AGM vs Flooded Battery – What You Need to Know

Today, most companies use rechargeable batteries to operate vehicles, workplace devices, or regenerative energy systems. Lead acid batteries are considered more genuine, reliable, resistant, and economical. This lead-acid battery technology is the most common. There are different types acid batteries that responsible for continuity.

Both AGM and flooded batteries contain electrolytes that activate chemical processes to create electrons. Both these batteries are lead-acid batteries. These batteries are recharged when exposed to reverse current. However, each has its strengths and weaknesses in design, and one must consider these variations before employing them.

What is an AGM Battery?

An AGM battery is an abbreviation of Absorbent Glass Mat battery, and the design is different from the conventional submersible battery. An AGM is also called a starvation electrolyte. AGMs provide superior power to support today’s more demanding electric vehicles and are state-of-the-art batteries. Between the AGM plates is a thin, ultra-thin acid-impregnated fiberglass mat. A sealed battery technology that was developed in 1985 for aviation, where potential, mass, security, and dependability were crucial issues, was the AGM battery.

How does an AGM battery work?

In an AGM, a glass absorbent mat that is used to divide the positive and negative plates also absorbs and keeps the battery acid, preventing it from freely flowing within the battery. Each cell contains a plate that is tightly packed and held in place by pressure inside a plastic case. The compression element increases the output pulse power and reduces the internal resistance.

The battery‘s internal resistance indicates its overall charge and discharges efficiency, its capacity to provide large currents without voltage dips and is an indicator of the effectiveness of the components and construction.

Safety ventilation is also part of the basic design, which can also withstand pressure due to slight outgassing during charge-discharge. Preventing the air from entering the battery, the valve opens at low pressure and closes automatically. Valve-regulated lead acid batteries are AGM batteries.

AGM batteries are not always deep cycle batteries because they are AGMs. A major factor in determining the capacity of a deep cycle battery (drinking or gel type) is the thickness of the plate.

Pros:

• Up to 2x longer than conventional submerged batteries.
• Designed for harsh environments and extreme climates.
• Withstands high electrical loads.
• Its life is extended and it recharges swiftly.
• Ideal for start-stop operations
• Resistance to vibration
• Maintenance-free and spill-free
• Installation adaptability with internal resistance as low as approx. 3.5%

Cons:

• Higher initial investment
• Over-charging and under-charging might reduce battery’s performance and shorten its lifetime.

What Is A Flooded Battery?

The most traditional form of the battery may be a wet or flooded battery, which is used in automobiles as a continuous power source. A liquid electrolyte mixture is present in these batteries, which must be carefully monitored and maintained so that the batteries work effectively.

How Does A Flooded Battery Work?

A chemical reaction is triggered in flooded batteries by a liquid electrolyte medium. When you connect the battery, the battery acid attaches to the lead plates. This causes an electric current to flow via the associated circuit.

Pros:

• For backup power, energy and grid power supply, Wet Cell Batteries are the best option.
• Furthermore, these batteries are more cost effective than AGM batteries.

Cons:

• Flooded batteries contain free liquid that needs to be checked and maintained on regular basis.
• By vigorous movement, a flooded battery can also be accidentally damaged.
• Extreme climate conditions can have a significant impact on battery life as the electrolyte in the battery can evaporate or freeze.