The AGM battery and the standard lead acid battery are technically the same when it comes to their base chemistry. They both use lead plates and an electrolyte mix of sulfuric acid and water and have a chemical reaction that produces hydrogen and oxygen as a byproduct. However, this is when they start to diverge. Here’s how:
Battery storage is becoming an increasingly popular addition to solar energy systems. Two of the most common battery chemistry types are lithium-ion and lead acid. As their names imply, lithium-ion batteries are made with the metal lithium, while lead-acid batteries are made with lead. How do lithium-ion and lead acid batteries work?
Flooded lead acid batteries are much more tolerant to overcharging than AGM batteries. The sealed aspect of AGM batteries makes them more prone to thermal runaway, which can be triggered by overcharging. Even if you discount thermal runaway, overcharging will shorten an AGM battery’s lifespan faster.
While it is normal to use 85 percent or more of a lithium-ion battery’s total capacity in a single cycle, lead acid batteries should not be discharged past roughly 50 percent, as doing so negatively impacts the battery's lifetime.
Lead-acid batteries are the traditional type of rechargeable battery, commonly found in vehicles, boats, and backup power systems. Lead-acid batteries are generally more affordable upfront compared to AGM batteries, making them a popular choice for budget-conscious consumers.
The flooded lead acid battery (FLA battery) is the most common lead acid battery type and has been in use over a wide variety of applications for over 150 years. It’s often referred to as a standard or conventional lead acid battery. You’ll also hear these conventional batteries called a wet cell battery — because of their liquid electrolyte.