What is AGM?
The full form of the abbreviation AGM is Absorbed Glass Mat which is a sealed battery technology created in 1980. Initially, it was aimed at meeting the needs of military aircraft manufacturing. However, the main advantages of AGM technology, namely increased safety, better resistance, and low weight, enabled its wide application for non-military purposes over time. Nowadays, they are widely used in upscale carriers with power-consuming equipment.
AGM definition
The AGM technology employs a super-thin fiberglass mat placed between sulfuric-acid plates and welded under pressure. The plates absorb the sulfuric acid, which is then carried out to the mat. This results in enhanced leak tightness of the battery. High leak tightness is what allows using AGM batteries without risk of having the sulfuric acid spilt, which is more typical of ordinary lead-acid batteries.
What defines the best agm battery charger?
The AGM battery has lots of positive characteristics making it convenient in use. This kind of battery is a deep cycled which lets you feel safe when you discharge it to zero. You won’t need to make efforts to maintain the battery in good order too, as it is not susceptible to sulfation unlike a traditional lead-acid battery. Another huge advantage of AGM batteries is the ability to operate at low and even freezing temperatures. They require a little time to restore energy, have a very slow self-discharge rate, and can supply high currents. At last, they are not prone to vibration and able to withstand shock, which significantly expands their scope of application (marine, motor, and robotic transport).
Major downsides
However, the AGM battery technology is followed by a number of constraints related to its basic specs. A typical AGM battery is vulnerable to overcharging, so you should be highly vigilant once it has entered float mode. Moreover, such batteries are not tolerant to heat and therefore have to be located away from an engine.
What you should also remember is that not every charger and energy maintainer is fit to work with this type of batteries. For instance, applying a gel charger to the AGM battery will cause significant damage leading to its deterioration. The most best AGM battery charger is a microprocessor-controlled one with an option of choosing AGM settings.
The AGM batteries require more costs to produce, so it may not be accessible for some segment of users.
Finally, the battery chemistry contains lead oxide, which has a poisonous and perilous effect on the environment. Those who advocate for the protection of natural resources will find it a weighty reason against using AGM batteries.
