What You Need to Know - AGM Batteries Vs Flooded Batteries
Published on
April 24, 2019 at 9:00:00 AM PDT April 24, 2019 at 9:00:00 AM PDTth, April 24, 2019 at 9:00:00 AM PDT
AGM Battery Vs Flooded Battery
There's no denying that the current workforce is driven by "hustle culture" — an emphasis on productivity and efficiency, and the commercial vehicle industry is no different. With increased pressure from stakeholders to deliver more and deliver fast, drivers and fleet managers are often faced with a barrage of difficult problems to solve, including how to optimize the battery life of their trucks.
Is it possible to cut down on towing and dead battery costs while also adhering to the no idling laws enforced in many states? The answer could lie within the battery itself. Chances are, like 50% of commercial vehicles currently on the road, your trucks are outfitted with a conventional flooded lead acid battery. But with advances in Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries such as the Performance and Extreme battery series by Odyssey Batteries, many in the trucking industry are now completely rethinking the flooded battery vs AGM battery, and the results may surprise you.
How Does an AGM Battery Work?
To understand how AGM batteries work, it's important to also understand how the traditional flooded battery works. A "wet" or flooded lead acid battery contains free liquid that is susceptible to leaking, spilling, and also evaporating and freezing during extreme temperatures. The free liquid can also create limitations with ordering, shipping, and mounting the batteries.
While an AGM battery is similar in that it also contains an exact blend of reactive electrolyte fluid, Odyssey batteries are designed differently:
- A Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) design strategically places more and thinner lead plates in the battery's available space, which means more power and lower rates of corrosion and sulfation than conventional batteries.
- Absorbed Glass Mat structures wick the electrolyte solution between the battery plates, allowing the liquid to be suspended rather than free-flowing liquid within the battery. As the battery is operating, the liquid is transferred from the glass to the plates and its no-spill design ensures that it can withstand case damage or being tipped on its side.
- Military Grade Plates made from 99.99% pure lead take Odyssey batteries one step further than other AGM batteries to withstand harsh environments, offer slower self-discharge, less corrosion, and faster recharging.
Although flooded lead acid batteries can still do the job, TPPL AGM batteries from Odyssey are built to take the commercial vehicle industry to the next level.
Is an AGM Battery Worth It?
Considering switching your trucks from conventional wet batteries to AGM batteries is a tough but important decision. When considering the cost vs value of AGM batteries, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:
- Safety. The safety of drivers is the most important thing on any fleet manager's mind, and not having to worry about your trucks stranded on the side of the road with dead batteries can help give you the peace of mind you need to focus on your business.
- Longevity. Offering a service life that's 3 to 5 times longer than conventional batteries, AGM batteries can help decrease your replacement costs and help keep your trucks on the road longer.
- No Idling Laws. With no idling laws in place in many states to cut down on pollution, Odyssey AGM batteries feature massive deep cycling capability with their TPPL technology so drivers can obey these laws while also keeping on-board accessories running, even when the engine isn't.
- Power. Odyssey's TPPL technology allows their AGM batteries to deliver twice the power of conventional flooded batteries, and when it comes to keeping your trucks on the road, who doesn't want more power?
Which AGM Battery is Best?
The breakthrough of AGM batteries on the market can make it difficult to know who to trust with your business, but when it comes to powering your trucks with the latest and the best, Odyssey is at the forefront of the industry. Odyssey batteries are manufactured by EnerSys Energy Products, a global leader in automotive, military, and industrial energy solutions. Which AGM battery is best may depend on your trucking needs, but Odyssey has a few options:
- The Odyssey Extreme Series battery combines both significant cranking power with deep cycle reserve power to take your trucks everywhere they need to go and with the capability of providing engine-cranking pulses over 2250 amps for 5 seconds. That's double to triple what conventional batteries are typically capable of producing.
- The Odyssey Performance Series battery brings the high power, long service life and extreme durability of the Extreme series but without the cold cranking amps and reserve capacity that some trucks may not require. Like the Extreme series, Odyssey Performance batteries can also keep everything running in your big rig when your engine isn't.
Although Odyssey batteries are by no means the only AGM battery out there, the design sets it apart from the rest. When compared to spiral wound designs, the Odyssey battery's densely packed plates eradicate the unused, dead space that is often found in "six pack" AGM batteries. This 15% increase in plate surface area may not seem like a lot, but when it comes to power and performance, you'll see the difference.
Where to Buy an AGM Battery
If you're ready to buy an Odyssey AGM battery, check out the product listings in our online store and take your trucking to the next level today. If you're still not sure if an AGM battery is right for you, contact us to talk to one of our highly trained team members. We know every facet of our products, and we're here to help you make sure you're choosing the best products for your needs.
AGM Batteries: Key Points
When considering AGM batteries vs flooded lead acid batteries, here's what to remember:
- The TPPL design of Odyssey batteries increases the plate surface area by 15%, and more plates mean more power.
- Unlike wet acid batteries, AGM batteries are virtually maintenance-free and do not require watering. Since there is no free-flowing liquid present in AGM batteries, there's no danger of spills if the case gets damaged, and they can be mounted on the side.
- AGM batteries are proven to have twice the power and up to 3 times the service life of conventional batteries. They are also built to help truckers abide by no idling laws without shortening battery life.
- The excitement of AGM batteries in the industry means there are now several on the market from different brands, but the Extreme and Performance series batteries from Odyssey are built to stand out from the rest
Visit our online store or call us today to find out whether an Odyssey AGM battery is right for you. We look forward to hearing from you!