AGM Battery – Advantages and Drawbacks

With the rapid development of technology and the numerous devices that are released seemingly on a daily basis, there is a large variety of batteries that have been created in order to supply the demand for portable sources of power.

Generally, there are two broad classifications of batteries – primary batteries that irreversibly transform chemical energy into electrical energy and are disposable as they cannot be used again once the energy has been depleted and secondary batteries that can be recharged because they have the ability to restore their original composition with the proper supply of electrical energy to the cell.

Most developers and users prefer using secondary batteries due to their numerous advantages. Further, there are broader applications for this type of battery – from using it to power something as small as a cellular phone up until its usage to run motor vehicles. Categorized under the second battery type are the lead-acid batteries that are mainly used for cars. One of the newest developments and now the preferred choice is the AGM battery that boasts of many conveniences that are not available in other battery types.

1. No Spills. The Absorbed Glass Mat battery is considered spill-proof because the electrolyte or battery acid is contained within glass mats that keep the hazardous material trapped in it even if the outer layer of the battery breaks. This is highly beneficial to the environment as battery acid leaks are one of the leading contributors to the contamination of the water table. Also, the fact that the battery cannot spill lowers the risk related to its handling and shipping.

2. Low Maintenance. An AGM battery uses recombinant technology, which means that the oxygen and hydrogen recombine inside the battery. It utilizes a gas phase transfer of oxygen to the negative plates in order to recombine them back into water during the proper process of charging. This prevents any water loss from electrolysis. For owners, this means that they will never have to do a watering over of the battery for its entire life span.

3. Low Self-Discharge. This type of battery has a maximum 3 percent per month discharge rate, which is very low. It means that it can be put into storages for longer periods of time without having to charge them. The reason behind this possibility is that the battery has a very low internal resistance.

The Absorbed Glass Mat battery, unfortunately, is not perfect as it still has a few drawbacks.

1. Higher Cost. Dry cell batteries, like the AGM, cost relatively more than the other variations. This could be one factor that may discourage buyers from purchasing the product.

2. Intolerant to Overcharging. This is perhaps the main weakness of the AGM battery. Because of the fact that you cannot replace the water within the battery, if it becomes overcharged, it loses the electrolyte, which may lead to its failure. Special care has to be taken to ensure that the battery is never overcharged.

Despite the disadvantages presented, the Absorbed Glass Mat battery is still ultimately a better choice, especially for motor vehicles, over the other types. It is just important to be aware of its imperfections so that you can still get the most out of it.

Source by Raffy Chan