Battery Question (AGM batteries)

flm270

How do the AGM batteries perform compared to traditional lead acid batteries that require you to add water. I have read about the AGM and some what understand the differences, but my question is,

1. Will you get more run time out of a 48 v system using AGM compared to a high quality traditional lead acid battery that requires adding water?

2. Can they be recharged as many times as a traditional lead acid battery?

3. If my traditional lead acid batteries last me 4 or 5 years can I expect the AGM batteries to last as long or longer since the cost is about 2x that of a traditional lead acid battery?

4. Is anyone using them in their cart that share their experience?

Thank you for any input?

BGW

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scottyb

My battery distributor tells me they do not last as long as conventional batteries... they do vent, so they eventually dry up. That is what I was told.

GarageBuilt

#1. NO !!!!

#2. NO !!!!

#3. Yes & N0 !!!!

#4. I use the Odyssey AGM in all of my carts...

#5. The AGM battery will only vent when it is over charged.. Not good for any battery!!!!!!!

The AGM Battery is a high amp fast discharging cranking battery with the capabilities of a deep cycle battery.. It gives you the high cranking amps with the ability of the charging & discharging of a deep cycle battery... The AGM battery will not give you the run time that a Trojan battery or as many of cycle times.. But if you stay within the cycle life of the AGM battery.. IT can last 3x's the life of a Trojan.. The question here is in 5 years how many times will you discharge & charge your batteries ?? If you are looking for instant power.. Which I am... Than go with the AGM battery... If you are looking for run time... Than go with a good deep cycle golf cart battery..

flm270

I wonder why the 2011 Stealth is using AGM batteries and claiming more distance? I know it is 64 Volt but how are they claiming to get get more run time and I wonder why they would not use lead acid battery?

Not sure how many time I will discharge my batteries in a year. I primarily use to hunt and check cameras from Sept to Feb. Does running the batteries down 50% or less and putting it back on charge when you get back home count as a cycle?

roady89

NEVER run a battery down to 50% capacity or less. Thats a deep discharge and will hurt batteries. Higher voltage is more efficient....to a point. 64 volts is more efficient than 36 or 48. Thats probly what their claim is based on.
Here is their claim on their spec sheet.
Which really isn't that much more.

flm270

So you end up with batteries that will not run as long on a charge and you will have to replace the pack sooner that cost twice as much as lead acid batteries?

I think I will move forward with my plans to put in a hiperv ac electrical system.

Any one have any input on the ac electrical system?

dougmcp

AGM batteries have some advantages but cost is not one of them and cost is why golf carts use them as opposed to AGM's.

AGM's should not be confused with GelCell batteries as they made differently and have different characteristics.

AGM batteries are vibration resistant, can stand a deeper discharge than standard lead acid batteries, have less loss from self discharge and when properly maintained have a longer lifespan. They charge the same as a lead acid, they don't stratify, they don't need to be equalized and they are not adversely affected when frozen.

My money is still on lead acid in the "Bang for your Buck" category. IMO AGM batteries are much better than lead acid batteries but the cost can not be justified but for a cart.

smallblock450sl

Just another input guy's. We built a "spec" cart for the Anchorage airport. They wanted AGM batteries (I can understand why) and my Trojan rep and others said you "MUST" have a charger specific to the AGM type batteries. We went with the Lester E series charger because we were told by Lester, it is compatable with the batteries charging needs. Yamaha could not say for shure if there charger would work with the AGM perameters. Hate spending all the money for maintance free batteries and have the wrong charger damage them. Just another added expense assosiated with them. Any input guy's?

dougmcp

AGM and lead acid batteries can be charged at the same rate. Gel Cell batteries can not take the high input and need to be charged more slowly with a cutoff at a level less than the boiling/venting stage. Like AGM batteries, Gel Cells don't stratify either so equalizing is not important for them to maintain a full charge.