AGM Batteries/Dual batteries
Submitted: Monday, Sep 06, 2004 at 21:08
ThreadID:
16077
Views:
5604
Replies:
7
FollowUps:
4
This Thread has been Archived
Member - Jimbo (VIC)
AGM batteries are reputed to charge quickly, and having had one for three months I had the opportunity to check it this morning.
After playing with my 12 volt oven over the weekend my 100 amp AGM was showing 12.38 volts which equates to about 76% charge. This morning's drive to work took 20 minutes, and after letting the battery sit and settle for two hours the voltage was 12.65 or 97% charged.
Therefore it would seem the AGM soaked up about 20 amps in 20 minutes, that's a hell of a charge rate.
Suggestions are that a regular wet cell deep cycle will only accept about 5 amps and will only charge to about 80% capacity from the car. This is where the AGM appears to have a real advantage, and it bloody
well should at three times the price. Also they are not supposed to suffer from sulphation.
And before someone suggests that some AGM's are not true deep cycle batteries (in some cases this is true),
mine is the Lifeline brand and was chosen only after research proved it to be a genuine DC.
I'm very happy so far, see how it lasts over the next few years.
Reply By: paul - Monday, Sep 06, 2004 at 22:08
Monday, Sep 06, 2004 at 22:08
hey Jimbo
My optima yellow top is now 3 years old, at least, going fine. I use it on the fridge and for a 12v pump. Only wish it was 100amps, when it gets put out to pasture i'll be looking at your lifeline range or maybe by then a fuel cell battery might be within reach.
porl
AnswerID:
75416
Follow Up By: Member - Jimbo (VIC) - Monday, Sep 06, 2004 at 22:19
Monday, Sep 06, 2004 at 22:19
Paul,
I have never heard of fuel cell battery, what is it? I'm interested.
FollowupID:
335158
Reply By: Utemad - Monday, Sep 06, 2004 at 22:56
Monday, Sep 06, 2004 at 22:56
My second battery is a NCC70 (?) cranking type battery. Cost zilch as it is leftovers from work and it works great. Will run an 80l combi Engel for 24hrs without charging in the heat of my enclosed ute tray. Will hold -16 easy.
AnswerID:
75427
Reply By: drivesafe - Tuesday, Sep 07, 2004 at 05:37
Tuesday, Sep 07, 2004 at 05:37
Hi jimbo, I’m about to purchase my first AGM battery and have been doing some research as
well and there are some differences between so called true deep cycle batteries and AGMs, but if any one else has some data that contradicts or advances my finding, please jump in as I would like to know more myself.
The major difference is that AGMs do not have any near the storage capacity of a deep cycle battery.
AGMs can be charged in a much shorter time if a charger has the charging capacity.
And this is the main reason I’m getting an AGM, they can apparently be left unused and without being charged for a much longer period than is safe to do with a deep cycle battery.
If anyone has info to the contrary, especially that relates to the unused standing time please let us know.
regards
AnswerID:
75445
Reply By: Taize - Tuesday, Sep 07, 2004 at 06:18
Tuesday, Sep 07, 2004 at 06:18
I read somewhere that an AGM deep cycle battery works best if only discharged to 76%. This seems to be a high number. I was expecting that deep cycle batteries could be discharged far more than that. Any thoughts?
AnswerID:
75446
Follow Up By: Member - Jimbo (VIC) - Tuesday, Sep 07, 2004 at 21:47
Tuesday, Sep 07, 2004 at 21:47
My advice is that any battery will not like a high % of discharge. Keep any battery to 80% capacity and it will last forever.
Unfortunately we all have uses for batteries that take them down to 50% or less. Accordingly we shorten their lives in order to have convenience. Apparently the number of times you punish your battery has a proportionate effect on its life.
I really don't know; I've read a lot and heard many conflicting opinions. I won't be able to comment for at least another two years until I can comment on the longevity. All I know is my current set up serves me
well. However I didn't have a lot of choice, as an in car set up was the only way I could go and I had to opt for a sealed battery, and a decent AGM was my best option.
On balance, if I get two years out of a $300 battery, I reckon it's a small investment; that is if it gives me two years of very good service.
FollowupID:
335355
Reply By: Voxson (Adelaide) - Tuesday, Sep 07, 2004 at 07:52
Tuesday, Sep 07, 2004 at 07:52
What is AGM battery?
AnswerID:
75457
Follow Up By: porl - Tuesday, Sep 07, 2004 at 08:53
Tuesday, Sep 07, 2004 at 08:53
To Voxson - AGM stands for Absorbed Glass Mat as opposed to wet lead acid standard batteries. The differences are ...
well, best you google search or i'll be here all day.
Jimbo - again do a google search if you're really keen, you will be amazed. Fuel cell batteries are what our kids will using to power their fridges to keep their beers cold, and are likely to run cars in the future too. The batteries operate by the insertion of a liquified gas (there are different types about) which result in a far superior and longer lasting output than a conventional lead acid battery or equivalent. So no charging with petrol or 240v source, you squeeze in a gas or whatever it takes.
You can actually buy units in america now for commercial and domestic use but they are very large and very expensive, but new things are always large and expensive. It's just a matter of time.
FollowupID:
335203
Reply By: Taize - Tuesday, Sep 07, 2004 at 21:57
Tuesday, Sep 07, 2004 at 21:57
I was speaking with an auto electrician yesterday about a portable dual battery set up and he said that a marine battery would be fine in the car even when it was charging as fumes were only produced when you used a high voltage for charging.
AnswerID:
75601
Follow Up By: Member - David J. G (WA) - Friday, Sep 10, 2004 at 17:47
Friday, Sep 10, 2004 at 17:47
the marine battery has superior mounts for the plates..top & bottom they do not do
well in an auto application.
I had a coach that used two N200 batties and the charge rate was over 27volt,the alternator had a constant load of aroung 150amps while running the A/c fans..the deep cycle didnt like that and they failed within 12 months..strange marshell only gave them 6mths warrantry...the fuel cell is not the way to go,,,they are too expensive and dont really last much longer than the lead acid...the secret to long life with lead acid is keep them charged,used distilled
water.and keep them out of excessive heat...I always move them away from the engine if possible with thick rubber mounts and secured to prevent vibration.
FollowupID:
335808