Differences Between an AGM and a Regular Car Battery

Differences Between an AGM and a Regular Car Battery

In the recent past, the world has undergone many technological changes, with people becoming more innovative. This has led to the establishment of more functional and durable products than traditional ones. The AGM (absorbed glass mat) battery is an improved battery designed in the early 80s to replace the flooded lead-acid battery. The AGM battery requires little to no maintenance, and it does not spill. On the other hand, a Flooded lead-acid battery is the kind of battery that has been widely used for over one and a half-century. They are also referred to as the wet cell battery for the liquid electrolyte found inside. The battery has been used for various applications, which has served until an alternative of AGM was found.
Below are some differences between an AGM battery and a lead-acid battery.

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Maintenance Requirements

Lead-acid batteries contain an electrolyte that emits gases, necessitating that they be kept in well-ventilated areas for easy maintenance and safe gas emission. In contrast, AGM batteries are maintenance-free and do not emit gases. This makes AGM batteries ideal for vehicles with battery compartments located in less ventilated areas such as trunks and beneath seats.

Durability

Lead-acid batteries are susceptible to vibrations and abrupt movements, resulting in potential damage if exposed for extended periods. Extra caution is needed when mounting them. Conversely, AGM batteries are composed of glass mats and robust battery plates, enhancing their structural integrity and making them resistant to shock and vibration.

Internal Resistance and Power Output

Battery voltage output is influenced by its internal resistance; lower resistance means higher output voltage. AGM batteries have remarkably low resistance, around two percent, contributing to higher power voltage. On the other hand, flooded lead-acid batteries have internal resistance ranging from ten to fifteen percent, making AGM batteries inherently more powerful.

Charging Time

The reduced internal resistance in AGM batteries allows them to charge significantly quicker than lead-acid batteries—up to five times faster. Additionally, AGM batteries handle high power demands more efficiently, providing quicker and more reliable performance.

Longevity and Self-Discharge

With a lower rate of self-discharge, AGM batteries have a much longer lifespan compared to flooded lead-acid batteries. When properly maintained, AGM batteries can last up to seven years, while traditional lead-acid batteries usually last between three to five years. Thus, AGM batteries offer better long-term value.

Conclusion

Based on the differences outlined above, it's clear that AGM batteries provide numerous advantages over traditional lead-acid batteries. Opting for an AGM battery when possible can result in better performance, longevity, and ease of maintenance.

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As of 2022, there are 1.4 billion vehicles globally—606 million in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East alone. And each one of them has a battery. Early cars didn’t have electrical systems and didn’t need batteries. But once the electric starter became common, cars needed rechargeable batteries to turn over the starter.

Enter the Hudson Car Company. In 1918, Hudson began incorporating batteries into its vehicles. Since then, the flooded battery has been the dominant car battery. But times, and technology, have changed. Today, car owners have a choice in batteries: AGM vs standard battery. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each.

Overview: AGM vs Standard Battery

An AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) battery and a standard lead-acid, flooded battery share several similarities. Both batteries use the same basic chemistry. Submerging lead plates into an electrolyte solution (water and sulfuric acid) produces free electrons that can be captured and used.

That same chemical reaction also produces hydrogen and oxygen. So far, so good. But when the batteries are being charged, they produce hydrogen sulfide—a dangerous gas.

Two major differences between AGM and flooded batteries are safety issues. How is the electrolyte (battery acid) contained? And how are the gases the battery produces controlled?

Other differences are lifespan, starting power, maintenance, and shock resistance. And in these areas, AGM batteries come out on top.

Let’s take a deeper dive into the comparisons between AGM and flooded automotive batteries.

Standard Flooded Battery Design

Flooded batteries literally have a reservoir containing electrolyte (sulfuric acid). And battery acid is caustic. It burns skin, ruins clothes, and can cause blindness. And since the electrolyte needs topping off with distilled water periodically, flooded batteries have caps over the cells.

Needless to say, the caps can leak. For that reason, flooded batteries have to be installed (and kept) upright.

Because lead-acid batteries vent directly to the atmosphere, they emit explosive gases when charging. Therefore, installation only in well-ventilated areas is essential.

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If left unused, lead-acid batteries self-discharge at six to seven percent of capacity per month. Finally, because of their design, flooded batteries don’t tolerate vibration or impact well, making them more prone to damage.

AGM Battery Design

AGM batteries use porous microfiber glass mats (the Absorbed Glass Mat) to separate the battery's negative and positive plates.

AGM batteries don’t have a reservoir of battery acid. Instead, the mats are saturated with enough electrolytes to stimulate the chemical process and activate the battery. The mats' fibers are also embedded into the negative and positive plates. That gives added structural strength, making AGM batteries resistant to vibration and impact damage.

When your AGM battery is charging, and oxygen is produced, pressure release valves recombine the oxygen with the hydrogen internally. This replenishes the electrolyte, making AGMs maintenance-free.

AGMs also self-discharge at much lower rates—roughly three percent a month.

Why AGM Batteries are a Better Choice

The design differences between AGM and standard flooded batteries are at the heart of why AGMs are a better choice. So let's run through all of the pros and cons of AGM batteries. Then, you’ll see why replacing your standard battery with an AGM makes a lot of sense.

Zero Maintenance

Because AGMs are sealed and never require the electrolyte to be topped off, you can install an AGM and never worry about it. That also means more flexibility in where AGMs can be mounted. Combine zero maintenance with no fumes, and AGMs can be installed in less ventilated areas.

AGMs are Safer

AGMs are far safer than flooded batteries because they are sealed and don’t emit dangerous fumes. Remember the caustic battery acid and the explosive fumes lead-acid batteries produce? Switching to AGM batteries eliminates those dangers.

Far Less Risk of Spillage

No, you can’t install AGMs upside down. But you also don’t have to keep AGMs perfectly upright either. Because AGMs are sealed, there’s no worrying about battery acid spilling out every time you move or tip one.

Higher Power and Lower Resistance

AGMs' lower internal resistance (under three percent) means the battery produces more power. Compare that to 10–15 percent internal resistance in a standard battery.

The lower resistance also means not as much heat is produced. And lower resistance has another benefit: it makes AGMs perform better under heavy loads than flooded batteries.

Less Sensitive to Vibration and Impact

The nature of AGM construction means that the sensitive lead plates are far better protected. As a result, vibration and impacts that would damage a standard battery are far less likely to damage an AGM. This adds up to a broader range of applications, including construction and off-road vehicles, motorcycles, and race cars.

Faster Charging

Remember AGMs' lower internal resistance? Apart from the other benefits, lower resistance means charging AGMs is almost five times as fast as standard batteries.

Longer Life Span

Under similar conditions, an AGM battery will have nearly twice the lifespan of a flooded battery. A well-maintained standard battery should last between one and two years. An AGM? Three years and more.

AGM Batteries: the Cons

There are two. The first is that AGMs are more sensitive to overcharging. This means using a regulated (smart) charger. The second is that AGMs cost more upfront.

In reality, AGMs' longer lifespan, plus all the other benefits, make them the cost-effective choice when it’s time to replace your car’s battery.

Bottom Line: AGMs are the Right Choice

Now that you know the differences between an AGM vs a standard battery, the choice is clear. With an AGM, you’ll get a longer battery lifespan and a maintenance-free experience. Furthermore, AGM batteries are more rugged, produce more power, and are safer—no dangerous fumes and no caustic acid spills.

Make the right choice. Contact RB Battery to determine which AGM battery is best for your application. Their headquarters staff, located in Bangkok, Thailand, will be happy to answer all of your questions.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit What is an AGM battery?.