AGM battery

[Perryb67]

Originally Posted by gordon2

Based on my research, I concluded that the concern over using "equalization" is that some chargers (solar or otherwise) could cause some AGM batteries to lose electrolyte (water). AGMs are "sealed" but must still be able to vent if the pressure builds up too far and some chargers could cause that. Because there is much variation in chargers, as well as differences in high much voltage different batteries can tolerate, there is inconsistency in the AGM battery recommendations. Lifeline still has at least one web page that says to use equalization and maybe that has changed (the linked page is not dated).

Equalization on an AGM will reverse mild sulfation and help prevent permanent sulfation. But it should be done after a normal charge cycle when the battery is at float level.

The way I handle it with my AGM is to only use equalization infrequently, and monitor the charging voltage while doing it, as to not allow it to exceed the specs for the battery. My charger seems to do it properly but YMMV. If you don't leave your battery discharged for long, the need for equalization is less.

Yup, when I went back to Lifelines web they are back to saying to equalize occasionally. However, read carefully, and they say do so if you can't get back to 100% charge, not necessarily as a standard practice, like with flooded. Last year when I was looking they had said their batteries no longer needed to be equalized. Something changed, so if you have Lifeline batteries they do say to equalize when needed.

So far we're not having any problems getting our Crowns to 100% charge, despite getting to 11.2v one time (accidentally turned our fridge to 12v). We'll see over time if we need equalization at some point. If so, like you, it will be done "infrequently."

Enjoy,

Perry