooded battery which has a DoD of 50%, it is also a popular choice for starter batteries. This is because it has low internal resistance and can provide high current loads quickly. AGM batteries are also being used as start-stop batteries in modern cars, this is due to flooded batteries not being robust enough to handle the repeated cycling in start-stop applications which can cause the battery to fail after only a couple of years use.

For example, at Power Sonic we offer our AGM technology in both deep cycle AGM batteries (the PDC line) and as a popular option in our PowerSport family (Super Sport, Ultra Sport AGM, and our Stop-Start AGM lines). However, AGM is also the technology we use in our general purpose (PS) and long life (PG) families of products as the Absorbent Glass Mat separator maximizes the surface area of the electrolyte improving battery performance.

Each cell in an AGM battery has 2 volts so AGM batteries are available in a variety of voltages including popular 6V and 12V models.

CHARGING AN AGM BATTERY

One of the advantages of an AGM battery is they can be charged up to five times faster than a standard flooded battery. As with all sealed lead acid batteries, AGM are sensitive to over-charging, we recommend this guide to charging sealed lead acid batteries to ensure get the most out of your AGM battery.

ARE AGM BATTERIES RECYCLABLE?

Yes AGM batteries are recyclable. More than 98% of an AGM battery can be recycled. We in the battery industry are very proud of the fact that lead acid batteries are one of the most highly recycled products on the planet. AGM batteries are environmentally friendly and easy to recycle, they can be recycled at almost all recycling centers, along with many automotive outlets and thousands of other locations.

AGM VS FLOODED BATTERY

There are many benefits of AGM technology over its older flooded battery construction. One big benefit of the fiberglass mat is that since the mat holds the acid, the battery is less likely to sulfate. This characteristic is what allows it to reach a deeper DoD than it&#;s flooded equivalent.

The lower internal resistance of the AGM battery also has a lower self-discharge rate and therefore doesn&#;t require a topping charge as frequently as a flooded battery would in long term storage conditions. It is important to note that AGM batteries still must be charged before storing and will require maintenance charging while in long term storage but will charge faster than a flooded battery.

Some advantages that AGM has over flooded batteries (as well as faster charging) are increased cycle life and vibration resistance. This is because the combination of the tightly packed AGM battery and the mat inside act as a damper, which are characteristics that lend nicely to power sport applications. Another benefit of the mat is that the battery requires less electrolyte than flooded batteries, which decreases its weight.

However, one of the down sides to the AGM battery is its cost &#; at slightly higher than flooded, you will pay more for a battery that doesn&#;t need to be maintained in the same way a flooded battery does. In fact, cost is one of the reasons flooded batteries are still commonplace (usually seen more in motorsport applications).

AGM BATTERY VS GEL

Another popular alternative to flooded and AGM type batteries is the Gel battery. A Gel battery is still maintenance-free, its cells are sealed, and it uses a recombination process to prevent the escape of its gasses. What varies with a Gel battery is the electrolyte itself is a thixotropic gelled sulfuric acid.

When comparing a Gel battery to an AGM battery, you will see that the Gel battery&#;s rated capacity will decline much faster than an AGM battery&#;s as the ambient temperature get colder (below 32 degrees F). A Gel battery is also does not perform as well in high rate or starter applications as an AGM, which is why you don&#;t see Gel power sport batteries. On the plus side for Gel, it is more acid limited, giving it a slightly longer service life in some applications. Power Sonic offers Gel batteries in our DCG (Deep Cycle Gel) and our 2-volt OPzV Tubular Gel lines.

AGM VS LITHIUM BATTERIES

There are many differences between AGM and lithium batteries. When it comes to choosing the right battery for your application, you need to understand exactly what you are looking to get out of the battery. Is it a deep cycling application, a high rate discharge application or a float standby application? Does the application already have a built in charger for a specific chemistry? What is your budget? etc..

We at Power Sonic have put together a comprehensive guide to the differences between sealed lead acid batteries and LiFePO4 batteries, this should be able to help you to see whether AGM is the better choice for your application.

To summarize, depending on the application and your budget, you will find the AGM battery to be the more superior battery over flooded battery types due to its lower weight, lower maintenance, and overall enhanced performance. You will also find AGM to be a popular choice over the Gel batteries as they are much more common and usually less expensive. The battle between AGM and lithium batteries will depend on your application and what you are looking to get out of the battery.

If you have any questions about which battery is more suitable for your application, please feel free to call or us.

Growing demand in South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, and India are responsible for rapid growth in the Asia Pacific battery market. This industry is poised to post growth of 9.2%. 

Two significant categories within the deep cycle market that are driving this growth are hybrid and pollution-free electric vehicles. But these batteries have so many more uses. 

The most common type of batteries bought are AGM and flooded batteries. They each excel in specific applications and have their pros and cons. 

Not sure which one is right for your needs? Use this guide to help you decide. 

Deep Cycle Flooded Batteries

These are the traditional batteries that were first used in applications that required a battery. They work by using lead plates that are surrounded by a sulfuric acid electrolyte solution. There are plate separators, but they only separate, the fluid is free to move about the plates. 

Unlike AGM and other types of batteries, flood batteries are not sealed. They do not recombine the gas produced into a liquid. Instead, the gas vents out externally. 

Because these are open vents that allow for internal gas and fluid to flow out, everything can escape through the vents. This includes condensation, steam, and acid.

For more deep cycle agm batteriesinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

Because of this, you&#;ll need to clean the outside of the battery around the vents. Be careful though; acid is extremely harmful to you. 

Flooded batteries do require regular maintenance. You&#;ll need to add water regularly to replenish the lost electrolytes. 

Uses

Typical uses of this type are grid energy storage, and utility. They work best in an application with little vibration or shaking. They are also used in golf carts and forklifts. 

Pros 

These are the most reliable for applications that need a backup power supply. 

They come in the widest variety of shapes and sizes. This makes them ideal for fitting into a wide range of applications that may not accommodate other types of batteries. 

Of all the battery types on the market, they have impressive charge rates for their price. So if you&#;re looking for an affordable, well-performing battery, then this is it. 

Cons 

The biggest con is they required regular maintenance. The lead plates deteriorate when they come into contact with the atmosphere. So as the battery works, the fluid level inside drops and the plates become exposed to air. 

When exposed to air, the plates begin to deteriorate. Once this happens, your battery will corrode and fail. You&#;ll need to buy a new battery after this happens. 

Because these batteries are vented, they are susceptible to the environment they are in. Extreme climates can cause the water to freeze or evaporate faster. This will increase the maintenance needs and shorten the useful life of the battery. 

This design gives them the weakest internal construction of all battery types on the market. They also have very high internal resistance statistics. 

Finally, there is no getting around the fact that these batteries have the potential to create a hazardous environment. Be sure to place yours in well-ventilated location so that there isn&#;t a buildup of hydrogen gas. 

Deep Cycle Absorbed Glass Matte or &#;AGM&#; Batteries 

These batteries have a special glass mat in them that separates the battery plates. It wicks the electrolyte solution away. As it works the fibreglass mat becomes soaked with electrolyte liquid. 

This way, the solution is stored in a &#;dry&#; state. Otherwise, the electrolyte solution would be in a free liquid state to slosh around. If the battery gets damaged or tipped over, the solution won&#;t pour out. 

There is plenty of solution in the fibreglass to run the battery at full capacity. As the battery works, the electrolytes transfer from the glass mat to the battery plates as necessary.

Uses 

AGM batteries are often used in renewable energy applications. Think environmentally friendly systems such as solar or wind power. 

They are also commonly used in electric cars, robotics, or uninterrupted power supply systems. Then finally, they are ideal for certain motorcycles and ATVs. 

Pros 

You will often here these batteries referred to as maintenance-free. This is because they don&#;t require the regular addition of water. 

They tend to perform better than flooded batteries because there is no free liquid. There is also no gassing. 

If you have an application where maintenance is tough, then these batteries are a great solution. You can place the battery and not have to worry about regularly accessing it. 

Because these batteries are packed so tightly inside, they are the most impact resistant. They also have the least internal resistance of your battery options. 

Cons

One downfall to these batteries is that they are temperamental when it comes to charging. If you over or under-charge the battery, you will negatively affect the performance and life of your battery. 

They perform at their peak when they are used in an application that doesn&#;t require more than 50% of their capacity. 

Which Is Right for Your Needs?

Before you decide whether or not a flooded battery or an AGM battery is right for you, consider all of the pros and cons. Think about your intended application and if your battery of choice will work well in that environment.  

Think about the size and shape of the space for the battery; you need it to fit securely. Also, consider your ability to maintain the battery. Think about if you are going to add water to the flooded battery or properly charge the AGM battery. 

Once you make your decision and buy your new battery, be sure to care for it properly. This will ensure that your battery lasts for its entire expected lifespan. 

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