What Type Of Car Battery Should You Use? Flooded vs AGM

Summary

In this video, Optima Batteries explores three types of car batteries: flooded lead-acid, spiral cell absorbed glass mat (AGM), and flat-plate AGM. The video explains the construction, function, and benefits of each, highlighting the differences in materials and design. The flooded lead-acid battery is common but requires maintenance, while the spiral cell AGM offers better vibration resistance and longer lifespan. Finally, the flat-plate AGM, optimized for performance vehicles, offers efficient energy flow and durability. Viewers learn about the advancements that make Optima batteries a reliable choice for automotive and marine use.

Takeaways

• 😀 Flooded lead-acid batteries are the most common type used in production cars, consisting of six cells with positive and negative lead plates submerged in an electrolyte solution of 65% water and 35% sulfuric acid.
• 😀 Flooded lead-acid batteries require maintenance, such as adding water to the electrolyte solution due to its free-flowing nature and potential hydrogen and oxygen escape.
• 😀 Vibration can cause damage to flooded lead-acid batteries, such as detaching plates or debris falling off, and potentially causing a short circuit if the separator is pierced.
• 😀 The flooded lead-acid battery typically provides about 13.2 volts (2.2 volts per cell, with six cells connected in series).
• 😀 Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries, like Optima's spiral cell AGM, use tightly wound lead plates and fiberglass separators to offer better cold cranking amps and lower internal resistance than flooded lead-acid batteries.
• 😀 AGM batteries are maintenance-free because the fiberglass separator acts as a sponge to hold the electrolyte solution and prevent off-gassing, while vents allow pressure to escape in case of overcharging.
• 😀 Optima’s AGM batteries are more durable, lasting up to three times longer than traditional flooded lead-acid batteries due to their compression design and better vibration resistance.
• 😀 Optima’s spiral cell AGM batteries come in three versions: red (starting battery), yellow (dual-purpose, with deep cycle features), and blue (marine use, with dual-purpose features).
• 😀 Flat-plate AGM batteries, another Optima innovation, are similar to flooded lead-acid batteries chemically, but they have a unique plate design and solid cast-on straps for efficient energy flow and durability.
• 😀 Flat-plate AGM batteries are designed for performance vehicles, including late-model domestic and European models, with higher capacity and a specific battery footprint for better energy flow.

Q & A

What is the primary construction of a flooded lead-acid battery?

A flooded lead-acid battery consists of six individual cells, each with positive and negative plates. These plates are separated by a permeable separator and immersed in an electrolyte solution made of 65% water and 35% sulfuric acid.

How does the chemical reaction work in a flooded lead-acid battery?

In a flooded lead-acid battery, the negative lead plates react with the electrolyte solution, losing electrons. The positive lead plates then capture these electrons, which react with the electrolyte to produce water.

Why do flooded lead-acid batteries require maintenance?

Flooded lead-acid batteries require maintenance because they are not sealed. The electrolyte solution can evaporate, requiring periodic addition of water to maintain proper levels. Additionally, hydrogen and oxygen can escape from the battery during operation.

What issues might arise with flooded lead-acid batteries in high-vibration environments?

In high-vibration environments, flooded lead-acid batteries may experience damage such as detachment of the positive and negative plates from their connectors or the loss of active material from the plates. Severe vibrations can also cause the separator to pierce, short-circuiting the battery.

How do absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries differ in construction from flooded lead-acid batteries?

AGM batteries use a spiral cell design where lead plates are tightly wound and separated by a fiberglass separator. This construction allows for higher cold cranking amps and reduces internal resistance. Unlike flooded lead-acid batteries, AGM batteries are maintenance-free.

What advantages do AGM batteries offer over flooded lead-acid batteries?

AGM batteries are maintenance-free, as the fiberglass separator holds the electrolyte solution in a sponge-like structure, preventing off-gassing and eliminating the need for periodic water addition. They also offer better vibration resistance and longer battery life.

How does the design of Optima's AGM batteries enhance durability and performance?

Optima's AGM batteries use a tightly wound spiral design with 99.99% pure lead plates, which allows for higher cold cranking amps, better electron flow, and reduced internal resistance. The fiberglass separator also acts as a sponge, improving efficiency and eliminating the need for maintenance.

What are the different types of Optima AGM batteries, and what are their uses?

Optima offers three types of AGM batteries: the red top (starting battery), yellow top (dual-purpose with deep-cycle characteristics), and blue top (designed for marine use). The red and yellow tops are for automotive applications, while the blue top is specifically for marine use.

What are the key features of Optima's flat-plate AGM battery?

Optima's flat-plate AGM battery uses a grid design for the lead plates that optimizes electron flow. It also features cast-on straps for added durability and efficient energy flow. The flat-plate design is ideal for late-model domestic performance and European vehicles, requiring high capacity in a specific footprint.

Why are flat-plate AGM batteries particularly suited for late-model vehicles?

Flat-plate AGM batteries are designed to provide high capacity in a compact footprint, making them ideal for late-model domestic performance and European vehicles, which require more power in a limited space.