All Optima batteries, generally, are Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries, significantly being costlier than their mainstream flooded counterparts. So, when people ask about how long do AGM batteries last, there is no easy answer. The question leads to a variety of factors to be considered since all AGM batteries are not the same.
The lifetime expectancy period can be somewhere between a couple of months to several years because of the Absorbent glass mat (AGM) battery type:
- A better power cell type compared to the existing mainstream battery types.
- The power cell with safety features of a unique chemical structure to work better with holding a charge and providing efficient performance.
- A battery type to offer long service life comparatively than other battery types.
How long do AGM batteries last: AGM Battery Type
A mainstream AGM sealed-battery type, in usual cases, is known to last anywhere between three to five years. An extension of up to 6-8 years can be regarded if the battery is maintained properly.
We can enlist a bunch of factors that directly has involvement in the lifespan of the battery type. Keep carefully away from such factors as properly maintaining an AGM battery is imperative to extend its life.
Determining the lifespan of a battery
A battery lifespan considerably varies as per its usage, its maintenance, and the charging system besides other factors like the temperature, the type of the battery, etc.
12-Volts Gel or AGM batteries
The lifespan of a 12-volts Gel battery commonly with AGM battery at the unused and charged position is at a maximum of six years. Afterward, with the float voltage of 6 years at an average of 25ºC ambient temperature, 80% of the original capacity of the battery is still retained.
Average temperatures at higher-level work to shorten the battery lifespan. For some 12-volts Gel batteries, approximately 20% discharge can be taken up to 500 full-cycles and then, charge full capacity back.
For most manufacturers, a remaining capacity of 80% means batteries need to be spent at, however, the battery barely needs an immediate replacement. Therefore, replacing the battery is barely a necessity after 500 full-cycles or 6 years or. An average of 7 year’s usage considers normal for12-volts Gel/AGM batteries.
2-volts traction Gel batteries
With the lifespan of minimum15 years, 2-volts traction Gel cells may achieve a maximum of 1000-1500 full-charge while 20% of capacity is discharged down. It is exactly why they are compatible with larger systems having intensive use that demands a very long lifespan.
Lithium-Ion batteries
Lithium-Ion batteries lifespan circle around 2000 cycles being 3-times longer than the epic lead-acid batteries. The lengthy lifespan comes due to multiple aspects including management of the battery, below average self-discharge, and the memory effect lacking with a maximum 20% discharge.
Factors Affecting the AGM Battery Life
Being aware of harmful factors having the potential to directly affect the AGM battery life leads to a healthy and long-living battery with optimum performance deliverance. It will also guaranty for you to avoid the probabilities of significant casualties that may shorten battery life.
Climate Condition
Cold weather conditions are usually a prime reason for batteries failing to deliver expected performance while higher-temperature weather quickly discharges the batteries. So, exposure to both climates significantly tampers with the AGM battery life expectancy. Certainly, you must prevent the batteries from the exposure to the utmost weather conditions.
Sulfating
This is actually a notorious condition of accumulating sulfate-buildups by the battery plates working as another factor directly leading to battery death. The condition of sulfation puts layers on the battery plates and it loses the ability to hold its charge leading to their death.
Complete Battery Discharging
Completely drained Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) batteries are so discharged it is hard to recover them. Fully discharged batteries, hence, significantly cut the battery life expectancy down. So, for achieving that extension period in the life-cycle of your battery, you must work on avoiding to let your battery go completely depleted.
Tips to a Healthy Battery Service
You cannot but take care of your AGM Battery type properly in order to extend its battery life with some uplifting tips. First, the lifespan will depend on cleanliness and well-done maintenance. Also for the AGM Battery, one of the advantages is the durability, they do not feed on constant charging.
The factory-recommended chargers are hugely needful because AGM batteries are quite charger-specific. Each type of AGM battery comes with specified recommended chargers having sufficient voltage capacity for charging them. In the case of AGM lead-acid batteries, the partial charge can be reactive and lose the ability to hold full capacity.
Prim and proper steps will always keep the battery sound and healthy while providing a better chance of surviving each tough factors, the battery may be subjected to.