AGM battery?

[Dean2]

I understand that heat can have negative effects.

However, the last two factory batteries lasted for 9 years in my 2004 , then 8 years for my 2014.

The 04 , was a construction use vehicle, it would be driven short distances,and shut off and restarted dozens of times a day .
In between it might have sat with the radio cranked for a couple hours.


I live in south fl. It is summer year round.

I was born in Pa., where it seemed like every 2 or 3 years was time for a new battery.

Maybe I have just been lucky enough to get one of those batteries that was properly assembled ?

Every time I see these temperature charts , I have to question the accuracy.

But my wife buys Asian cars , for higher mpg.
These tend to eat batteries for me.
If I get two years I feel like that’s about the best I’ll get.

So you got very good performance and life out of your lead acid factory batteries, despite the heat. Do you think AGM would have lasted enough longer to be worth the extra cost?

As far as the life chart, I get on average 100 to 140 months on our batteries, despite the chart saying to expect 51 months. Thus I agree, it seems pretty pessimistic, but I also park in a garage and take good care of my batteries, as in put them on a trickle charge if they won't run for more than a month, so my results may not be completely representative. I do know the warranty on batteries in the states is WAY shorter than here in Canada and I have been told, that is to account for the hot weather States, so I presume the hot weather effect happens to quite a few people.

 

[62Blazer]

I'm not sold on the AGM batteries and won't pay the premium price for them. The AGM battery first came out the main advantages was that they were not as susceptible to vibration and would not spill like a traditional battery. This means they were better suited for really rough conditions like off-road racing (the originally military and construction type environments). There was not benefit in regards to "power".....and any type of halfway normal driving was not an issue with a regular battery. What originally started as a battery that was better for a few specific reasons (vibration, etc..) has turned into people thinking the battery is better in every way.

 

[LouM]

I'm not sold on the AGM batteries and won't pay the premium price for them. The AGM battery first came out the main advantages was that they were not as susceptible to vibration and would not spill like a traditional battery. This means they were better suited for really rough conditions like off-road racing (the originally military and construction type environments). There was not benefit in regards to "power".....and any type of halfway normal driving was not an issue with a regular battery. What originally started as a battery that was better for a few specific reasons (vibration, etc..) has turned into people thinking the battery is better in every way.

That is your prerogative, I have been well impressed with them for one major reason the complete lack of corrosion on the terminal and cables. With price and complexity of many of the battery cables today that "minor" corrosion could and would being on a multitude of issues.
Many years when I was swapping batteries between units the none spill was a great feature.
And we won't mention battery trays and inner fenders rusted away from spilled acid and condensed fumes from charging.

 

[04fxdwgi]

I believe the biggest consumer of AGM's now is industrial UPS and -48VDC battery plants used in telecom and data centers. Main plus? SEALED....

Have worked on so many big UPS systems, I can't count them. And the battery plant for a 750 KW UPS is HUGE.

Some users buy them in bulk of the hundreds and have charging facilities build just for the in-house inventory that is on hand for replacements.
Mfgrs claim 10 year life span, but our testing shows BS on that claim.

 

[Dusty]

Our ATVs love AGM batteries. They get new one's every two years.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 143712 miles.

 

[Kabitz]

Yes.
Walmart has a great price and warranty on Everstart AGM batteries.

 

[Rlaf75]

I dont know where you live but here in New England I have AGM batteries in everything and never had a problem

 

[Schotzy]

Need to replace my standard battery. Should I "upgrade" to an AGM? Any advice appreciated. 2014 1500 SLT, 5.7 Hemi. Normal electrical requirements . . .no winches, light bars, etc. on truck.

I just upgraded to a AGM in my 22 Power Wagon. Was well worth the investment as these things are rolling computers now a days.

 

[Dean2]

I just upgraded to a AGM in my 22 Power Wagon. Was well worth the investment as these things are rolling computers now a days.

So can you explain in detail what the AGM does so much better than the original lead acid battery? I would really like to know.

 

[Schotzy]

So can you explain in detail what the AGM does so much better than the original lead acid battery? I would really like to know.

I’m currently in Florida and as it was explained to me, the AGM battery holds up better to the extreme heat in the summer. I also was told the AGM battery can handle all of the electronics and after market lights better. Now this could be a load of crap, but it was only $60 more,so I went for it.

 

[Mark4]

Take a look at Deka batteries. Well established large company, made in USA, and probably the best batteries readily available.

 

[Dean2]

I’m currently in Florida and as it was explained to me, the AGM battery holds up better to the extreme heat in the summer. I also was told the AGM battery can handle all of the electronics and after market lights better. Now this could be a load of crap, but it was only $60 more,so I went for it.

The part about them lasting better in heat is actually true. You only paid $60 more, which I am guessing is about 30%, so that may actually pay off in longer service life. Here AGM is 65% more than the lead acid version and they will never live enough longer to make that pay.

The part about the handing the electronics and after market lights better, to put it politely, is a salesman's exaggeration. They do however tolerate being used with a winch better than lead acid, if you use a winch enough to warrant the extra cost of the AGM. I use my winch a fair bit, but not enough to pay for the AGM

 

[Gregory McKinley]

I switched this year to an AGM battery. Bought it at Walmart a whole lot cheaper than anywhere else that I had researched. I did a lot of research to switching and found that most say all the newer autos and trucks benefit using AGM due to all the electronics and lighting eating power. I am thinking cost is why they did not install AGM at factory. My factory battery took a dump 5 months after I bought the truck. The second battery (flooded lead acid) lasted around 5 years or so. This new AGM is the test, we will see!!!!!!! I ran an Optima Yellow top in my Mustang for 11 years before it failed.

 

[HM_SanDiego]

In my experience, whether lead-acid or AGM, I get 4-5 years out of an automotive battery - I am in Southern California. In my experience, i shop lowest price and ease of access for replacement if/when needed.

I completely agree with the several posts that point out - extreme weather conditions plays a huge part in the longevity of auto batteries, take the feedback from folks in your climate area to heart.

The very best/longest lasting auto battery I personally ever had was an oem battery that came in a 2008 BMW Convertible I had - that oem AGM BMW branded battery lasted 14 years.

My 2018 Ram oem battery died at about 5 years on the nose. I have been a fan of Costco as many have also indicated - their price has consistently been the best/lowest. When my Ram oem battery gave up, i was driving home from Arizona, and i decided to stop on my way home and replace in a parking lot - Costco was closed, so I opted for Walmart - still priced very well, and nationwide warranty replacement availability. As I recall the AGM battery i got at the time was about $150-$170 out the door, so total time/duration remains to be seen.

A quick search (H7) just now of 2 local fairly common auto parts stores shows lead acid and AGM battery options both starting around $179 and going up (autozone & o’ Reilly) - and warranties are 2-4 years.

Walmart offers the H7 lead acid and AGM as well - $109/$159 for lead acid and $189 for AGM, with 2-4 year warranty.

As a few posts have offered, you can go “up” to an H8 series battery by simply removing the battery tray block, and gain higher cold cranking amps (cca) and theoretically larger = more amp-hours, for about the same price as the comparable H7 battery.

If Costco is an option for you - and convenient =

 

[Light299]

Absorbed Glass Mat batteries offer better vibration resistance (and obviously an inability to spill) due to their gel electrolyte and rigidly held electrodes. This different electrode configuration opens up possibilities for new configurations and thinner size (allowing more electrodes/surface area in a given volume). This is why Optima's actually were spiral wound and for a given group size an AGM generally has higher CCA and Ah capacity.

BTW, these days almost all automotive batteries are made by one company. In general they also use recycled lead of "reasonable" purity for the electrode plates. HOWEVER, they are not pure lead - there are impurities mixed in. These impurities corrode (at a rate dependant on temperature and operating profile) and plates crack. Depending on where in a plate failure occurs the result can be anything from a minor loss in capacity to an internal short. An AGM battery protects against this to some degree as the electrodes are captive. Still can be a problem though.

FWIW, I had a DD in Phoenix that ate liquid lead acid batteries every 2 years like clock work. Tried all sorts of brands. Put in an AGM Optima (back when they were made in the US) and it lasted 10 years till I sold the car.

About 5 years into the Optima on the DD I bought one for my other car (considering 4 years life to have justified the extra cost). By THAT time I was getting an Optima from the Mexico factory after they got acquired. Now granted the grage queen was on a tender, but it did have an AGM setting and got far less heat abuse. Lasted 18 months.....

How it's made matters more than the technology but in general the AGMs will tolerate more abuse. Lithium Iron Phosphate will be the next thing till solid state.

 

[tunebethune]

Need to replace my standard battery. Should I "upgrade" to an AGM? Any advice appreciated. 2014 1500 SLT, 5.7 Hemi. Normal electrical requirements . . .no winches, light bars, etc. on truck.

Read This and then you decide . Great question , personally, I would not .https://rxmechanic.com/agm-battery/

 

[truck2014]

So you got very good performance and life out of your lead acid factory batteries, despite the heat. Do you think AGM would have lasted enough longer to be worth the extra cost?

As far as the life chart, I get on average 100 to 140 months on our batteries, despite the chart saying to expect 51 months. Thus I agree, it seems pretty pessimistic, but I also park in a garage and take good care of my batteries, as in put them on a trickle charge if they won't run for more than a month, so my results may not be completely representative. I do know the warranty on batteries in the states is WAY shorter than here in Canada and I have been told, that is to account for the hot weather States, so I presume the hot weather effect happens to quite a few people.

Warranties are much different here in the US .I have no desire to buy from Costco with their 3 year prorated warranty ,not a good warranty at all , and IMO not any better batteries then can be bought at Walmart . I am on my second set of Everstarts from Walmart , I won't buy from anyone else . Their AGMs are 4 year free replacement ,and the lead acid is 3 years . No prorate on either . Not many warranties here are better , nor the price .

And the debate goes on about batteries . These threads seem to pop up about once a month .

 

[2019RamInSC]

Yes.
Walmart has a great price and warranty on Everstart AGM batteries.

I got that at Walmart for my 2019 5.7 and have had no issues. I do hook up an AGM charger to the battery about once a week to make sure it gets topped off properly. Not sure if that helps. But can't hurt.

 

[Hootbro]

Battery threads are funny. For someone's particular experience, someone else has a polar opposite experience.

 

[18CrewDually]

Warranties are much different here in the US .I have no desire to buy from Costco with their 3 year prorated warranty ,not a good warranty at all , and IMO not any better batteries then can be bought at Walmart . I am on my second set of Everstarts from Walmart , I won't buy from anyone else . Their AGMs are 4 year free replacement ,and the lead acid is 3 years . No prorate on either . Not many warranties here are better , nor the price .

And the debate goes on about batteries . These threads seem to pop up about once a month .

100% agreed!