an AGM battery facts must read technical publication

[gltriker]

I found this publication on the Yuasa Battery website. It profiles their Conventional lead acid, and AGM type batteries.


Scroll down through the publication to find their AGM battery technical information, starting on the publication page 40.

https://www.yuasabatteries.com/wp-conte ... x78244.pdf

Of greatest interest to me, it answered several general questions I had about the Sears Diehard AGM type battery that has served my trike so well for 4 years.

The ideal AGM charging voltage range, a periodic charging requirement, etc. are spelled out clearly in this publication.

[Whiskerfish]

I don't know what it is but for me battery are hit and miss. Same ones from the same manufacture treated the same way can last 2 years or 7. Last 4 I think have been Yuasa AGM's and overall I have had excellent service from them.

[gltriker]

The subject of battery life is getting more important to me because I'd rather not get stranded on the road away from home on an overnighter trip by myself with a cashed out battery. Sooner or later Murphy might show up unexpectedly?

My 240 miles from home solo international trip to Paris, Ontario earlier this year, and an upcoming solo ride plan to spend at least 1 day/night or more at Saratoga Springs (150 miles from home) are epic journeys for this old, trike riding, quad cane toting man.

[Sagebrush]

I've used Yuasa's batteries in my 1800's since 2002. Its been my experience that they give you plenty of warning when they are getting worn out. They usually start by holding a charge for less and less time. I had to replace one in my wife's trike recently and it started out by holding a charge for no longer than three weeks about a year ago and gradually the time that it would hold a charge reduced until finally when I replaced it the battery about three weeks ago it would only hold a charge for about 3 days.

[Rat]

The problem with all these AGM type batteries is that they are sealed .... therefore their smoke is trapped inside them .... unfortunately after a time the smoke gets stale and since it can't get out to be refreshed the battery develops a type of indigestion and stops working except for the occasional burp ....

Gord

[BlueThunder]

I've been using the Big Crank AGM batteries and they last me 7 years. Available at batterymart.com
Great battery, "tons" of cranking power.

[Toehead]

As far as I am concerned AGMs are almost a requirement for the type of high-vibration applications that are present in a motorcycle. My black bike has one from 2011 that still works with no issues.

[Gowing]

Good stuff Cliff.

[77Gowing]

[urlhttp://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/absorbent_glass_mat_agm][/url

rather than rely on testimonials and unsubstantial claims "like my grandma uses it", I too prefer to read the technical info available. Glad you posted this!

When I went to work on the Hybrid HMMWV, I met the author of this site at a week long battery conference in LV with the AABC (advance automotive battery consortium). He gave me his book Batteries in a portable world. He is the president of CADEX as company that makes battery chargers, instrumentation and battery management systems. For me reading his book as a lay person but employed as an engineer gave me a huge leg up in understanding the complexities of our hybrid battery pack on our system.
A worthwhile read for anyone layman and processional alike.

My two cents on battery life on SLI (starting lighting and ignition) battery applications. The warmer the climate the lower the profit for battery manufacturers in fact insiders will telll you that lead acid batteries are a warranty loser for the mfg in the southwest. Sitting around in high temp is very bad for batteries. I would expect it's worse for AGM batteries because they run hotter than flooded lead acid. AGM batteries are a "starved electrolyte" battery and as such generate more heat than flooded.

Typical percent loss of capacity for lead acid batteries is 10% per month.
Typical percent loss of capacity for Nicad batteries is 30% per month.
Typical percent loss of capacity for NMH batteries is 30% per month.
Typical percent loss of capacity for Li batteries is 10% per month.

The first problem however is to get a battery MFG to explain what "Typical" is.

Where do these losses come from if the battery is just sitting unconnected?....Conduction across its own internal resistance (mili-micro ohms).

Caution: Sealed batteries are not truly sealed, it is a relative term. Flooded LA vent to the environment, AGMs vent through a small valve when pressure builds above certain levels.

Die-Hard batteries just have additional electrolyte in them in increase their usable life and are not actually sealed.
They are only sealed to prevent the PO from opening them and tampering with the electrolyte. Hence they are called maintenance free.

Sorry WF, but this stuff is in my lane of prof experience. Just hope it helps someone.

In general any question you ask a battery MFG gives an answeer of "That depends"

The devil BE in the details!

[Whiskerfish]

I've been using the Big Crank AGM batteries and they last me 7 years. Available at batterymart.com
Great battery, "tons" of cranking power.

My last Big Crank was dead after about 14 months of use. The one before that was 7 years old before it started to fade after sitting a few days. No clue why. Same bike, same operation, same storage.

[77Gowing]

My last Big Crank was dead after about 14 months of use. The one before that was 7 years old before it started to fade after sitting a few days. No clue why. Same bike, same operation, same storage.[/quote]

I don't somehow seem to be able to remember my last Big Crank.

Batteries fade with age too.

[gltriker]

The battery which came in my 2004 F-150 when brand new to me in 2004, finally refused to crank over and start the engine this morning. 12 years of trouble free service is a nice return on a lead acid battery in my book.

[77Gowing]

The battery which came in my 2004 F-150 when brand new to me in 2004, finally refused to crank over and start the engine this morning. 12 years of trouble free service is a nice return on a lead acid battery in my book.

Amen, your state is in what is called a temperate zone and likely contributes to your batteries' long life. In Phoenix I doubt it is common to get twelve years out of an OEM flooded lead acid battery. Another contributor is daily driving.
Flooded lead acid batteries self discharge through their internal resistance while sitting and will loose ~10% capacity if they sit a month. So daily driving helps keep the charge up. In telecommunications flooded lead acid batteries can last up to 25 years, but that is because they are stored and kept at a constant optimal voltage during what is called a float charge. And if they are not used to cover a power outage they will show long life.
At the end of the day, it is how they get used or what their application is that determines a cells life.