Battery tender types: I don't want any trouble.

[pethier]

I have an AGM-type battery in my Caterham.

 

I have a 3-amp charger/maintainer which has two settings:

 

Lead-Acid

and

Lithium

 

I am assuming that the Lithium setting is the kinder/gentler setting and can't harm an AGM battery.  Am I safe in assuming this?

[Timothy Keith-Lucas]

My understanding, and I am not a battery authoritarian, is that the Lead-Acid setting would be a better match.  AGM batteries are lead-acid, with a mat added, so the chemical processes are more like L-A than like Lithium. But then, at less than 3 amps and a maintaining circuit, I don't imagine your damaging it either way.

[Vovchandr]

AGM is indeed Lead Acid family. Don't use Lithium. Lithium is higher voltage, there's no trickle mode which LeadAcid needs and it might overcharge it on Lithium setting.

 

Good call on asking!

 

[wdb]

Or get a CTEK. I say this a lot, but I think it's a valid point; Jay Leno uses CTEKs on his hundreds of cars. I bought my first CTEK to attempt a refresh of the battery in a 2007 BMW E93. It took over a week to run through the process, but the battery lasted another 3 years (with regular use of the charger) so I was satisfied. I did have one charger go bad, but it failed by not charging the battery versus, say, catching fire, and the company promptly replaced it. So I continue to recommend them.

[Marek]

Yes, get a CTEK or Schauer; the preferred options on Odyssey's approved list of chargers.  Both will use the multi-step charging profile recommended by the manufacturers of these batteries.

[IamScotticus]

Get a charger designed for AGM chemistry.

I ruined 3 Harley Davidson batteries to learn this lesson. 

Smart units like CTEK and NOCO don't just continuously pump voltage, they analyze the state of charge and perform cycles specific to your battery chemistry for correct maintenance.

Edited Monday at 01:33 PM by IamScotticus

[Croc]

Chiming in to say CTEK here as well.  I have brought bad batteries back to life with a CTEK charger. 

[slowdude]

I use noco or odyssey.

 

The NOCO switches between lead acid, agm, and li-ion.

 

I found the li-ion not great, so i used odyssey. It is a much smarter charger for li-ion.

 

I have an extra noco genius one (I switched from a one battery charger to a two car setup to run a motorcycle as well). Make me an offer and I'll ship it out next weekend.

[Marek]

While the Odyssey is an AGM, not all AGMs are alike and Odyssey says their TPPL batteries require a specific charging profile.

 

From the Odyssey manual:

 

In order to recharge a battery that has been discharged, it is best to use an automatic charger with an AGM setting that has the appropriate charge voltage and current per recommendations. For optimum charging, the current output should at least 40% of the battery’s C10 rating. This means a battery that has a 10-hour rating of 100 amp hours should be charged with 40 amps. Charge current should never be less than 10% of the battery’s C10 rating. Voltages higher than 15.0 volts will cause irreversible damage to the battery. Please refer to Figure 2 below for a graphical representation of the recommended charge profile for ODYSSEY AGM2 batteries used in non-starting applications

 

 

The NOCO chargers I tried would not provide the 14.7 volts.  The battery would charge, but not within the Odyssey specs.

[wdb]

7 hours ago, Marek said:

(quoting Odyssey)

 

Please refer to Figure 2 below for a graphical representation of the recommended charge profile for ODYSSEY AGM2 batteries used in non-starting applications

 

 

That highlighted part has me scratching my head.

[Marek]

Apologies for not posting the link....

 

https://www.odysseybattery.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/odyssey-installation-operation-and-maintenance-manual.pdf

 

The excerpt above is on page 10.

[pethier]

1 hour ago, wdb said:

 

That highlighted part has me scratching my head.

>non-starting applications

 

How about coach batteries in an RV that does not have a gasoline or LP generator for 120V?

 

Maybe the 12v control-and-accessories battery in an Electric Vehicle

 

More-controversial perhaps, the battery used to run the trolling motor on a fishing boat?

[wdb]

9 hours ago, pethier said:

>non-starting applications

 

How about coach batteries in an RV that does not have a gasoline or LP generator for 120V?

 

Maybe the 12v control-and-accessories battery in an Electric Vehicle

 

More-controversial perhaps, the battery used to run the trolling motor on a fishing boat?

 

Sure, but we're talking about starting batteries in the thread. I was trying to determine whether the quoted entry was relevant. Reading the PDF file, it is clear. The section quoted starts "When used in cycling or stand-by power applications, an A/C powered charger can be used to recharge ODYSSEY AGM2 batteries."

 

More relevant to automotive use of Odyssey batteries, also from the PDF:

 

[quote]

K. Winter Storage

The ODYSSEY battery does not lose its charged energy during cold storage temperatures, so there is no need to trickle or float charge during winter months. To store off-season, measure the battery voltage to make sure it is fully charged, 12.84 volts or greater; recharge if necessary. Disconnect the negative battery cable to prevent any applied electrical load during storage. The ODYSSEY battery cannot freeze down to -40°F (-40°C), so it can be left in the vehicle. It can be stored for two years or more below 77°F (25°C). Charging is required at two years or 12.2 volts, whichever comes first. A 12-volt trickle charger can also be left connected to the battery if it is kept in storage for extended periods or if the battery is subject to parasitic loads during storage. The trickle charge voltage measured at the battery terminals must be between 13.5 volts and 13.8 volts. It is recommended to use the ODYSSEY battery charger for your battery. Additional information on ODYSSEY battery chargers, where to buy ODYSSEY battery chargers and ODYSSEY battery charging in general can be found at www.odysseybattery.com.

[/quote]

 

Edited Monday at 10:55 PM by wdb

[nc7s4]

I've been using a noco lithium ion battery in my car.  It's much lighter than an agm.  No downsides that I know of.

 

To maintain it it gets left on the noco lithium mode via quick disconnect near where I park it