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AGM battery charging is a critical step in ensuring a long service life. AGM batteries are used in a variety of applications. They are used to power your electronic devices, provide backup power to your UPS, power your car, and store renewable energy for future use, among other things. It is critical to charge your AGM battery properly if you want it to last for years. If you charge your AGM batteries incorrectly, they will age prematurely. That is, your batteries will die much faster than they were intended to. In fact, charging your AGM battery incorrectly may cause the cells to preheat, damaging the battery and causing it to die within hours. Follow the four charging tips below to ensure that your AGM battery lasts for years:
GET THE SUGGESTED CHARGER
Battery chargers are not intended to be one-size-fits-all devices. Some chargers are intended to deliver small amounts of power, while others are intended to deliver large amounts of power. In general, the larger the battery, the larger the charger required. The inverse is also true. The smaller the battery, the smaller the charger. When we talk about the “size” of a battery or a charger, we’re not referring to its physical dimensions. In fact, we’re discussing capacity, which is measured in amperes (Ah). Click here to learn more about how to choose an AGM battery charger.
UNDERSTAND HOW DIFFERENT BATTERIES ARE AFFECTED BY CHARGES
Many people believe that charging AGM batteries is the same as charging their laptop battery, but this is not the case. In fact, laptop batteries are a completely different technology. AGM batteries are lead acid, whereas laptop batteries are lithium. As a result, charging AGM batteries is unique and necessitates special charging procedures. For example, lithium batteries can be partially charged for a short period of time without causing significant damage. Charging AGM batteries necessitates a complete recharge of the battery. To give the batteries a “top up,” you should slightly overcharge them. Smart AGM chargers handle everything for you, so you don’t have to worry if you have one. If you only partially recharge an AGM battery, say up to 70% each time, the battery may eventually lose its ability to fully recharge to 100%. This means that the AGM battery can only be recharged to 70% capacity. Click here to read How to Charge and When to Charge? to learn more about how charges affect different batteries.
CHARGE AGM BATTERIES AT THE APPROPRIATE TEMPERATURE
The charge temperature range of AGM batteries is limited. This means that you should not charge AGM batteries if the temperature falls outside of this range. If the temperature rises above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), you should avoid charging all types of lead acid batteries. The charging of AGM batteries is also affected by cold weather. If the temperature falls below 0 degrees Celsius or 32 degrees Fahrenheit, you should avoid charging your batteries. While charging, it is critical to keep the temperature between 0 and 40 degrees Celsius to ensure the battery lasts as long as it is designed to.
DO NOT BE CONCERNED IF THE BATTERY WARMS UP
The cells of AGM batteries may become warm near the end of charging. This is typical of lead acid batteries. In fact, you can still use your electronic devices’ batteries while they are warm. Please be cautious and keep in mind that when we say it’s okay to use AGM batteries while they’re warm, we’re only referring to AGM batteries. This does not apply to small AA and AAA rechargeable batteries purchased at your local grocery store. Furthermore, when we say warm AGM battery, we do not mean hot. You should not use the battery if it is overheating. If you place your hand on the battery and feel some warmth, this is normal. If you notice that your AGM battery is becoming too warm during the charging process, you can disconnect it. Once the battery has cooled down, reconnect the charger to resume charging.
