Batteries have many uses and many people like me I believe rely on batteries to have various jobs done like for example if you want to start your car and power on some equipment you will definitely need a battery.
One of the well-known batteries is the AGM battery and, in this article, we will discuss into detail the advantages and disadvantages of the AGM batteries.
Having been in the battery business for a while now, there are advantages that I have learnt overtime with the AGM batteries. I am so excited to share with you some of these interesting advantages as well as some disadvantages of the batteries
Advantages of AGM Batteries
Free-Maintenance Operation
Imagine dealing with an acid spill from a regular lead-acid battery. The experience just sucks right? Now when dealing with AGM batteries that will be a thing of the past because they are completely sealed and you will no longer have to deal with electrolyte maintenance. With these giants at hand, you say goodbye to messy acid spills.
Improved Safety Features
If you have the opportunity to explore this website, I believe you have come across safety measures when handling batteries. In every activity you are involved in, your safety is the top priority.
Now the AGM batteries are safer compared to the traditional batteries. Their risk to explosion is quite low and this makes them ideal for use everyday and therefore no need to get worried about any dangers.
Deep Cycle Capability
When it comes to deep cycle capability, the AGM batteries are the giants in the battery field. They can handle frequent discharging and this means even when the power is out, you can still keep doing your activities.
If you are a person who is into boating and camping or even having an off-grid set up then the AGM batteries is what you need to look for.
Let me share an interesting experience. During last summer I went for a camping trip and took my AGM battery along. Do you know we used the battery to power lights, the camping fridge and a fan? Interestingly, the battery lasted a whole weekend!
Quick Recharging
Imagine having only one lead-acid battery and its out power and you have to wait for it to recharge to get back to your activities. It irritates right?
Now, with the AGM batteries you are sorted because they charge up way faster than the traditional lead-acid batteries. So even when they are out of power, they recharge very fast and within no time you can be able to use them.
Versatility
The AGM batteries are very versatile meaning they can be used for many applications and that is their beauty. Be it that you need your vehicle started or your RV’s equipment powered on then the AGM batteries got you. They will have the tasks done.
Low Self-Discharge Rate
Have you ever picked up a device with a dead battery simply because you forgot to have it charged? With AGM batteries you are sorted because they lose power slowly when not in use and this means they give a longer shelf life and saves you a lot.
Imagine at one given point, I left my AGM battery-powered flashlight while on in the garage and it stayed on for quite some time like months. When I needed it, I was certain that it would be out of power and guess what it still worked like nothing had happened. I was really amazed by this!
Improved Vibration Resistance
The AGM batteries are a gem for adventurous individuals because they are very ideal for bumpy rides. As compared to the traditional batteries, AGM batteries can handle vibrations and shocks much better.
Environmentally Friendly
Being aware of our environment and keeping it non-polluted should be one of our priorities. AGM batteries have less hazardous materials which means they are friendly to the environment. Their components can also be recycled when its time to do a replacement.
Better Cold Weather Performance
The performance of the traditional batteries is affected by extreme weather conditions. When it comes to AGM batteries you are sorted even during cold weather. They maintain high cranking power even when its cold and therefore you are sure that your car will start even in the chilly winter mornings.
High Power Density
When dealing with limited-space equipment, AGM batteries will come to your rescue. They are light in weight and very compact, they are also packed in a higher energy storage capacity.
Disadvantages of AGM Batteries
Advantages comes with disadvantages as well. Let us now dive into the disadvantages of the AGM batteries!
Limited Life Cycle
If you are a heavy battery user, then You will need to replace your AGM battery sooner than you thought. They might not have the longest lifespan when we now look at the charge-discharge cycles.
After a number of years of using my AGM battery as a power source for my off-grid cabin, I realized it was not holding charge as it used to before. It is therefore worth keeping in mind that after years of frequent deep cycling and heavy usage the battery reduced its performance
Higher Cost
It is said that quality comes at a price, right? This applies even to the AGM batteries because they are quite costly compared to the traditional lead-acid batteries. However, even with the high cost, be sure to enjoy its advantages and while buying one, consider it as an investment!
Sensitivity to Overcharging
Make sure you use the right charger to avoid overcharging the battery. AGM batteries when exposed to excessive charging voltage, can get destroyed because they are kind of sensitive when it comes to charging.
Limited High-Temperature Tolerance
Excess heat can affect the performance of these batteries. Those living in hot areas should keep in mind that with time, the performance if the battery will reduce.
Lower Charge Acceptance Rate
As the battery charges at the latter stages, they take longer to fully recharge and here is where your patience will be needed.
Capacity Reduction with Age
Just like any other battery decline in capacity with time is expected. As time goes and the battery is in use, its capacity also reduces and so you need to understand this and also know the importance of battery health.
Conclusion
AGM batteries are a gem. We have explored the advantages and disadvantages and for sure they are worth your coin because they are ideal for a wide range of applications starting from having your car started up to camping.
The only thing you need to do is to keep in mind about the disadvantages that comes with the batteries which are quite a few So why don’t you go ahead and purchase an AGM battery!