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As the transportation industry has evolved, so has the power behind it. From vehicles going fully electric to auxiliary enhancements onboard high-tech motorboats and All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) – the battery landscape has innately adapted to these significant technological changes and in how we get our application from start to finish – whether on the road, on the racetrack or on the water. AGM2 is the latest generation of Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) technology and offers many benefits to customers across a variety of applications.
So, what exactly is AGM2 and how does it differ from traditional AGM technology? Let’s explore this topic in more detail to understand its value to customers.
What is AGM2?
AGM2 is a new generation of Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) battery technology, delivering twice the power and three times the life of conventional AGM and flooded lead acid batteries. AGM2 batteries are engineered with super high-grade materials and a refined chemical formula that uses Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) technology.
Why AGM2?
In recent years, the electrical load demands of fleets, watercraft and heavy-duty vehicles have increased significantly. Evidence shows that this is leading to a rise in vehicle issues as conventional lead acid batteries are unable to cope with the heavy demand. AGM2 batteries were developed to address these industry changes and help deliver uninterrupted, long-lasting power that customers can rely on while in route to their destination.
When you see the AGM2 badge on an ODYSSEY® battery from EnerSys, it means that the battery has been tried and tested to deliver exceptional results for modern applications in the harshest environments, from demanding start-stop requirements to operating in extreme temperatures as high as 176°F (80°C) to as low as -40°F (-40°C).
How is AGM2 different?
To answer this question, we must start from the beginning. The advent of AGM batteries in the mid-1970s offered users a virtually maintenance-free energy storage solution with maximum power and charging capabilities. Unlike conventional flooded lead acid batteries that have positive and negative plates with paper or less durable separators that are immersed in an electrolyte solution of dilute sulfuric acid, an AGM battery contains a glass mat separator made of fiberglass that is placed between each plate to absorb the electrolyte. This makes the battery spill proof without additional water or electrolyte ever needed. Since the plates can be packed tighter than conventional lead acid batteries, AGM batteries also offer better extreme shock and vibration resistance.
However, AGM technology alone with its many-decades-long heritage, can only be pushed so far before the limitations of the chemistry and materials are exposed, which is what is being seen now with premature failures due to the increased demands of modern vehicles and machinery.
AGM2 is different in that it combines three major technical advancements into one battery: 1. super-high-grade materials; 2. refined chemical formula and 3. TPPL technology. This sets AGM2 batteries apart in terms of power, fast-charge acceptance, shelf-life, durability and most of all being able to provide the customer with a lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
The ODYSSEY® Battery AGM2 Advantage
Most AGM batteries have plates made from recycled lead, requiring the addition of additives to make the plates rigid. Over time, this can lead to plate corrosion and a higher rate of self-discharge.
The plates within an ODYSSEY® AGM2 battery are made from 99 percent pure lead (not recycled lead or alloy). This unique feature, combined with pure lead oxides, high purity electronic grade acids and advanced plate engineering, helps place ODYSSEY® AGM2 batteries in a class of their own.
Due to the purity of the materials, the plates in an ODYSSEY® AGM2 battery are much thinner than plates in a conventional lead acid battery, allowing more plates to be used, resulting in more surface area for a reaction to occur with the electrolyte, delivering more power – without compromising service life.
Pure lead also self-discharges at a much slower rate than batteries containing additives, which means an ODYSSEY® AGM2 battery has a shelf life of up to 2 years before needing recharging. Its unique design protects against high impact shock and mechanical vibration – two common causes of premature battery failure.
ODYSSEY® AGM2 batteries offer up to three times the life of conventional flooded batteries or other AGM battery designs and have the highest recharge efficiency of any sealed lead acid battery on the market; they are capable of 100 percent recharge in 4-6 hours.
In addition, all ODYSSEY® AGM2 batteries provide enormous cranking power, deep cycle reserve power and engine cranking pulses up to 2,250 amps for 5 seconds – double to triple that of equally sized conventional batteries, even at very low temperatures. They can also handle up to 900 charge-discharge cycles to 50 percent Depth of Discharge (DOD). The batteries’ deep cycle capabilities also allow them to power accessories and systems when needed, such as winches, auxiliary lights, navigation and A/C compressors, as well as all start/stop applications.
AGM2 battery comparison (example only)
| Flooded Wet Cell | EFB | AGM | ODYSSEY®AGM2 | |
| Non-spillable design | No | No | YES | YES |
| True TPPL | No | No | No | YES |
| Capable of up to 80% Depth of Discharge | No | No | No | YES |
| Up to 2-year shelf-life | No | No | No | YES |
| Unlimited charge current acceptance | No | No | No | YES |
| Can operate up to 176°F (80°C)* | No | No | No | YES |
| Can operate down to -40°F (-40°C) | No | No | No | YES |
* ODYSSEY Extreme battery models
Check out our websites at www.odysseybattery.com and www.eu.odysseybattery.com for the latest ODYSSEY® battery global news and updates.
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ABOUT ENERSYS
EnerSys, the global leader in stored energy solutions for industrial applications, designs, manufactures and distributes energy systems solutions and motive power batteries, specialty batteries, battery chargers, power equipment, battery accessories and outdoor equipment enclosure solutions to customers worldwide. The company goes to market through four lines of business: Energy Systems, Motive Power, Specialty and New Ventures. Energy Systems, which combine power conversion, power distribution, energy storage, and enclosures, are used in the telecommunication, broadband and utility industries, uninterruptible power supplies, and numerous applications requiring stored energy solutions. Motive power batteries and chargers are utilized in electric forklift trucks and other industrial electric powered vehicles. Specialty batteries are used in aerospace and defense applications, portable power solutions for soldiers in the field, large over-the-road trucks, premium automotive, medical and security systems applications. New Ventures provides energy storage and management systems for various applications including demand charge reduction, utility back-up power, and dynamic fast charging for electric vehicles. EnerSys also provides aftermarket and customer support services to its customers in over 100 countries through its sales and manufacturing locations around the world. More information regarding EnerSys can be found at www.enersys.com.
SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability at EnerSys is about more than just the benefits and impacts of our products. Our commitment to sustainability encompasses many important environmental, social and governance issues. Sustainability is a fundamental part of how we manage our own operations. Minimizing our environmental footprint is a priority. Sustainability is our commitment to our employees, our customers and the communities we serve. Our products facilitate positive environmental, social and economic impacts around the world. To learn more visit: https://www.enersys.com/en/about-us/sustainability/.