absorbed glass matt battery (agm battery)

Image from absorbedpower.com

The AGM battery (Absorbed Glass Mat, (Vlies)) keeps the acid in place by the separator paper that consists of a fibreglass mat operating like a sponge. The capillary forces in the separator do the trick. The AGM battery can be constructed with extremely thin separators which keep the internal resistance low. This means that you can leverage high power from a small volume which makes the AGM battery ideal as a starter battery. The AGM battery has one drawback which is that the amount of acid is limited. All acid must be absorbed by the separator paper and when the small amount of acid has been converted into lead sulphate, this signals that the "petrol tank" is empty. To deal with this problem, the AGM battery often have a somewhat higher acid weight. This means that an AGM battery can, and often should, be charged using a voltage that is a little higher.

One of the most well-known battery manufacturer that use AGM battery technology is Optima. Their six-pack design makes them easy to recognize, but the OPTIMA SpiralCell Technology isn't only for looks, it actually gives the battery the special characteristics of an Optima AGM battery. Optima offers batteries for use as both starter batteries and deep-cycle batteries.

OPTIMA RedTop batteries are built to withstand the abuse trucks, SUV's and 4x4's experience on and off-road while delivering a higher level of power to the starter in the critical first 10 seconds of the vehicle starting cycle. The RedTop features the lowest internal resistance of any battery on the market, which is the key to their unparalleled high power delivery, increased cycle life and fast recharge capability.

Installing an OPTIMA BlueTop in your boat or RV means more running time, faster recharge, and up to twice the life of a traditional battery, which leads to one thing – more time doing what you love. The tightly wound construction in an OPTIMA minimizes plate movement and subsequent damage caused by harsh conditions, extending battery life and taking away the need for RV hook-ups. Who knows, staying out on the water longer might actually increase your chances of catching that trophy fish.

When it comes to charging, the AGM battery is a little special. Optima recommends using a charging voltage of maximum 13.8V. CTEK states that they have the smartest battery charger in the world, a switch mode battery charger with 8-step charging.

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