Goodbye Spilled Acid, Hello AGM Battery For The ATV,,

[John_Mc]

charging(intermittent, short term) Yes, but NOT float voltages, look at an AGM battery for the recommendations.. 13.8 Volts float voltage, which means long term charging, like an automobile tractor etc. would charge the battery at for a long term.. Normal charging voltage for a car is about 13.9v to 14.4v

My point was that the recommended charging voltage and the recommended float voltage for an AGM battery is higher than the recommended levels for a flooded lead-acid battery (with the exception of Optima brand AGM batteries, which recommend the same charging profile as most flooded lead-acid batteries). In an automobile or tractor, the float voltage part is probably moot anyway: I'm not aware of any automobile or tractor that actually drops back to a float voltage when the battery is fully charged. It's usually not an issue with AGM or flooded batteries, since they are not charging for days at a time without an occasional partial discharge in an automobile. It can be an issue with Gel batteries which are very sensitive to over-voltage and which should have a lower charging and float voltage.

 

[shooterdon]

Some of the off road guys go Gaga over the AGM batteries. I was thinking of putting one in my Jeep if I added as winch, and my plow truck as plowing taxes the battery. Guess that isn’t such a good idea after all. Wasn’t looking forward to spending the money but it seemed less expensive than adding dual batteries.

Will follow this thread

 

[radios1]

Some of the off road guys go Gaga over the AGM batteries. I was thinking of putting one in my Jeep if I added as winch, and my plow truck as plowing taxes the battery. Guess that isn’t such a good idea after all. Wasn’t looking forward to spending the money but it seemed less expensive than adding dual batteries.

Will follow this thread

the Optima starting batteries would be good for that..

 

[wagne223]

In my previous comments I was referring to typical square, factory or direct replacement AGM batteries. I had forgotten that the Optima spiral cell batteries were AGM.

I will concede that the Optima brand spiral cell design batteries, are the best and most reliable of the AGM batteries for typical automotive use.

In my experience, the failure rate of Optima batteries is on par with standard lead acid batteries. The Optima batteries do not leak and corrode terminals like standard batteries.

If anyone is set on going AGM, I would recommend going with Optima. Keep in mind though, you are paying twice the price. What you get is a sealed battery that does not leak and corrode. You are not getting a more reliable battery.

I ,like most people, am hoping for better battery technology. I feel we have maximized the use of lead acid design.

Lithium ion seem to be on the right track, however they are too volatile for many applications.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I just bought new Trojan Flooded batteries for my E-Gator. And I HATE watering them. I rigged up a Plastic Water Cooler Type Bottle, some non-kink tubing and an air blow gun, with a little heat shrink over the metal nozzle. Put the bottle up high on a cabinet and let gravity do the work.

I tried finding something like that, but came up short. Talk about making an arduous job, super easy. The only slight spillage of distilled water is from water left in the nozzle between cells. A few drops. And a perfect flow rate.

Doing it with a bottle or plastic container was a HUGE pain. You would always run out half way through, or hit your elbow and spill a bunch, or overfill cells when I got impatient.

 

[Beltzington]

In the automotive industry, AGM batteries have an extremely high failure rate compared to standard lead acid batteries.

I agree with your observation, I have owned a couple motorcycles and several PWC in the last 15-years, still have three, and have found the "new" AGMs fail far more often then the old Lead-Acid batteries. My experience is they do not recover well if the voltage drops below 12VDC for any length of time, they also seem to lose charge quickly even when not being used. The only thing that has stopped me from having to buy new batteries every season is make sure I charge them at least monthly during the off season. A far cry from my dirt bike days we rarely even remembered to check the water in the lead-acid batteries, they sat all winter in near freezing temperatures and when springtime rolled around you connected them to a high-amp charger and they worked for another year.

I don't know Optima's don't have these same issues but I have used their marine blue tops and they have lasted 5-8 years. The industry has lost faith in these new AGM batteries as well, when they first came out the small motorcycle and PWC batteries came with a full year replacement warranty. Buy one today and it only has 90 days.

 

[sdef]

I have only purchased AGM batteries for at least the last 15 years and am waiting for this Amazon.com: Odyssey PC12LMJT Automotive and LTV Battery: Automotive to be at a $200 price point for my Polaris Ranger 900XP. With AGMs, one needs to be careful of the brand purchased just like any other battery. I have had good luck with Optima and Deka (Sears Craftsman Gold).

I went ahead and tried this Amazon.com: Universal Power Group 12V 35Ah Battery For John Deere Lawn Garden Tractor Riding Mower SLA: Everything Else for the lawn tractor in August of 2017 as I could not find anything else that would fit and was available for a reasonable price, and so far it is working great.

When the tractor needs a battery it will be an Optima.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

Been running DEKA AGM batteries in my CANAM Outlander 800 and Polaris RZR 800S since the stock batteries failed at the less then 2 year mark. Also running the EXIDE Flat Plate AGM in my Jeep Commander 1 for starting and 2 deep discharge versions for the radios. Installed a set of the Exide AGMs in the Dodge Cummins 5.9L a few years ago and no problems yet.

Did put some solar panels on the Jeep to keep the radio batteries up because of the constant discharge but otherwise they do good as long as you do not leave a load connected. AGM setting on chargers does help.

Was never impressed with the Optima spiral wound but do like the Exide Flat Plate AGM as they have a lot of surface area.

David

 

[radios1]

Been running DEKA AGM batteries in my CANAM Outlander 800 and Polaris RZR 800S since the stock batteries failed at the less then 2 year mark. Also running the EXIDE Flat Plate AGM in my Jeep Commander 1 for starting and 2 deep discharge versions for the radios. Installed a set of the Exide AGMs in the Dodge Cummins 5.9L a few years ago and no problems yet.

Did put some solar panels on the Jeep to keep the radio batteries up because of the constant discharge but otherwise they do good as long as you do not leave a load connected. AGM setting on chargers does help.

Was never impressed with the Optima spiral wound but do like the Exide Flat Plate AGM as they have a lot of surface area.

David

this one has a fantastic review. Amazon.com: XS Power D34 XS Series 12V 3,3 Amp AGM High Output Battery with M6 Terminal Bolt: Automotive

 

[oosik]

I just put an Odyssey - Group 31 - AGM in my Kubota M6040. The most difficult part of the entire change over - other than swallowing the price - lifting that new battery into position. I knew the new Odyssey @ 78 pounds was going to be tough - mainly because you have to lift and reach forward with the entire load. Glad its done - now with the Deltran attached - should be good for another long spell.

BTW - this battery should fit the M5040, M6040 & M7040. Odyssey - PC2150T - 1150 CCA.