AGM Battery - Very Hot and Sulfur Smell

[colemj]

Originally Posted by smac999

lead acid has no place anywhere.

AGM's are lead acid batteries. As are gels.

Mark

[Zil]

Lead acid, wet cell batteries are fine if the system is operating properly. Over charging or boiling cells have no place in battery systems.

[Exile]

Good points have been made about AGM's having a finite amount of electrolyte and therefore a likely shorter lifespan than a std. wet cell battery that can be replenished. Perhaps it's ignorance, but I do like the idea that AGM's won't normally release gas into the cabin, and in the event of failure, won't produce a puddle of acid at the bottom of the box. I have over 700ah's of batts. that live underneath my bed!

Am I overstating this as one reason to buy AGM's vs. wet cells?

[colemj]

The shorter lifespan of AGM in typical cruising boat usage is not due to the amount of electrolyte. It is a function of the typical cruising boat not being able to charge them up fully every single day using a proper charging regime. AGM lifespan suffers from partial charging.

Yes, you are way overstating the gassing of flooded batteries. There should be very little gassing at all. If there is significant gassing, something is wrong with the charging system. We live with ours in the saloon and have never experienced noticeable gassing. Since they only have a potential to gas when being charged, you won't have to worry too much about it while you are sleeping.

In the event of a failure that causes cases to split open, then yes, there will be a puddle of acid. Batteries should be contained in a box for this reason. Splitting open is rare - I have never seen it personally.

Mark

[Exile]

Originally Posted by colemj

The shorter lifespan of AGM in typical cruising boat usage is not due to the amount of electrolyte. It is a function of the typical cruising boat not being able to charge them up fully every single day using a proper charging regime. AGM lifespan suffers from partial charging.

Yes, you are way overstating the gassing of flooded batteries. There should be very little gassing at all. If there is significant gassing, something is wrong with the charging system. We live with ours in the saloon and have never experienced noticeable gassing. Since they only have a potential to gas when being charged, you won't have to worry too much about it while you are sleeping.

In the event of a failure that causes cases to split open, then yes, there will be a puddle of acid. Batteries should be contained in a box for this reason. Splitting open is rare - I have never seen it personally.

Mark

Thank you for this most helpful information.