How Long do AGM Batteries Last?
How long do AGM batteries last? It’s something that a lot of people setting up backup energy projects in South Africa have been asking. You are probably here because you wish to choose batteries for your system. There are four main types of batteries, AGM, Lithium, Gel and lead acid. It’s wise to get a battery that will last you a long time. That’s the only way through which you are going to end up recouping your costs. So, what is the lifespan of an AGM battery?
What is the lifespan of an AGM battery?
AGM batteries can last around 6 years when maintained properly. They usually last way longer than lead acid batteries. Deep cycle AGM batteries come with a number of advantages, some of which we are going to look at below. Longevity is but one of them.
However, you need to note that the way that you treat your battery ultimately determines it’s lifespan. If you do not charge your battery correctly or if you over discharge it, your AGM battery will not last long. It’s an important point because one mistake can ruin a n AGM battery.
Advantages of AGM batteries
That’s the answer to the question how long do AGM batteries last? This type of battery lasts very long. When setting up your off-grid system, you need to take this into consideration. Having your batteries last longer is a good way of recouping your costs. The following are some of the other advantages of AGM deep cycle batteries;
- AGM batteries are sealed. They are the same as gel batteries in this regard. It means you do not have to worry about the electrolyte in the battery leaking. For lead acid batteries, a leak can shorten the lifespan of the battery.
- You can discharge your AGM battery to a depth of discharge of over 50%. It means you will be using 50% of the battery’s capacity. That leaves a state of charge of 50%. That’s weaker performance that what you get with lithium batteries, but it’s still remarkable performance over lead acid battereis.
- AGM batteries also store a lot more power than lead acid batteries. Again, they fall by the wayside when compared with lithium batteries in this regard, but that’s offset by the fact that they are way cheaper.
- One thing to note is that AGM batteries are a lot more cheaper than lithium batteries. That’s the reason why most people prefer AGM batteries in spite of the obvious advantages that lithium batteries have to offer.
- AGM batteries have lower self discharge rates when compared to lead acid batteries. That’s another major advantage. You can leave yours for a while without having to worry about having to find a charger to float charge it.
Disadvantage of AGM batteries
In this post, we answered the question, how long do AGM batteries last. We noted that they have a lifespan of around 6 years. AGM batteries are great but they do have their flaws;
- AGM batteries are costilier than lead acid batteries. They are however, cheaper than lithium batteries.
- They can be prone to damage when charged incorrectly. AGM batteries will not forgive you. If you do not charge yours correctly, it will get damaged. You will no longer be able to use it.
- AGM batteries also have a fairly robust self discharge rate when compared to lithium batteries.
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Summary
In this article, we answered the question how long do AGM batteries last. It was noted that this type of battery has a lifespan of about 6 years. That depends on how well you handle the battery. If you charge it incorrectly, it will die instantly.
AGM batteries are popular in South Africa because they are less expensive when compared to lithium batteries. However, they have a lower energy density. You need a number of AGM batteries to reach the same energy level as a lithium battery.
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