"AGM Car" batteries for less used tractors?

[not2old]

The trick that I have heard is to parallel a good battery with the dead battery with a set of jumper cables, then connect the smart charger. The good battery will keep the voltage high enough that the smart charger activates. I would take the good battery off as soon as the dead battery has a charge to it so the charger can focus on that battery.

This has worked for me.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Just don't leave the two hooked up longer than necessary, about 30 minutes at the most I've been told.

And do check that the discharged battery doesn't get hot.

 

[not2old]

Just don't leave the two hooked up longer than necessary, about 30 minutes at the most I've been told.

And do check that the discharged battery doesn't get hot.

I only had them hooked together for a minute, possibly less.

 

[DieselMonk]

I converted all my machines over to AGM. Had enough of bad flooded batteries spilling acid everywhere because they leaked (battery post) or shorted out cell (boiled acid spilling) and other stunts. Followed by me cleaning stripping and repainting. Grr. Done with that.

 

[RayIN]

Good reading the various points about AGM and FLA. I need to replace my Kioti battery, I had stuck a newer trolling motor battery in it for a quick start a couple of months ago. I am thinking I will go with an AGM as I hate the extra work of corrosion. Gonna top the terminals off with some white lithium grease for good measure.

I use AGM in my boat for the trolling motors (different trolling motor battery than above), wasn't too pleased with the BPro brand they lasted about 4 years I think it was. Interstate's seem to have lasted the longest for me.

Yes, grease prevents corrosion, but also makes a mess while collecting dirt.
Instead use a battery terminal spray, no greasy mess, and it changes color when exposed to battery acid to let you know there''s a problem.

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

Yes, grease prevents corrosion, but also makes a mess while collecting dirt.
Instead use a battery terminal spray, no greasy mess, and it changes color when exposed to battery acid to let you know there''s a problem.

Thanks for that tip. Hadn't heard of it. Planning to get the new batteries soon for the tractor, jeep and truck.

 

[John_Mc]

Yes, grease prevents corrosion, but also makes a mess while collecting dirt.
Instead use a battery terminal spray, no greasy mess, and it changes color when exposed to battery acid to let you know there''s a problem.

grease can also form a conductive path between the terminal posts if a film ends up collected on top of the battery. It's not like a dead short - more like a small phantom load, but it can drain the battery over time. Keep the tops of your batteries clean, especially on vehicles that don't get run frequently, so don't have the opportunity to get charged back up on a regular basis.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Thanks for that tip. Hadn't heard of it. Planning to get the new batteries soon for the tractor, jeep and truck.

There are versions that are a little different, but most form a 'waxy' type coating that protects the terminals. Great to use on things like grounds and at the starter terminals as well.

https://www.amazon.com/CRC-Battery-Terminal-Protector-Aerosol/dp/B0013J7RAI?th=1

 

[sixdogs]

I converted all my machines over to AGM. Had enough of bad flooded batteries spilling acid everywhere because they leaked (battery post) or shorted out cell (boiled acid spilling) and other stunts. Followed by me cleaning stripping and repainting. Grr. Done with that.

Me too and I wish more people would figure this out. I use AGM or fully sealed batteries only and no problem ever with leakage. Before that I had always had problems with rusty and very expensive front metal parts around the battery. Screw that.

Plus, AGM's and sealed batteries last much longer if you keep fully charged over the winter. Lots of threads and posts on that.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Aside from the other advantages of AGM batteries, I really like not having to check if regular wet batteries need water. Not even on the ones that are easy to get to.

On the other hand, corrosion has never been a problem for me with the wet ones. Well, except when I was belted in in my Jeep, upside down and with the rear mounted battery dripping acid on my back.

 

[Bmantel]

I needed two new Group 65 batteries in the 2019 F350. Was prepared for some sticker shock....

Checked FomoCo, NAPA, O'Reilly's, National and then went in to Walmart just to check prices.

Talked to sales guy (there was actually one working!) and he asked if I needed it that day... Nope. Why? He gave me this advice:
$180 / each for VRLA AGM group 65 on Walmart.COM!

And a 3 year warranty too!

 

[Fallon]

My 2024 F350 came with a pair of AGM batteries instead of the standard wet cells. I hear that has been the norm for Super Duties, at least the Power Strokes in the past year or 2.

 

[sixdogs]

I needed two new Group 65 batteries in the 2019 F350. Was prepared for some sticker shock....

Checked FomoCo, NAPA, O'Reilly's, National and then went in to Walmart just to check prices.

Talked to sales guy (there was actually one working!) and he asked if I needed it that day... Nope. Why? He gave me this advice:
$180 / each for VRLA AGM group 65 on Walmart.COM!

And a 3 year warranty too!

That's a great price. Sam's Club-Walmart is the best on batteries.

 

[5030]

Keep in mind that all 'maintenance free' batteries will gas off if over charged, They still all have a to the atmosphere vent in the cell caps. That includes AGM jars as well. Why charging systems have voltage regulators in the first place.

 

[Midniteoyl]

My 2024 F350 came with a pair of AGM batteries instead of the standard wet cells. I hear that has been the norm for Super Duties, at least the Power Strokes in the past year or 2.

My 2019 came with AGM..

 

[DieselMonk]

My 2019 came with AGM..

My 18 came with an AGM H8…

 

[Deanes]

Buy from a volume dealer, anything that will fit in the battery box and has the highest CCAs. Its impossible to know what you are getting anyhow.
One night, just at closing time in Rural King, I saw the owner of a very popular battery specialty store with a huge cart full of Rural King batteries. I expect he puts his label on them and offers a longer warranty for a premium price.

 

[Bmantel]

Yah, I had interstate flooded cells in my 2019 F350 6.7 Turbodiesel when I bought it at auction last year in Canada.

So I don't know if it came with those or was changed out before I owned it.

But night and day difference in the cranking speeds! Wish I did this earlier, actually.

Strange that there seems to not be a dedicated voltmeter setting to be found in the standard dash infometrics. I may put one in in the headliner area over the rear view mirror.

Or a tuner of some sort in the future....

 

[Midniteoyl]

Yah, I had interstate flooded cells in my 2019 F350 6.7 Turbodiesel when I bought it at auction last year in Canada.

So I don't know if it came with those or was changed out before I owned it.

But night and day difference in the cranking speeds! Wish I did this earlier, actually.

Strange that there seems to not be a dedicated voltmeter setting to be found in the standard dash infometrics. I may put one in in the headliner area over the rear view mirror.

Or a tuner of some sort in the future....

I was going to get one of those USB chargers with a volt gauge built-in to put in the socket on the dash, but never did.

 

[goeduck]

I was going to get one of those USB chargers with a volt gauge built-in to put in the socket on the dash, but never did.

I have one in the cigarette lighter in one of my older vehicles, the charger has a cigarette lighter socket plus a couple of USB sockets. The digital voltage display is nice, a lot easier to read than an analog meter on the dash if you are trying to tell how many volts your alternator is charging at, or if it is charging. I got the cigarette lighter model because the dash cam plugs into that format.