AGM Battery vs. Lead Acid Battery: 12 Differences

The starter battery in your car may be either an AGM battery or a submerged lead-acid battery, both of which are rechargeable. But what distinguishes these two batteries from one another? In this post, we’ll contrast AGM batteries with lead-acid batteries to see how they compare(AGM Battery vs. Lead Acid Battery). Let’s begin.

It’s vital to keep in mind that AGM batteries originated from conventional lead-acid batteries before we begin the comparison. As a result, there are some similarities.

Let’s now compare each 12v 42ah Lifepo4 Battery type, starting with how it functions internally.

AGM Battery vs. Lead Acid Battery: 1. How lead-acid and AGM batteries operate.

AGM batteries and traditional lead-acid batteries have the same fundamental chemistry. They both use lead sheets and an electrolyte composed of water and sulfuric acid, which reacts chemically to produce byproducts such as hydrogen and oxygen.

But at this point, they started to dispute.

That is all.

A. Lead-acid flood battery

Lead plates are submerged in a liquid electrolyte in submerged lead-acid batteries (FLA batteries). Water is lost as a result of the gases released into the atmosphere as a result of the chemical reaction. As a result, electrolyte levels must be periodically refilled. Sometimes, lithium car batteries can also play an important role.

B. AGM battery

Between the lead plates of AGM batteries are fiberglass matting. Absorbent Glass Mat is how the 12v 42ah Lifepo4 Battery gets its name (AGM). The electrolyte solution is kept held in place by being absorbed by the glass mat, which prevents it from flowing freely.

The AGM is a sealed 48v lifepo4 battery, thus there is basically no venting. The electrolyte and gases created by the chemical reaction unite once more. The vent lets out extra gas if necessary to keep internal pressure from dropping (for instance, when the battery is overcharged).

AGM Battery vs. Lead Acid Battery: 2. Requirements for upkeep

Given that there is no exhaust gas other than the occasional exhaust, AGM batteries require no maintenance and can be installed in more confined spaces. It is appropriate for cars with batteries in the trunk, under the seat, or in hard-to-reach places.

On the other hand, a submerged 48v lifepo4 battery needs to be in a well-ventilated area and needs to have the electrolyte maintained on a regular basis because it releases vapors and gases. Sometimes, the lithium battery price is also a very important factor.

AGM Battery vs. Lead Acid Battery: 3. Resilience to shock, vibration, and wear

Because AGM batteries were first developed for military and aerospace uses, they are often more durable than submerged lead-acid batteries.

Glass mats and panels in AGM cells have a sandwich structure, which results in parts that are less prone to disintegration. Race cars and motorcycles are popular uses for batteries because of their design, which makes them resilient to stress and vibration.

Submerged panels must be fixed firmly to reduce the impacts of arduous motion and strong vibration, which might harm them.

AGM Battery vs. Lead Acid Battery: 4. Flexibility of installation and spillage

The AGM battery is position-independent and splash-resistant thanks to the glass mat technology. There are several ways to install it; just make sure you don’t do it backward.

Immersion batteries, however, must always keep upright to prevent leaks because they contain liquid electrolytes. If spilled electrolyte is not cleaned up, corrosion may result.

AGM Battery vs. Lead Acid Battery: 5. Internal resistance and power generation

AGM batteries have the lowest internal resistance of any lead-acid batteries. A new AGM battery’s internal resistance can be as low as 2 percent, compared to a new submerged lead-acid battery’s internal resistance of 10-15 percent.

lithium polymer battery voltage output is boosted by low internal resistance.

Additionally, as electricity is circulated through the system, heat loss is decreased.

In comparison to submerged lead-acid or gel batteries, AGM batteries also react to load better. They are the preferred lead-acid kind for start-stop vehicles because of their ability to manage high power demands. Sometimes, lithium car batteries can also play an important role.

AGM Battery vs. Lead Acid Battery: 6. Charge duration

AGM batteries have lower internal resistance, which results in shorter charging times. On the same power source, submerged lead-acid batteries perform five times more quickly than lithium batteries.

AGM Battery vs. Lead Acid Battery: 7. Discharge depth

AGM batteries provide an 80 percent depth of discharge (DoD), which is more than the 50 percent DoD that flooded batteries provide. AGM batteries are therefore perfect for deep-cycle applications.

Nevertheless, it is not advised to discharge any lithium polymer battery to less than 50% of its capacity, and lithium batteries should not be discharged to this extent.

Note: The depth of discharge reveals the maximum amount of lithium polymer battery power that can be safely discharged without causing battery damage.

AGM Battery vs. Lead Acid Battery: 8. Resistance to temperature

AGM batteries typically have good cold cranking amperage (CCA) ratings and perform better across the board.

The electrolyte in the glass mat won’t expand like a liquid when it is frozen. AGM batteries are hence resistant to harm from cold temperatures. In cold weather, the battery might not function, but at least it won’t malfunction.

A submerged lead-acid battery, on the other hand, freezes in the cold. The casing may bulge and leak and the panels may shatter.

Lead-acid batteries soaked in hot water evaporate more electrolytes, exposing the solar panels to the air (lead plates need to remain submerged).

AGM Battery vs. Lead Acid Battery: 9. The propensity towards overcharging

AGM batteries are less able to sustain overcharging than flooded lead-acid batteries.

AGM batteries are more vulnerable to thermal runaway because of their sealed design, which can be brought on by overcharging. Even without taking thermal runaway into account, overcharging will reduce the lifespan of your AGM battery more quickly.

Use a controlled battery charger to charge AGM batteries in order to regulate the voltage and current entering the battery.

Observe: A thermal runaway occurs when a battery produces too much heat to be able to dissipate. Batteries have a tendency to dry out and melt, producing poisonous compounds that, in severe circumstances, may ignite a fire or explode. Batteries nearby are impacted and may start a domino effect.

AGM Battery vs. Lead Acid Battery: 10. Lifetime and Self-Discharge

AGM batteries frequently outlive traditional lead-acid batteries. AGM batteries have a longer lifespan while not in use than their submerged counterparts because of their low self-discharge rates.

A fully charged battery normally lasts about 3-5 years, however, an AGM can last up to 7 years with proper maintenance. You can tell there is a battery issue if your automobile won’t start. Sometimes, the lithium battery price is also a very important factor.

AGM Battery vs. Lead Acid Battery: 11. Sulfation and Corrosion

Because flooded batteries discharge acid vapors and are more likely to experience electrolyte spills and leaks than AGM batteries, they are more prone to corrosion than AGM batteries.

Both batteries will experience sulfation if they are kept in a discharged state for an extended period of time. AGM batteries, however, are more resilient, in part as a result of their slower rate of self-discharge.

It might be time to have your mechanic install a new battery if you observe significant corrosion on the battery terminals.

AGM Battery vs. Lead Acid Battery: 12. Economicalness

Flooded batteries are reliable and reasonably priced as starting batteries for standard autos. Two to three times as much as conventional batteries, AGM batteries can be expensive.