Re: [A/S] What are AGM batteries?

["Jim Dunmyer" <jdunmyer@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Chas,
 Battery life is dependent on many factors, and it isn't as simple as "GC
batteries last a year and AGMs will go 3 years".

Depth of discharge is a big factor in battery life: keep it to less than 50%
of the battery's rating (in AH) and it'll help a lot.

Charging is another factor. Incomplete charging or overcharging due to a
mis-regulated or simple constant-voltage charger will shorten the life of
your batteries, as will letting them sit in a discharged condition.

AGMs are somewhat more tolerant of deep discharges and sitting in a
discharged condition, but are LESS tolerant of poor charging techniques.
Especially over-charging.

Your guy is probably correct about short life of GC batteries in a Golf
Cart, as they're no doubt abused in both of the above aspects. However, I'm
coming up on the 3rd year of use on my cart, which was used when I bought
it; hard telling how old the batteries are. BTW: in a golf cart, there's 6
batteries, wired in series, for 36 volts. The AH remains at 220 or so.

Anyone who is unhappy about the performance of their battery bank owes it to
themselves to get educated on the subject. It's not all that complicated,
and you really need to start with a good charging system and THEN worry
about the batteries.

                                                               <<Jim>>