What is the difference between an AGM battery and a standard battery?

The evolution of vehicle engines and all the other parts has been rapid and revolutionary. When it comes to batteries, the journey has been quite the same. With so many types of batteries, more and more of them are moving into the boots or even under the seats of some vehicles. If the battery is not being placed under the bonnet, the chances are that it’s an Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) battery. In this article, we will talk about the differences between an AGM battery and a standard battery.

Types of Batteries

With all the different kinds of batteries on the market, it is quite confusing to understand the right type of battery for a vehicle. There are primarily five different types of batteries in the market: Accessible batteries, Maintenance Free Sealed batteries, Lithium batteries, GEL batteries, and AGM batteries. All the batteries serve different purposes, with fairly similar installation, and maintenance processes. 

AGM Battery and a Standard Battery

An AGM battery contains a special glass mat separator that keeps the electrolyte solution between the battery plates. The AGM batteries are commonly referred to as maintenance-free batteries as they do not require maintaining the electrolyte level. AGM technology became popular in the 1980s as a sealed lead-acid battery for military aircraft, vehicles, and UPS due to the batteries being fully sealed and reliable.   

Flooded batteries are the traditional standard engine start, tractor, and deep cycle-style batteries. Flooded batteries vary quite a lot from the AGM batteries as the liquid electrolyte is floating in the cell compartment. 

There are 2 types of flooded batteries, you have the original accessible type and also the fully sealed, maintenance-free calcium battery. Both of these batteries are designed to do the same job although the accessible type does require having the electrolyte level inspected from time to time.

Advantages and Disadvantages

AGM batteries arguably have some advantages over standard flooded batteries. More starts per battery, faster recharging, more durable construction, safe handle, and added protection in production to increase the battery’s lifespan give AGM a slight edge. After starting the engine, the battery is depleted slightly right before the alternator takes over. When it does, the alternator then recharges the battery and keeps the electrical components of the car running. 

The future of automotive technology is looking bright. The wide array of options we have for each component of a vehicle is a bonus for us, even though it is getting more difficult to keep track of all the new technology used in AGM battery and a standard battery. We just have to keep adapting as the world keeps progressing.