Which Brand of AGM should I Buy?

I think you should buy a Waeco.

Mike Harding

Let me re-phrase:-
Any advice with regard to which brand of battery or which is the best brand for performance will be appreciated.

Thank you for the clarification.

Upon further consideration - I think you should buy an Engle.

Mike Harding

I bought a Remco AGM from Battery World - one branch was cheaper than Whitworths, another was dearer.

Mike

I bought a Remco and am happy with it - has served me well for about 18 months so far - cannot fault it.

Some swear by Fullriver and the more expensive brands - Remco is a cheaper brand - might get 400 cycles with a Remco rather than 550 with Fullriver - for me the cost advantage of the Remco won out.

Why do you want an AGM? Their main advantage is that they dont discharge gas but if it's going uder the bonnet then that's not important or have I missed something. Does the Hilux use an AGM as standard? Just asking as if you don't need an AGM then you could be saving youself $200.

Adrian

Scott,

I've got a Lifeline (these are the dearest) in the back of the car; it's been there for 20 months and is superb. It's main job is to run an 80L fridge and has been excellent. According to the bloke at Federal batteries it is expected to last more cycles than the REMCO, other than that performance is similar.

I recently got a new camper and put a REMCO in there as it is only to power lights and based on discussions with Blue and Moggs I didn't reckon it was worth the extra expense for another Lifeline. You can pick up a 100 amp REMCO for about $260 if you bargain.

Cheers,

Jim.

If going for price vs performance vs weight go the Fullriver AGM HGL ,, Notice the HGL ???? Its a true hybrid battery ,not a "deep cycle " and not a starting but a combination of both ,,in the 80 amp range a HGL weighs approx 5kg less than straight AGM , run 5x of same so am "saving" 25kg or roughly the weight of 1 batt.

Hi Scott,

I've got a Fullriver 95amp/hour under the bonnet of my GQ, and am very happy with it. For good advice and outstanding service contact Val at Fridge and Solar

Cheers,
Jezza

I also read through the archives but came away thinking Gel was the better choice.

Had an AGM previously - I went with a Gel this time. Can still mount it inside the vehicle.

Gel is apparently more suited to frequent cycling and more tolerant of not being charged back up immediately.

AGMs are good for holding a charge and sitting around. - e.g if it doesn't get a lot of use.

Basically couldn't see any reason why not to get a Gel.
my 2c

I have two Fullriver 120AHs on the CT. Great so far, but still pretty new. One is about 12 months old, the other 7 months. Ask again in a couple of years and I'll give a better response.

Scott, for what it's worth, I'm going to buy a new battery system this or next week for the winter sojourn.

My second choice is a Fullriver AGM 210 a/h and first choice is a Shenzhen AGM 200 a/h because it has really good technical specifications and has a design life rated at 10 years.
Both look very similar with the lugs on one end and each weigh at least 65 KG.
I can get either for a similar decent price so price is not relevant to the equation.

Fullriver and Shenzhen both make the more 'normal' sized AGM DC batteries.

**Beware** - not all AGM batteries are actually Deep Cycle batteries.

Read the charging specs of your existing DC battery and compare with the new AGM if you are going to either charge or wire them in parallel?

AGM's don't like the heat, so leave your wet cell under the bonnet and put the AGM under the tray.

I stock Vision AGM's and have had no problems. Check there web site for more info.

VISION

Regards Derek from ABR ABR

Re comment that 'not all AGM batteries are deep cycle'.

I feel it is more correct to say that 'not all AGM batteries are sold as deep-cycle'.
In practice all AGM batteries have deep-cycle characteristics in that they are less damaged by repeated deep discharges than are starter batteries.

The opposite statement 'that not all AGMs are starter batteries' is probably closer to reality. In practice any AGM battery above (say) 70 Ah has more than enough grunt to start an engine. Some vendors do produce small AGMs specifically for starter use - and I'm sure these would also work fine as deep-cycle batteries - but may not be store enough energy to be useful for more than a short time.

Re gel cell batteries. I think a realistic view is that for automobile and RV purposes AGM batteries are logical successors of gel cells batteries - but not necessarily for applications such as storing energy from large scale solar arrays.
Collyn Rivers

AGM's used to be ridiculously expensive.....that is changing. (They were developed for the military as they were so damage tolerant)

I have two FullRiver AGM's in my van and love them- outstanding so far in every respect, about one year old.
Suffice to say the next "starting" battery in my Patrol (hopefully a year or so away yet) will almost certainly be AGM and most likely FullRiver.
Cheers