lostcreekranch
Super Member
- Joined
- Dec 14, 2012
- Messages
- 7,948
- Location
- Austin County, Texas
- Tractor
- NH TL-100A with Bush Hog 5045 FEL, WR Long 3rd function, LS XR4155HC w/FEL, WR Long 3rd Function.
Gel batteries (like Optima) and AGM batteries in a class of valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries. They are sealed and can be used in any orientation, won't spill acid, and tend to tolerate vibration better. The main advantage of VRLA for us tractor types is their very low (compared to normal "flooded" batteries) self discharge rate; they won't go dead if they sit uncharged for weeks or months (well, they do but very slowly). On the minus side, they are less tolerant of overcharging. With spiral-wrapped gel batteries, like Optima, the cells are cylinders and this limits battery size and shape to an extent (width is 150% of the depth). AGM batteries use rectangular cells so they can be just about any rectangular shape. VRLAs cost about twice as much a flooded batteries but don't last about as long, all things being equal. It's easier to kill a flooded battery by undercharging or contamination and easier to kill a VRLA by overcharging. My 2006 DK45S still has the original AGM battery, I think (not sure because I bought it used). All this notwithstanding, there is no value in putting too much battery in your tractor unless you plan to run the radio for long periods with the engine off. If a healthy battery can't start your Kioti, almost immediately, something in the tractor needs to be fixed. The exception would be a very cold climate. But even there, a block heater and battery heater are a better strategy than a super big battery. The super big battery can cause excess stress and wear of unlubricated surfaces until the oil flows; but the block heater helps the oil flow quickly and the battery heater will yield the full cranking amps. on a related topic, a good synthetic motor oil will flow at much lower temperatures than conventional oil.
Probably why most off-road racers use Optimas in their trucks etc.