AGM battery

[buc1980]

I heard that a AGM battery is not recommend for 2017 Ford F350 because the alternator will charge them wrong and it short the life of the battery.Anybody know that?

[RoyJ]

Usually you don't want to exceed 14.7V with AGM, as it may increase pressure beyond value safety settings, and outgas. That's a permanent loss of electrolyte.

Other than that, there's no reason why AGM can't be used in a specific vehicle. They're better than flooded in every way except cost.

[Grit_dog]

ScottG wrote:
Vehicles that come from the factory with AGM's have a slightly lower system voltage. That is the reason they are not a good retro-fit for normal systems. The higher voltage seems to shorten their lives.

I can't refute whether AGM equipped vehicles charge at lower voltage, but my small sample size of AGMs in vehicles that did not come with AGMs does not support shorter battery life.
Best example is a set of Odyssey AGMs that started life in our boat(s) in 2009 and 2011 respectively.
In 2013 I put them in our 07 Dodge diesel. They lasted until the spring of 2020. So 9 and 11 years old. Dunno which was which, whether it was the newer one or older one that gave out, but I was pleased with the life of the batteries.

[ScottG]

Vehicles that come from the factory with AGM's have a slightly lower system voltage. That is the reason they are not a good retro-fit for normal systems. The higher voltage seems to shorten their lives.

[time2roll]

buc1980 wrote:
I heard that a AGM battery is not recommend for 2017 Ford F350 because the alternator will charge them wrong and it short the life of the battery.Anybody know that?

NO. I don't buy that.

For superior cranking amps and slight advantage on voltage, additional freeze resistance, faster charging, zero maintenance AGM is a great choice at a premium price.

https://www.odysseybattery.com/products/odx-agm65-battery-65-pc1750t/

[Grit_dog]

dodge guy wrote:
An AGM is a much more stable battery, can be ran down a bit farther than FLA batteries. For these 2 reasons they are a better choice!

No no nooo! You got it all wrong, lol.
The old farts above (some of which are our resident camper battery geeks) say it’s a bad idea , not necessary, foolish etc.
Oh wait, they’ll say the opposite to basically anything….

[dodge_guy]

An AGM is a much more stable battery, can be ran down a bit farther than FLA batteries. For these 2 reasons they are a better choice!

[Grit_dog]

But regardless of all the "reasons" y'all appear to have for why you don't need an AGM battery, the fact is, they will work just fine in a 2017 F250, or any other vehicle.

[theoldwizard1]

There really is only one benefit for a AGM battery. No liquid. Not sure if that would be worth the extra cost in a typical under hood installation.

[JKJavelin]

valhalla360 wrote:
The real question is why bother for a starting battery.

The main advantage of AMG is they don't spill if you roll them over. Great on a boat or a stunt plane...not so much for a starting battery.

I would say the biggest reason is that they are maintenance free. A lot of people these days don't even know how to open the hood.
JK

[valhalla360]

The real question is why bother for a starting battery.

The main advantage of AMG is they don't spill if you roll them over. Great on a boat or a stunt plane...not so much for a starting battery.

[dodge_guy]

I ran an AGM in my 02 V-10 Excursion for near 10 years, still was in there when I sold it. I also run one in my wife’s 13 Explorer with no issues. 2 years ago I put one in my 12 V-10 Class A. AGMs work fine, I’m fact a lot of the newer vehicles come with them from the factory.

[blt2ski]

Possibly. Not just Ford's.

AGM batteries can be charged at 40% of lost amps vs lead at 25%,gel at20%.
So if you have too small if a power source, the battery will not charge correctly. Or you will blow up power source, ie alternator because you are working it too hard
This is a big issue in boats, with house battery makeups many times bigger than land yachts.

Marty