The difference between AGM and regular batteries

[ernied]

could someone tell me the difference between a agm battery and regular one.
both of my Hyundai's are the same year 2015 one sonata and a santafe sport.
both have the 2.4 gdi engine.the sonata a agm battery the santafe a regular one
there is quite a difference in price.

 

[Donald]

A normal car battery is a flooded cell lead acid. The AGM is an absorbed glass mat.

They both can function as a car battery. The AGM has some slightly different charging requirements than a normal flooded cell. Some cars can have their ECM programmed to tell it the battery is AGM. AGM is absolutely maint. free and can be tipped over and nothing to spill. No gassing or leakers, getting white corrosion around the terminals.

But AGM costs more.

When you look at the AGM battery that costs more you would think it has a better warranty but in many cases it does not.

AGM does not guarantee a great battery. There are crappy ones made just like flooded cell.

 

[dogememe]

Buy AGM. Great update for any car! They tend to last longer and hold up better for short trips and stuff.

 

[edwardh1]

Originally Posted by dogememe
Buy AGM. Great update for any car! They tend to last longer and hold up better for short trips and stuff.


has there been any 3rd party tests that prove this?
If so please list some.

 

[Yah-Tah-Hey]

Originally Posted by ernied
could someone tell me the difference between a agm battery and regular one.
both of my Hyundai's are the same year 2015 one sonata and a santafe sport.
both have the 2.4 gdi engine.the sonata a agm battery the santafe a regular one
there is quite a difference in price.
Take a look at ODYSSEY AGM/EnerSys manufacturing video.

 

[dogememe]

Originally Posted by edwardh1
Originally Posted by dogememe
Buy AGM. Great update for any car! They tend to last longer and hold up better for short trips and stuff.


has there been any 3rd party tests that prove this?
If so please list some.

Google it.

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted by edwardh1
Originally Posted by dogememe
Buy AGM. Great update for any car! They tend to last longer and hold up better for short trips and stuff.


has there been any 3rd party tests that prove this?
If so please list some.

They definitely last longer for me. Always 7+ years. But when they fail there is no warning.

 

[kschachn]

Originally Posted by dogememe
Google it.

Which definitively shows that it depends on the specific application and may or may not be "better" than a conventional battery.

 

[Uphill_Both_Ways]

The last thing I'd worry about as I hang upside down by my seat belt would be the state of the battery electrolyte.

 

[Zee09]

They are now cheap. So why not?

 

[ernied]

can you switch batteries?in other words replace the agm with a regular battery or vise versa?

 

[ernied]

can you switch a agm battery when to a lead acid when it dies?

 

[bbhero]

If you battery was a flooded battery that came with the vehicle originally then it's better to just stay with a flooded battery... A battery no matter how it's made will only last as long as well as it treated, it's general operating conditions, and it's location.

Pertinent questions are..

How old was the battery when bought??? Was it brand new or had it sat for months with no charge added ??

Did you recharge the battery to 100% if it was old and had sat for months??

Where is the battery located in the vehicle?? Engine bay = hot which shortens battery life... Or is it in the trunk or under a seat?? Equals longer battery life..

Geographic location?? Colder climate= longer battery life... Hotter climate= lower battery life..

What does the charging system of the vehicle do?? Is it only charging when you are off the accelerator in order to save gas mileage?? If yes, this does not help battery life... Or does it actually charge the battery while you are going down the road... If so that can help a good bit.. but over charging can hurt the battery life has well.. it's a balance.

What type of driving are you doing?? Very short trips can be unhelpful in charging the battery. And that is compounded if it's only charging when you are off the gas pedal... Long drives may be helpful if the alternator is actually pushing amps to the battery while cruising...

A AGM or flooded battery life depends upon many factors... But if the vehicle came with a flooded battery it would be just has well to just get that.

 

[KneeGrinder]

In general, yes. What is your application? Automotive, will it "ever" have a possibility of being flipped on its lid?

 

[Wolf359]

Originally Posted by Uphill_Both_Ways
The last thing I'd worry about as I hang upside down by my seat belt would be the state of the battery electrolyte.


How many times has that happened?

But yeah, I'd worry more about the gasoline or another vehicle if I were ever upside down.

 

[JHZR2]

Flooded lead acid to agm is sometimes an upgrade. In an application that was specified for agm, it would not be prudent to switch to flooded, its walking backward in technology, and asking for trouble.

AGM supports heavy loads and self discharge better. There are subtle differences in optimal charging scenarios, but when I put an AGM into vehicles not specified for them, they still ran great for years and years.

 

[MNgopher]

I'll echo that last comment.

I've switched to AGM batteries in several applications that originally called for flooded lead acid, and have had no trouble. Yes, I am aware of the differences in the preferred charging scenarios, but have found in regular use that it has not mattered.

Switched to AGM for the starting battery for my boat as well - been very pleased in that application!

 

[Uphill_Both_Ways]

Originally Posted by Wolf359
Originally Posted by Uphill_Both_Ways
The last thing I'd worry about as I hang upside down by my seat belt would be the state of the battery electrolyte.
How many times has that happened?
Exactly. Only AGM marketers could make a big deal about battery tipping.

 

[henni]

We buy Bosch AGM batteries for all our Hondas from sales at Pep Boys, usually a little over $100 when combined with their online sales and credit card promotions. They also follow-up later with in-store discount coupons ($10,$15,$20 etc) which can be redeemed toward purchases later.

All come with a 4 - year full warranty, Not prorated.

Had to swap one time a battery out at <4 years and it was a no cost, no questions asked transaction at Pep Boys.

 

[chefwong]

Depending on the car and whether the charging system profile will support either/or.
V aside, the float profile is different between the 2/