AGM vs traditional batteries. Are AGM better?
Moderators: notoptoy, S Allen, Solex68
- Linda
- Fraternal Den Mother-RIP
- Posts: 7807
- Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2005 11:37 pm
- Location: Los Angeles
- Model: 1500/1600
- Year: High Windshield-68-70
AGM vs traditional batteries. Are AGM better?
Having seen that RockAuto now offers batteries, I am wondering if the AGM batteries are better. Any experience?
Sadly-Linda has passed away 2022. She was the 311's den mother and drove the first Rare-Parts ball joint project. RIP.
- Alvin
- Roadster Nut-Site Supporter
- Posts: 8337
- Joined: Tue Jan 23, 2007 7:01 pm
Re: AGM vs traditional batteries. Are AGM better?
Great question Linda! I'm curious too. I've had the same Optima yellow top battery in my roadster for 15 years now. I want to know what to replace it with.
Alvin Gogineni
San Jose, CA
1967.5 SPL/SR20
1997 Acura Integra GS-R
2022 Chevy Bolt EUV
zcarblog.com
Instagram
YouTube
My SR20 Build Thread
San Jose, CA
1967.5 SPL/SR20
1997 Acura Integra GS-R
2022 Chevy Bolt EUV
zcarblog.com
YouTube
My SR20 Build Thread
- RCMike
- Roadsteraholic
- Posts: 2460
- Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2012 12:58 pm
- Location: Pomona, CA
Re: AGM vs traditional batteries. Are AGM better?
Don't replace it Alvin. The new ones only last about 3-4 years.. They moved the factory and the new are junk..
- Cyclewrks
- Roadster Fanatic
- Posts: 120
- Joined: Wed Feb 03, 2016 1:30 am
- Location: Nashville, TN area
- Model: 1500/1600
- Year: High Windshield-68-70
Re: AGM vs traditional batteries. Are AGM better?
Big advantage to them is weight and size, they are lighter and smaller. They also are sealed so they don't leak (which means you can mount them in any position, mine is mounted on its side in the trunk) nor do they weep sulfuric vapor (helps cut down on corrosion in trunk mounts). For cars that aren't driven regularly they are said to hold a static charge longer. Not sure if it is true or not but it seems that they hold up to vibration better, back when I raced I had occasional issues with the internal connections between the cells coming loose in standard flooded cell batteries and have never seen it in an AGM.
"Life is not a journey to the grave intent to arrive safely in a pretty, well preserved body-but rather arriving in a broadside skid, thoroughly used up, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming "Damn, what a friggin ride!"- Anon
'70 1600
'70 1600
- Linda
- Fraternal Den Mother-RIP
- Posts: 7807
- Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2005 11:37 pm
- Location: Los Angeles
- Model: 1500/1600
- Year: High Windshield-68-70
Re: AGM vs traditional batteries. Are AGM better?
All sounds good so far. How long do they last? Can you jump start them like a traditional battery?
Battery prices sure went up in the last few years .
Linda
Battery prices sure went up in the last few years .
Linda
Sadly-Linda has passed away 2022. She was the 311's den mother and drove the first Rare-Parts ball joint project. RIP.
-
- Site Supporter
- Posts: 334
- Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2013 12:36 pm
- Location: Redding, CA
Re: AGM vs traditional batteries. Are AGM better?
I had an Optima in my daily driver for about 5 years. Stopped to get gas, and it was dead. No slow cranking, dimming lights, or any warning, just dead. And it could not be jump started. I haven't gone back to them since. However, if mine had lasted 14 years, I would get another, except I wouldn't need to because it would still be working.
John
SRL311-05287
SRL311-05287
- Cyclewrks
- Roadster Fanatic
- Posts: 120
- Joined: Wed Feb 03, 2016 1:30 am
- Location: Nashville, TN area
- Model: 1500/1600
- Year: High Windshield-68-70
Re: AGM vs traditional batteries. Are AGM better?
Jump starting is the same, charging them is similar though certain brands are more finicky than others, they do NOT do well if they are overcharged. That is the quickest way to kill one. Most of the stuff I have seen put the cycle life of an AGM battery at 2+ times that of a conventional battery.
"Life is not a journey to the grave intent to arrive safely in a pretty, well preserved body-but rather arriving in a broadside skid, thoroughly used up, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming "Damn, what a friggin ride!"- Anon
'70 1600
'70 1600
- Alvin
- Roadster Nut-Site Supporter
- Posts: 8337
- Joined: Tue Jan 23, 2007 7:01 pm
Re: AGM vs traditional batteries. Are AGM better?
This is my yellow top Optima:
It has been dead twice from leaving lights on. Other than that no problems for 15 years. I started using a cut-off switch about 5-years ago. Maybe that helped. Recently noticed weaker starts in winter.
It has been dead twice from leaving lights on. Other than that no problems for 15 years. I started using a cut-off switch about 5-years ago. Maybe that helped. Recently noticed weaker starts in winter.
That's unfortunate! Started browsing Braille, Lithium and regular batteries. Also considered hydrogen:
Alvin Gogineni
San Jose, CA
1967.5 SPL/SR20
1997 Acura Integra GS-R
2022 Chevy Bolt EUV
zcarblog.com
Instagram
YouTube
My SR20 Build Thread
San Jose, CA
1967.5 SPL/SR20
1997 Acura Integra GS-R
2022 Chevy Bolt EUV
zcarblog.com
YouTube
My SR20 Build Thread
-
- Roadsteraholic
- Posts: 661
- Joined: Mon Oct 28, 2013 1:59 pm
- Location: Bellingham, Washington
Re: AGM vs traditional batteries. Are AGM better?
comparing agm vs flooded batteries is very similar to comparing synthetic oil to conventional oil...agm is premium technology with improved performance qualities that may or may not be of any real benefit when considering the premium price.
I run a large (group 31) agm battery in my Toyota truck. Its got a winch and other accessories and I rely on the truck in severe weather and in remote areas so I wanted the best. All my other vehicles have premium regular flooded cell batteries.
Optima batteries have been made by Johnson controls for several years now. The people that sold optima still make premium top end batteries under the name odyssey batteries. Premium battery premium price!
Most battery brands are made by a few different manufacturers. They are all rebadged mostly. These days 3-5 years is average life though I still see batteries 8-14 years old that still work. like most things the worse thing for a battery is to let it sit...
I run a large (group 31) agm battery in my Toyota truck. Its got a winch and other accessories and I rely on the truck in severe weather and in remote areas so I wanted the best. All my other vehicles have premium regular flooded cell batteries.
Optima batteries have been made by Johnson controls for several years now. The people that sold optima still make premium top end batteries under the name odyssey batteries. Premium battery premium price!
Most battery brands are made by a few different manufacturers. They are all rebadged mostly. These days 3-5 years is average life though I still see batteries 8-14 years old that still work. like most things the worse thing for a battery is to let it sit...
Dan
1964 Datsun SPL310. The Datsun
1997 Toyota Tacoma LX 4wd. The Truck
2009 Subaru Forester XT.
2017 Toyota AWD Swagger Wagon.
1964 Datsun SPL310. The Datsun
1997 Toyota Tacoma LX 4wd. The Truck
2009 Subaru Forester XT.
2017 Toyota AWD Swagger Wagon.
-
- Roadster Fanatic
- Posts: 136
- Joined: Sat Dec 06, 2014 3:52 am
- Location: Eugene, Oregon
- Contact:
Re: AGM vs traditional batteries. Are AGM better?
Batteries age(die) from sitting with a partial charge. Keep them fully charged between uses and they last a long time. Typically an alternator does a good job of this (on a daily driver). I think agm batteries are more reliable for vehicles that aren't driven daily, or at least weekly. If your looking for something lightweight, any of the big road bike batteries would work. The smaller the battery, the more useful a BatteryTender, or smart charger to keep an eye on it is. I have an on board charger on my boat, so I can just plug it in, considering one for the roadster (:
Michael
Michael
67 1600 > 2600
- SLOroadster
- Roadsteraholic
- Posts: 5351
- Joined: Sun Dec 08, 2002 2:53 am
- Location: Napa Ca
Re: AGM vs traditional batteries. Are AGM better?
I've had a little Odyssey PC680 in my car for a good 15 years. I'm now on my second one, but I think the first one is still good. (I'm going to give it a try in my '59 Alfa when the time comes) I've never had an issue with either battery. I thought the battery was done 10 years ago, but it was the starter that was done. (Replaced the battery and the car still didn't start until I put a new starter in.) A friend of mine has one in his Alfa that sits most of the time. (It might see 50 miles a year) The car always starts and doesn't get run that much.
I'll never run a normal lead acid battery again. There is no point. They are expensive to buy, but they last a LONG time.
Will
I'll never run a normal lead acid battery again. There is no point. They are expensive to buy, but they last a LONG time.
Will
Sorry, I find modern engine swaps revolting. Keep your G, R, or U series in your Roadster!
- pebbles
- Roadster Fanatic-Site Supporter
- Posts: 3925
- Joined: Thu Dec 16, 2010 12:00 am
- Location: Washington
Re: AGM vs traditional batteries. Are AGM better?
Alvin, I had a red top optima in my sand rail for ten years. Fabbed the tray specific. Sadly the new optima didnt fit by about 5mm. So I went with the slightly smaller odyssey.
I also purchased a NOCO genius G3500 charger/tender. Has multiple charge modes, 6v/12v, standard, AGM and Lithium.
I also purchased a NOCO genius G3500 charger/tender. Has multiple charge modes, 6v/12v, standard, AGM and Lithium.
Last edited by pebbles on Wed Jan 17, 2018 4:27 am, edited 1 time in total.
David
"When we were standing next to the motor while on the dyno, and the motor hit VVL, eyes went watery.."
"When we were standing next to the motor while on the dyno, and the motor hit VVL, eyes went watery.."
- pebbles
- Roadster Fanatic-Site Supporter
- Posts: 3925
- Joined: Thu Dec 16, 2010 12:00 am
- Location: Washington
Re: AGM vs traditional batteries. Are AGM better?
No leakage
David
"When we were standing next to the motor while on the dyno, and the motor hit VVL, eyes went watery.."
"When we were standing next to the motor while on the dyno, and the motor hit VVL, eyes went watery.."
- Linda
- Fraternal Den Mother-RIP
- Posts: 7807
- Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2005 11:37 pm
- Location: Los Angeles
- Model: 1500/1600
- Year: High Windshield-68-70
Re: AGM vs traditional batteries. Are AGM better?
So AGM batteries require a different charging mode?I also purchased a NOCO genius G3500 charger/tender. Has multiple charge modes, 6v/12v, standard, AGM and Lithium.
Linda
Sadly-Linda has passed away 2022. She was the 311's den mother and drove the first Rare-Parts ball joint project. RIP.
-
- Roadsteraholic
- Posts: 661
- Joined: Mon Oct 28, 2013 1:59 pm
- Location: Bellingham, Washington
Re: AGM vs traditional batteries. Are AGM better?
Using a "smart" charger like the noco genius is preffered for charging an agm out of the car. Otherwise in the car the alternator doesn't know or care what kind of battery its charging.
Dan
1964 Datsun SPL310. The Datsun
1997 Toyota Tacoma LX 4wd. The Truck
2009 Subaru Forester XT.
2017 Toyota AWD Swagger Wagon.
1964 Datsun SPL310. The Datsun
1997 Toyota Tacoma LX 4wd. The Truck
2009 Subaru Forester XT.
2017 Toyota AWD Swagger Wagon.