Is old battery toast and ? on charging new AGM

[Skook]

Last week after an outing, I put my trolling battery on charge. It came with the used boat that I bought a year ago. The previous owner told me that it was a gel cell. It has a row of flat cells on top, but they can't be opened. The previous owner worked as an electrician in a large manufacturing plant. This battery has no commercial markings, and it looks like something that might have been used in an industrial-type setting.

Anyway, I put it on a Schumacher SE 70-MA charger, which is a 10 amp automatic deep-cycle charger. When I checked the battery after hours on charge, I noticed that it was leaking goop (electrolyte/acid?). I took it off charge and set it aside. After a few days, I noticed that it doesn't appear to be leaking anymore. In fact, it didn't leak much more at all once I removed it from the charger.

Is there a chance that this battery is still good, or is it toast?

I went out and bought a new Cabela's AGM as a replacement. I called Schumacher, and they said to put the charger on "automotive" instead of "deep cycle" to charge the AGM battery. However the customer rep didn't make it sound like my charger is ideal for AGM batteries; however, he didn't sound like he was 100% sure what he was talking about. Any advice?

I know very little about batteries and chargers, and so any help is appreciated.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Is old battery toast and ? on charging new AGM

The original battery is most likely toast.

AGM batteries require a different charging pattern than other types for maximum life, so your best bet is to buy a charger that specifically charges this type. My $50 Schumacher has this capability.

 

[Skook]

Re: Is old battery toast and ? on charging new AGM

I was afraid you'd say that. I just bought the charger last year, and I think it was about $80. I guess I'll need to get another one so I don't ruin the new AGM battery.

I fished with the AGM today. Should I put it on charge until I get a new charger, or would I be better off leaving it discharged for a few days until I get the new charger?

 

[Outsider]

Re: Is old battery toast and ? on charging new AGM

AGM batteries require a different charging pattern than other types for maximum life,

There are three (3) battery technologies commonly available today: lead-acid, AGM, and gel. 'Gel' technology requires a special charging regimen, lead-acid and AGM do not.

Have your original battery load tested. Have you charged it previously, and with what charger?

 

[Skook]

Re: Is old battery toast and ? on charging new AGM

Yes, I charged the old battery probably about six or eight times after fishing trips over the past year+ with the Schumacher SE 70-MA 10 amp automatic charger. Also, over the winter, I put the battery on charge every month or two.

Where do I get it load tested - an auto parts store or mechanic?

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: Is old battery toast and ? on charging new AGM

AGM batteries require a different charging pattern than other types for maximum life,

There are three (3) battery technologies commonly available today: lead-acid, AGM, and gel. 'Gel' technology requires a special charging regimen, lead-acid and AGM do not.

Have your original battery load tested. Have you charged it previously, and with what charger?

Not entirely true...
AGM does have a preferred charging regimen. Can't speak for Gel. My charger has an option for AGM, but not for Gel.

TerryMSU

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Is old battery toast and ? on charging new AGM

I think all of you need to read this, Most of what i have been reding in the thread is not correct.

Battery Stuff

 

[Skook]

Re: Is old battery toast and ? on charging new AGM

There is a lot of good reading on that site, but when it comes to my specific question about charging the AGM battery, this is about all it says:

"Some Gel Cell and AGM batteries may require special settings or chargers."

I've been scouring the Internet for something that tells me specifically whether I can use my current charger for an AGM battery, and I have found nothing which tells me definitively that I can or cannot. In fact, I read most of that exact tutorial before I posted here.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Is old battery toast and ? on charging new AGM

Not entirely true...
AGM does have a preferred charging regimen. Can't speak for Gel. My charger has an option for AGM, but not for Gel.

TerryMSU

Mine has separate settings for standard, AGM, and gel cell batteries. The owner's manual doesn't go beyond saying to select the proper one for your battery, though. But I can't fathom why there would be separate settings if the batteries didn't require them.

 

[seabob4]

Re: Is old battery toast and ? on charging new AGM

Gel cells cannot handle the output voltage that AGMs and Lead Acid batts can. There is usually a setting for lead acid/AGM, and a setting for Gel cell...

 

[Skook]

Re: Is old battery toast and ? on charging new AGM

My SE-70MA has a "manual" setting, an automatic "maintenance-free automotive" setting and an automatic "deep cycle" setting.

According to the customer rep, the "deep cycle" setting's voltage is too high for the AGM. The "maintenance-free automotive" setting would be better for the AGM. However, he didn't sound completely sure about what he was saying and didn't have good answers when I asked him what the differences were between my settings and the AGM setting on some of their other chargers.

The thing that gets me is that Schumacher's other marine automatic chargers with the AGM setting are actually less expensive than the charger I bought last year. I can't afford to buy a new charger if the one I have is perfectly good. I think I'll call them back and hope to get a different rep on the phone just to clarify things.

 

[seabob4]

Re: Is old battery toast and ? on charging new AGM

On REAL Marine chargers, you have one setting for lead acid/AGM, and one setting for gel. That's the deal, trust me I install them. ProMariner, Guest, Charles, Xantrex...

 

[4JawChuck]

Re: Is old battery toast and ? on charging new AGM

An AGM battery is simply a regular lead acid battery constructed in a different fashion to get a specific operational result (like low outgassing and usage in non upright configuration).

Its charged exactly the same as a regular lead acid battery as described in other posts in this thread. I have had the best results with electronic "pulse" chargers, they seem to maintain battery's better than the cheap "always on" chargers.

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: Is old battery toast and ? on charging new AGM

An AGM battery is simply a regular lead acid battery constructed in a different fashion to get a specific operational result (like low outgassing and usage in non upright configuration).

Its charged exactly the same as a regular lead acid battery as described in other posts in this thread. I have had the best results with electronic "pulse" chargers, they seem to maintain battery's better than the cheap "always on" chargers.

Well, we all have some things to learn (me too)...

See the following, also look at the other Tech-tip links on this site.

http://www.optimabatteries.com/product_support/charging_agmbattery.php

TerryMSU

 

[Skook]

Re: Is old battery toast and ? on charging new AGM

On REAL Marine chargers, you have one setting for lead acid/AGM, and one setting for gel. That's the deal, trust me I install them. ProMariner, Guest, Charles, Xantrex...

I am not doubting what you said. I've read and learned much from your posts here. I'm just describing what I have. It is a portable charger and not an onboard marine charger.

I have a 14' aluminum utility that is stored outside year-round. I take the batteries out after every trip and store them in my basement. Any advice on a good portable charger for AGMs, or is the one I have workable?

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: Is old battery toast and ? on charging new AGM

I am not doubting what you said. I've read and learned much from your posts here. I'm just describing what I have. It is a portable charger and not an onboard marine charger.

I have a 14' aluminum utility that is stored outside year-round. I take the batteries out after every trip and store them in my basement. Any advice on a good portable charger for AGMs, or is the one I have workable?

Skook:

I bought mine at a Black and Decker outlet store at an outlet mall near me for about $40. It was a last minute purchase. I like it and have no complaints.

TerryMSU

 

[CHAWK46]

Re: Is old battery toast and ? on charging new AGM

From experience, I put new AGMs in both my jet skis last year. During the winter I fried both using the Deep Cycle/Maintenance free setting. As a matter of fact, I left the second on the charger all evening and when I walked down to my shop, the whole place smelled similar to sulfuric acid and the battery was smoking hot.