Have you noticed that more and more automobiles are storing their batteries in the trunks and beneath the seats? Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) and Gel Cell batteries are most often seen in vehicles that don’t have an engine. In an accident, AGM prevents acid from flowing since it is sealed. They may be fitted in a variety of positions, including unusual ones.
Because of their small size and lightweight, these batteries are ideal for vehicles that need to shed a few pounds. That’s one of the primary reasons they’re becoming more common on more recent models of automobiles. Additional benefits include increased stop/start and key-off capacity in these batteries.
The following are four AGM urban legends you may have come across:
AGM and gel cell batteries may be charged using a standard battery charger.
Microprocessors are common in AGM battery chargers, and they gather data from the battery and change the current and voltage as necessary to keep it healthy. They may be able to charge flooded or AGM batteries in a different way. These batteries may be killed by overcharging. A charger is a piece of equipment, but an alternator is not. When it comes to charging your phone, don’t depend on your alternator. Any time your car won’t start because the battery is low on power, use a charger as quickly as possible to get your battery back up and running.
Traditional batteries may be used to test AGMs and gel cells
False. The internal resistance of these batteries is lower than that of flooded batteries. Capacitance battery testers/analyzers that are older may not be able to reliably measure these batteries. It’s common for modern battery analyzers to offer an AGM/gel cell battery mode. It’s possible that the findings from an out-of-date load tester won’t be reliable.
A multimeter is not the same as a traditional flooded battery when it comes to determining the battery’s charge level. For an AGM battery with 100% charge, the voltage may be 13.0-volts. An overcharged battery may only have 12.6 volts of power.
Flooded battery replacement is the same as AGM or gel cell battery replacement for AGM batteries
Both statements are correct. Installation of both batteries may be similar, but in certain cases, the vehicle must be informed that the battery has been changed by performing an additional step.
Batteries in newer GM models feature a Sensor Module on the negative cable. The Battery Monitoring System is available from Ford (BMS). Similar systems may be found in the product lines of other manufacturers. If the battery is charged, the system must be recalibrated using a scan tool. Overcharging the new battery might lead it to fail within a few months after being replaced if the system is not recalibrated.
The internal resistance of the battery may be used by certain cars to do self-learning for the battery. You may verify that the battery is working properly by using a scan tool.
The client cannot be upgraded to an AGM battery if the car initially had a flooded battery
False. AGM batteries may be used in flooded battery systems. When it comes to starting a car, an AGM battery will provide more cold cranking power and more resilience to heat and vibration. A flooded battery should never be installed in an AGM-equipped car.
