APR 09, 2021 Pageview:1053
An Absorbent Glass Mat battery (AGM) is a type of valve-regulated lead-acid battery (VRLA) which is commonly known as a sealed lead-acid battery. It is designed with fiberglass mesh between the battery plates which holds the electrolyte and separates the plates. They offer many advantages than other batteries including the fact that it can be mounted in any orientation and requires less maintenance.
They find application in off-grid power systems where large amounts of storage are needed at a lower cost than other low maintenance technologies. AGM batteries are leakproof even when damaged or in an inclined position; uncontrollable battery acid leakage is rare. By so doing, it protects people and the environment from the harmful effects of the acid.
AGM batteries are often used in modern vehicles that rely on the optimum performance of the battery. Cars with automatic start-stop systems and increased power requirements use these batteries. The battery is charged using energy recovered from the braking system since they provide a high, constant cold start current.
If your car has retrofitted systems like entertainment systems or navigation devices, consider using an AGM battery. Besides, if you regularly drive for short distances, use an AGM battery as the alternator does not have enough time to sufficiently charge your battery. AGM batteries can cope with extreme weather conditions and can be recycled.
Many modern motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on the market use AGM batteries to reduce the likelihood of acid spilling during cornering or after accidents and for packaging reasons. As vehicles become equipped with more electronic devices such as navigation and stability control, AGM batteries are employed to lower total vehicle weight and provide a better electrical supply than flooded lead–acid batteries.
Sealed AGM Battery Deep Cycle
AGM technology became famous as a sealed lead-acid battery for military aircraft, vehicles, and UPS to reduce weight and improve reliability. To make the battery spill-proof, the electrolyte is absorbed by a fine fiberglass mat.
In a sealed AGM battery, the electrolyte is held in the glass mats. This glass fiber is woven into a mat to increase surface area to hold enough electrolyte on their cells for their lifetime. The plates in an AGM battery can be flat or rolled. A deep cycle sealed AGM battery is designed to regularly deeply discharge using most of its capacity.
They are more resistant to self-discharging than other batteries within a wide range of temperatures. To maximize an AGM battery's life, it is essential to follow the manufacturers charging specifications, and the use of a voltage-regulated charger is recommended.
These batteries have meager internal resistance and capable of delivering high currents when needed. It also offers long service life and is lighter than the flooded lead-acid type. The AGM batteries are less prone to sulfation and can sit in storage for longer before charging is required. The battery can withstand low temperatures and has a low self-discharge. AGM batteries offer a depth-of-discharge of 80%. Most AGM batteries are medium in size and range from 30 to 100Ah.
Being sealed, AGM lowers the weight for the same performance, reduces acid spilling in an accident, and allows installation at odd angles. They are also found in robotic applications and marine as they offer good performance at cold temperatures.
Sealed AGM Battery Maintenance
If you fancy a long-lasting AGM battery for your car or other applications, proper maintenance guidelines must be followed.
Proper storage of your AGM battery- Store your battery in a place with good ventilation and ensure the AGM battery is placed in a cool and dry place. You must not keep your battery in a discharged state, as this will lead to sulfation.
Do not overcharge your AGM battery-AGM batteries are sensitive to overcharging. A charge to 2.40V/cell is acceptable; however, the float charge should be reduced between 2.25 and 2.30V/cell. The lifetime of your AGM battery can be significantly reduced due to undercharging. Therefore, the manufacturer's instructions on AGM battery charging should be adhered to.
Using the correct charger- The manufacturer of your AGM battery will recommend a suitable charger for the battery. The manufacturer's charger ensures the recommended voltage to the AGM battery without undercharging or overcharging. Using the wrong charger can lead to sulfation and damage to your battery.
Prevent sulfation. This is done by keeping your AGM battery charged during and before storage. In case sulfation occurs on the AGM battery, you should use a desulfation charge to remove the sulfation. It would be best if you also used the AGM battery recommended charger to lower the impact of sulfation.
Deep cycle AGM batteries should never really discharge to below 20% of their total capacity as internal resistance causes excessive heat and damage when recharging. Trying to charge a deep cycle battery beyond its electrical capacity, i.e., overcharging, can also lead to leakage, a battery explosion, or irreversible damage.
GM and other sealed batteries do not like heat and should be installed away from the engine compartment.
Sealed AGM Battery Leaking
An AGM is made up of small thin fiberglass strands that have been woven into a mat. The absorbent glass mat is placed between plates and compressed, then soldered in place. Due to the tight compartments within the battery, sealed lead-acid batteries are resistant to induced vibrations.
When a sealed lead-acid battery with AGM technology is cracked, the absorbent glass mat is designed to hold the acid and not leak. Sealed AGM batteries contain enough liquid to make the mat absorb the battery electrolyte, and when the AGM battery is damaged, no free liquid is available to leak out.
Conclusion
Sealed AGM batteries are widely used because of their excellent performance. AGM batteries have a long shelf life and are not maintained constantly. It is advisable to follow your manufacturer's guide on usage and maintenance for these batteries' increased life span. In case you suspect the battery is damaged, contact your manufacturer to fix the problem. The AGM batteries are now finding broader applications with advancing technology, especially in cars.
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