Rick, Paul and Jim (x2), Thanks for getting back to me on how I should proceed with my change to AGM batteries. Jim Bohart, from your answer, along with the others, do I need to do something with my charger when I make the change? Pete
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Chuck Wolfe
AGM Batteries and Chargin
Jim Bohart said that AGM have the same charging rates as wet-cells. While I think he is correct, someone else thought the charging rate was the same as a sealed battery. I noticed that Stat-Power advertises their chargers as being capable of doing wet cells, AGM's and Gel-Cells but that may not mean that there are actually three different settings, because one setting for AGM's and either gel-cells or wet cells. So I would either ask Statpower or Lifeline before you do the wrong thing. And please let everyone know the answer because I am think of getting an AGM for a starting battery. chuckwolfe@mail.com
Jim Bohart said that AGM have the same charging rates as wet-cells. While I think he is correct, someone else thought the charging rate was the same as a sealed battery. I noticed that Stat-Power advertises their chargers as being capable of doing wet cells, AGM's and Gel-Cells but that may not mean that there are actually three different settings, because one setting for AGM's and either gel-cells or wet cells. So I would either ask Statpower or Lifeline before you do the wrong thing. And please let everyone know the answer because I am think of getting an AGM for a starting battery. chuckwolfe@mail.com
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Dave Kelton
Definitive Answer
I have in front of me that manual for the HeartInverter /Charger, and here's some of the excerpts. 1. pg. 13 AGM Batteries. "This battery is lead acid but maintenence free. They hold the liquid electrolyte in a sponge like material. The performance is similar to gel cell batteries. The charge parameters are similar to wet cell batteries." 2 . pg. 9 . Describes the different settings available for charging modes. They are Wet, Gel 1, gel 2, AGM. Gel 1 or 2 depends on what rate of charge you want. Gel 1 for longer battery life, rate 2 for rapid charging. The difference between wet and AGM is given in a table on pg. 20.The float and accept voltage is .1-.2 volts lower on the AGM. 3. pg 16. "AGM and Gel cell batteries must not be charged to their gassing point. In fact, high voltage charging which gasses these batteries is harmful to them. They typically require a lower bulk charge voltage. Gel cell batteries require a higher float charge voltage than wet cell batteries." Maybe this is what explains the voltage difference in item 2.
I have in front of me that manual for the HeartInverter /Charger, and here's some of the excerpts. 1. pg. 13 AGM Batteries. "This battery is lead acid but maintenence free. They hold the liquid electrolyte in a sponge like material. The performance is similar to gel cell batteries. The charge parameters are similar to wet cell batteries." 2 . pg. 9 . Describes the different settings available for charging modes. They are Wet, Gel 1, gel 2, AGM. Gel 1 or 2 depends on what rate of charge you want. Gel 1 for longer battery life, rate 2 for rapid charging. The difference between wet and AGM is given in a table on pg. 20.The float and accept voltage is .1-.2 volts lower on the AGM. 3. pg 16. "AGM and Gel cell batteries must not be charged to their gassing point. In fact, high voltage charging which gasses these batteries is harmful to them. They typically require a lower bulk charge voltage. Gel cell batteries require a higher float charge voltage than wet cell batteries." Maybe this is what explains the voltage difference in item 2.
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Pete Burger
AGM Charging
Dave, thanks for the info from the Heart manual. I feel better that I now have something positive. Will check my Heart manual. Anyone have any ideas as to whether I also have to change my starting battery when I change my two 8D's? Thanks again Pete
Dave, thanks for the info from the Heart manual. I feel better that I now have something positive. Will check my Heart manual. Anyone have any ideas as to whether I also have to change my starting battery when I change my two 8D's? Thanks again Pete
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Dave Kelton
starter battery
If you look in the manual, there is also an additional output called "echo charge". This is meant to charge a smaller battery bank, such as a starter battery. page 10 talks about this, but basically it will monitor the start battery for charge level, charge it at a rate no more than 15 amps, but at the same charge parameters as the preset charge mode. Heart people felt that a regular starting battery should be used, even though my house bank was AGM.
If you look in the manual, there is also an additional output called "echo charge". This is meant to charge a smaller battery bank, such as a starter battery. page 10 talks about this, but basically it will monitor the start battery for charge level, charge it at a rate no more than 15 amps, but at the same charge parameters as the preset charge mode. Heart people felt that a regular starting battery should be used, even though my house bank was AGM.
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Jim Ewing
Check manufacturer's specs too
Pete, Check the manufacturer's specs for the battery you want to buy and the charger you have. I've got a Statpower 40+ charger and in addition to the 3 voltage settings for battery type (flooded, GEL and AGM) there is also a temperature compensation voltage adjustment as well. The battery manufacturer can also tell you if their batteries are compatible with your alternator/regulator combination and (if you've got one) solar panel. I think that a flooded cell battery is not as sensitive (damage wise) to charging voltage as the others so you should be able to keep your starting battery and charge it with AGM voltage settings. Jim "Prospect"
Pete, Check the manufacturer's specs for the battery you want to buy and the charger you have. I've got a Statpower 40+ charger and in addition to the 3 voltage settings for battery type (flooded, GEL and AGM) there is also a temperature compensation voltage adjustment as well. The battery manufacturer can also tell you if their batteries are compatible with your alternator/regulator combination and (if you've got one) solar panel. I think that a flooded cell battery is not as sensitive (damage wise) to charging voltage as the others so you should be able to keep your starting battery and charge it with AGM voltage settings. Jim "Prospect"
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Pete Burger
AGM charging
Jim, thanks for all the info. You've really been helpful. I reached the same conclusion of being able to stay with my present wet-cell starting battery when I make the change. Trouble I'll now face is how to struggle with a battery, actually two, that weighs over 160 pounds - will get my twenty-seven year old son to help and tell him it will help his upper-body development!!!! Again thanks, Pete KAILANI
Jim, thanks for all the info. You've really been helpful. I reached the same conclusion of being able to stay with my present wet-cell starting battery when I make the change. Trouble I'll now face is how to struggle with a battery, actually two, that weighs over 160 pounds - will get my twenty-seven year old son to help and tell him it will help his upper-body development!!!! Again thanks, Pete KAILANI
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