Everything You Should Know About Storing and Charging AGM Batteries

February 22, 2022 6:29 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Today’s vehicles and heavy-duty machinery require more power than ever to perform their best. To ensure you get the most bang for your buck, we recommend going with rechargeable absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries.

This post will teach you everything you need to know about storing and recharging your AGM batteries.

Storing AGM batteries

If you need to store your AGM batteries for any longer than a few weeks, you need to prep your batteries and keep them in a safe space. Here are a few things to consider when it comes to AGM battery storage:

  • Top charging: All batteries require top charging when in storage, and they should have a top charge scheduled every six months. This charging replenishes battery capacity back to the level lost while in storage. A chemical reaction occurs while in storage called self-discharge. At room temperature, the self-discharge rate is approximately 3 percent of the rated capacity per month; however, this discharge rate can be higher under certain conditions.
  • Temperature: Rooms that are too hot or too cold will cause faster discharging. As a general rule of thumb, batteries stored between 32°F to 68°F will last one year, while batteries stored in 70°F to 86°F rooms will last about half that long. If the battery is stored any higher than 88°F, it may only last about four months. Keep in mind that only a few days of extremely hot or cold conditions won’t affect this discharge rate.
  • Room ventilation: You’ll also need to think about the room’s ventilation before storing AGM batteries. AGM batteries release gas fumes as they’re charging and discharging. These fumes are flammable, and your building could catch on fire if there’s any sort of spark in the room. To reduce the risk of a fire, make sure the room always has some type of fan or other ventilation system running.

Charging AGM batteries

Recharging an AGM battery isn’t necessarily a complicated process, but you need to be careful when doing it, which is why we always recommend letting a pro recharge your batteries for you. Take these things into consideration if you’re doing it yourself:

  • Charge to the right level: You can permanently damage an AGM battery if you overcharge it. At the same time, undercharging can reduce its lifespan. For those reasons, always follow your manufacturer’s recommendation for charging time.
  • Charge at the right temperature: As we mentioned above, room temperature plays a key role in battery storage, and it’s also crucial in charging your battery. Make sure your battery is stored in a dry, climate-controlled room when it’s charging.
  • Use the recommended charger: Battery chargers aren’t one-size-fits-all devices. The charger that might be right for one battery could be wrong for the next. Always check with your manufacturer or consult our professionals at Texford Battery Co. to ensure you’re using the right charger.

Get your batteries from Texford Battery Co.

Look no further than Texford Battery Co. if you’re shopping for new AGM batteries. We offer the best prices on the highest-quality batteries. Additionally, we can inspect and recharge your current batteries for you. Contact us today to learn more about our services.

Categorised in:

This post was written by Writer

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *