What Kind of Charger Do I Need for AGM Batteries?
- by Joe Weber - updated on 2/22/2023
Your seasonal vehicles need routine maintenance. Their batteries are no different. If you want your ATV, motorcycle, boat, drag car or anything else that uses AGM batteries to be healthy and start after storing the batteries during the offseason, then you need to be equipped with the proper battery chargers and maintainers for AGM batteries. Otherwise, you could be left with a dead battery to start the season.
I Already Have A Battery Charger For A Flooded Battery, Can I Use It for My AGM Battery?
Well, that depends. Many newer chargers are designed to work with several chemistries and designs, like many NOCO automotive chargers we sell here at Batteries Plus. These chargers are specially engineered for use with multiple battery types and chemistries and will automatically adjust the charging steps to prevent damage to the batteries, no matter what battery is connected. It is safe to use these chargers if you have one.
What you want to avoid is using a charger specifically designed for flooded batteries on your AGM batteries. Flooded chargers will apply an equalization charge as its final step that purposefully overcharges the battery to remove any built up sulfation on the plates in each cell. An equalization charge should never be applied to AGM batteries because the voltage is too high for the VRLA (Valve Regulated Lead Acid) system in AGM batteries. This will lead to the release of built up hydrogen gas (known as gassing) and the eventual failure of the battery.
What Kind of Battery Charger Should I Use?
The answer to this question will depend on the type and size of battery you are trying to charge. We can group our recommendations into three categories:
Car and Truck
- For a high-end charging experience, the NOCO GENIUS10 10 Amp Automatic Charger can handle everything you throw at it from flooded, gel and maintenance free AGM batteries.
- The X2Power 7.5 Amp Automatic Charger is our high-quality charger that will charge your batteries including flooded, gel, AGM and even lithium. Great to pair with your X2Power car and truck batteries.
Powersport
- The X2Power 3.8 Amp Automatic Charger is perfect for charging your motorcycle, ATV, lawn mower and more all season long. It even works with our X2Power lithium powersport batteries.
- Having a maintainer on hand is a necessity for the offseason. The Battery Tender Weatherproof 12V 0.8 Amp Charger is the perfect addition to your arsenal. Just connect your battery and let it get to work, keeping your battery healthy all off-season long.
Marine
- Don't take out your batteries to charge them! Get a NOCO GENPRO 10x2 2-Bank, 20-Amp On-Board Battery Charger & Maintainer so you can just park your boat and plug the charger into an extension cord to start charging.
- Having a maintainer for your boat batteries is a must. The Battery Tender 5 amp Automatic Battery Charger & Maintainer is the perfect maintainer for your boat. Just connect your battery and let it get to work, keeping your battery for the spring.
Why Should I Charge My AGM Batteries Over the Winter?
Let's face it. Batteries are expensive. For a fraction of the cost of a new battery you can add a high quality AGM battery charger to your arsenal of tools. Save yourself some money in the long run by hooking your seasonal batteries up to a charger or maintainer to keep them healthy all off-season long so they are ready to roll for the start of the next season.
Most of our battery chargers and maintainers will work with both flooded and AGM batteries but there are some that are only designed to work with one type of battery. Be sure to read the label to make sure that the charger will work for your battery before purchasing.
What Should I Do If My Battery Is Bad?
If your battery isn't charging like it should or not staying charged as long as it used to, bring it into your local Batteries Plus to have it tested free of charge. If your battery ends up being salvageable, adding a new battery charger to repair your battery and return it to a like new condition is your next best course of action. If you do need a new battery we carry a large selection of batteries for any application to get you back on the road, water or trails.