AGM Batteries

• What are AGM batteries?

AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) batteries are a kind of advanced lead-acid battery made to offer superior power to support the higher electrical demands of today’s vehicles as well as start-stop applications. An AGM battery features fiberglass mesh between the battery plates which serves to contain the electrolyte and separate the plates. Both types of VRLA batteries offer advantages and disadvantages compared to flooded vented lead-acid (VLA) batteries or each other.

• What is a deep-cycle battery?

A deep-cycle battery is a battery designed to be regularly deeply discharged using most of its capacity. A deep cycle battery is actually a kind of lead-acid battery that can provide steady power over a long time and work reliably until it’s 80% discharged or more. Deep cycle batteries are also well-known as marathon runners in all kinds of batteries.

• What is the difference between AGM and lead acid batteries?

AGM is also a type of lead-acid battery. Being developed for years, AGM batteries perform better and are safer than traditional lead acid batteries. Besides, AGM is known for its long working periods. But the charging time is the most significant difference between deep cycle and lead acid batteries. An AGM battery only takes several minutes to fully charge, called “fast charge” while lead acid ones need hours to charge 100%.

• Which automotive battery is better, AGM or flooded?

Compared to traditional flooded batteries, AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) batteries have a higher power density, which means they can perform better where high power will be expected. Also, AGM ones are best for applications that are difficult to maintain, as there’s no free liquid and minimal gassing in Absorbent Glass Mat batteries. Being wildly used in automotive, AGM has long working periods than flooded ones, thus making your cars run longer.

• Which batteries are better for solar applications, Gel or AGM?

Both Gel and AGM batteries are suitable for solar applications, where frequent cycling will be needed. AGM and Gel batteries can offer high power density, which means they can output high power for different applications. However, Gel batteries perform better in extreme weather as they contain a narrow gel structure than AGM’s,  a larger internal group also enables Gel batteries to run reliably in extreme climates.