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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: luvrbus on January 05, 2009, 10:19:24 AM

Title: Cleaning the Mess from a AGM battery that has vented
Post by: luvrbus on January 05, 2009, 10:19:24 AM
What do you use to clean up the acid from a AGM battery that has vented I used baking soda and a pressrue washer at a car wash is there anything else I need to do, I am starting to have questions about these AGM batteries if it is worth the price you pay for AGM so far I have not had a good experience with the LifeLine 300amp 6V batteries answers anyone     thanks and good luck
Title: Re: Cleaning the Mess from a AGM battery that has vented
Post by: Jeremy on January 05, 2009, 11:05:43 AM
I cannot help with your specific question about cleaning up the acid, but I'd probably be more anxious to know why it vented in the first place - as far as I know you cannot 'top up' an AGM battery, so it must now inevitably be of diminished capacity, and probably even more prone to venting in the future.

AGMs need to be charged at a much lower rate than conventional batteries - if yours vented during charging you presumably need to switch your charger to it's 'AGM' setting if it has one, or get a different charger.

Jeremy


Title: Re: Cleaning the Mess from a AGM battery that has vented
Post by: belfert on January 05, 2009, 11:38:37 AM
Any AGM battery that vents is pretty much junk at that point.  A good AGM battery that isn't overcharged should never vent.

I've talked to various battery manufacturers and distributors and they have all said AGMs can be charged at the same settings as flooded if your charger is not AGM specific.  Now, gel cells do require a special setting. 
Title: Re: Cleaning the Mess from a AGM battery that has vented
Post by: Jeremy on January 05, 2009, 12:01:16 PM
Quote from: belfert on January 05, 2009, 11:38:37 AM
I've talked to various battery manufacturers and distributors and they have all said AGMs can be charged at the same settings as flooded if your charger is not AGM specific.  Now, gel cells do require a special setting. 

You're quite right; I've got myself confused between AGM and Gel before - as belfert says it is Gel batteries that need to be charged at a much slower rate.
I think the rest of my reply was correct though, fingers crossed.

Jeremy
Title: Re: Cleaning the Mess from a AGM battery that has vented
Post by: luvrbus on January 05, 2009, 12:17:27 PM
Jeremy, I knew AGM batteries have no current limitations or voltage regulated charge( not the way I charge the batteries) but that's the reason I bought the AGMs and at a high over charge they just produce 2% hydrogen far below 4.1 for flammability.Belfert I also know they are junk when they vent but my question was about cleanup after the vent and it is up to Lifeline to explain the reason for the vent since they manufactured the battery and I will post their answer for you guys, it ticks me off to pay $400.00 ea for batteries that gives you a problem every 3 months this is my second set of 6 batteries     good luck
Title: Re: Cleaning the Mess from a AGM battery that has vented
Post by: belfert on January 05, 2009, 12:34:53 PM
I guess I should have used the quote feature.  The battery being junk comment was directed to Jeremy whose post talked about future use of a vented AGM battery.
Title: Re: Cleaning the Mess from a AGM battery that has vented
Post by: Jeremy on January 05, 2009, 01:05:17 PM
Are you suggesting all the acid was lost, meaning that the battery is now completely dead in every way? If it's vented as catastrophically as that then it must be due to an internal fault of some sort - which I now realise you have already worked out.

I guess I should have given this post a miss!

Jeremy
Title: Re: Cleaning the Mess from a AGM battery that has vented
Post by: Ed Hackenbruch on January 05, 2009, 02:36:17 PM
How are you using these batteries? As house batteries?  That might be the problem.  From what i was just reading on a battery website,  gel batteries are better for deep cycling, ie. house batteries. and agm batteries are better for light cycling and engine starting.  Both of those have a shorter life cycle than flooded cells but they are safer, more efficient in charging and discharging than flooded cells and more $$$$.
Title: Re: Cleaning the Mess from a AGM battery that has vented
Post by: luvrbus on January 05, 2009, 03:28:13 PM
Ed,I do use the AGM for the house I received an answer from Lifeline and was because the seal was broken causing the problem and they are shipping 6 new ones for pickup in Quartzsite at Solar Bill's free of charge,FWIW they do stand behind their product but any more trouble with the AGM I am going back to golf cart batteries I can purchase 6 from Sam's for the price of 1 300 amp Lifeline I do like the Lifeline AGM they can set for months and still have a 95% charge    good luck
Title: Re: Cleaning the Mess from a AGM battery that has vented
Post by: junkman42 on January 05, 2009, 03:55:46 PM
Just My two cents worth.  I have tried AGM's in My sailboat, from Harley Davidson for bikes and in various devices from a street rod to a pulling tractor and they always take a dump, vent and never last half as long as cheap golf cart batteries!  Let Me throw out one thing about series golf cart batteries.  Two series 6 volt battery's never quite attain the same voltage as a twelve volt common case battery.  I know it does not make sense but I have no doubt that this is true.  Quite often two six volt battery's will boil at less voltage than a common case battery.  I feel quite sure that there will be the naysayers but I have observed this to many times to have any doubt.  Use wet paste made from baking soda to neutralize battery acid.  Good luck, regards John.
Title: Re: Cleaning the Mess from a AGM battery that has vented
Post by: Sojourner on January 05, 2009, 05:52:57 PM
I would check your charging voltage setting according AGM manufacture for spec and temperature.

Sealed Lead Acid Absorbed Glass Matt Batteries (http://www.users.bigpond.com/solarbbq/batteriesrejuvenating.htm)

FWIW

Sojourn for Christ, Gerald