Is there an advantage to the AGM style battery over the regular wet cell? Looks like I can get a regular wet cell battery (size 24, 650 CCA) for $100 - $150, and an AGM style with the same specs for $150 - $200. Is the AGM technology worth the extra cost? I don't have a lot of electronics nor any add on lights to power and live in a fairly temperate climate (Kentucky).
AGM or wet cell battery?
OldBaldGuy
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I stayed at a Holiday Inn once, but have no 'real data' to provide.
However, my personal experience over several years of working at a body shop, I saw many different types of batteries in various vehicles. It was a daily ritual to use smart battery packs to charge up batteries in vehicles so we could move them about around the shop, complex, and test drives. Our shop also did regular ASE vehicle maintenance/repairs for customers as well, and did battery replacement services. Most customers who purchased an expensive brand AGM battery were not happy with the battery performance or longevity for the added price. The shop owner was kind enough to offer replacements or exchanges back to wet batteries for free. Most people went back to the wet.
Our shop had access to almost every battery imaginable at that time. Customers, even the ones that had some actual money to throw around for their expensive Bentlys, Ferraris, Porche, etc. seemed to always go back to wet batteries (if they could, as some vehicles came OEM with AGM batteries).
I agree with the statement someone made earlier that the much older AGM batteries were very good. But, as of today's standards, I would rather just buy/fit a larger wet battery (more CCA) when replacing a battery in a vehicle. While it seems, to me, that all batteries are lacking in the same quality as years ago, the wet batteries seem to have the least issues, in my experience.
No real world data, just my observation from a small shop.
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well after work I went to tackle the mystery.... definitely did NOT have the terminals tight and the battery holder plate was loose.... wife said I was driving faster than usual on the dirt road, haha! O'Reilly's charged up the battery and said all 6 cells were good and was getting still 12v...
I think from what I remember the positive battery connector wasn't fully seated on the post... maybe like a 1/4 or 1/3 was above the top of it... Would this cause the engine to stall? If so, it makes sense, if not... IDK!
Drove the truck around last night to test, no problems, Reverse, Park, lights on/off, no issues.
This morning drove the truck to work and no issues.... kinda stuck here, but glad it hasn't stalled again.
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Yes tight connections are a good thing. I checked battery connections on my Frontier last week and actually tightened the nuts a bit more.😳
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I'll admit I was kinda maybe sorta driving like I was in the Baja 1000.... but yeah definitely loosey goosey on the battery connections.
I used both in my 2006 BMW M Roadster. No matter which type I use, they last about 5 yrs. I don't drive the car a lot. Use a charger monthly. I wouldn't spend the money on an AGM as I don't think there is an advantage unless the battery is under the seat in the cabin of the car. Under a hood? No advantage IMHO.
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Depends on use. If you run a lot of offroad lights, a winch, a hi watt sound system, or any combination, a deep cycle AGM is hands down better than a wet cell battery. Under normal circumstances without those extra loads, a wet cell is fine.
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I had a yellow top optima that lasted 11 months before going to 5 volts for no good reason (daily driver, not overcharged, not frozen). The warranty replacement has been in for a year and no problems. The technology appeals but the implementation is spotty
On paper - an AGM is superior.
My experience:
But paying close to double for an AGM battery that only lasted half as long as its wet cell replacement has so far - paints a different story. AND, I do run an aftermarket SQL sound system, fwiw.
My experience:
But paying close to double for an AGM battery that only lasted half as long as its wet cell replacement has so far - paints a different story. AND, I do run an aftermarket SQL sound system, fwiw.
Must be one heck of a dataBASS
Pretty amazing. The AGM in my 2006 BMW only lasted 5 yrs.
It may be true that the AGM doesn't corrode terminals. However, I had a Rogue over 6 years, standard battery, but the way Nissan implements their attachment to the battery, I had NO hint of corrosion whatsoever, and the terminals were completely dry, that is, no anti-corrosion used. Nissan's battery connections are completely different from anything I have ever seen before. And I'm 75 years old. I just traded in the Rogue for a used (2021) Frontier in which someone had replaced the battery with an AGM, I assume anyway. So we'll see how that goes.
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