Member Since: 16 Jan 2018
Location: Gibraltar
Posts: 597
AGM/wet batteries - yet again.
Hi all,
And firstly apologies for opening this discussion yet again.
But, I’m confused on this.
Looking to replace my failing starter battery with a new one, but getting caught up in the whole AGM vs wet issue.
I am aware the forum favourite is a ‘wet’ Exide 100Ah 950 CCA battery, but
My current battery is just over 2 years old, a Hankook MF60038 100Ah 850A CCA and no warranty, and only holds charge to 11.5 volts when settled in the car. So guessing the mix of short journeys and 50 mile round trip twice a week doesn’t suit ‘wet’ batteries.
The quicker ‘recharge’, ‘cold weather’ performance and ‘deep cycle’ resilience of AGM batteries certainly starts to sound attractive.
According to my local dealer, LR recommendation is part number LR094642; an LR badged rebranded Exide AGM, 95Ah, CCA 850A
So, “decision made” I thought, but I’ll just give Exide tech support a quick call.
Exide say that this catalogue is indeed their last produced advice, from 2014, but that they have just finished a marketing campaign to advise dealers NOT to recommend the figment of AGM batteries to cars that were not specifically designed for them.
So their info suggests the fitting of a wet battery, despite LRs advice to fit AGM, and Exides iOS app suggesting the AGM battery as an option for the disco 3.
BUT, when I pressed this, the advice came back to follow LRs current advice!
So now I’m totally confused ....
Has there been a change in battery tech that means AGMs are moe resilient in the face of overcharging?
Have LR started recommending AGM batteries in D3s because they’ve tested the alternator as AGM safe?
Is the whole AGM thing just scaremongering?
Did the chicken come before he egg?
Someone must have the answers!!!
Especially for the chicken thing as that’s been annoying me for decades .....
So, great and wise forum, what’s the verdict, and does anyone have AGM and been fine, or indeed burned?
Kind regards
Andy
17th Dec 2018 5:46 pm
Ceekay
Member Since: 17 May 2009
Location: Bury
Posts: 2089
Think people are in two minds on the forum going on previous posts.
Speaking from my own personal experience I ran an AGM battery purchased from LR (with forum discount of course) for years and I found it great. I did charge it will my ctek every few weeks as I don't do much mileage and in winter months was using all the toys inc FBH manually most days.
Seemed fabulous and very resilient D4 HSE Lux MY16 Club Waitomo
D3 HSE MY06 missing her still…
17th Dec 2018 6:00 pm
MrBrain
Member Since: 12 Mar 2014
Location: bucks
Posts: 472
I got confused too - but I bought an AGM for the V8 in the end.
17th Dec 2018 6:09 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73038
My D4 had an Exide AGM fitted Oct 16 and 2 years/35k later I thought all was well until I took out the aux battery setup and that was not a happy battery. But it had enough charge to start it when being flogged so job done.
17th Dec 2018 6:40 pm
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8211
IMHO in an ideal world like tyres you need two types, winter-AGM, summer-wet.It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
17th Dec 2018 7:15 pm
SteveNorman
Member Since: 14 Oct 2005
Location: Somerset
Posts: 1145
My personal choice would be the ea1000 wet exide, due to it being 100 over the spec of the agm.
We test batteries every service (many tests per week).
Agm’s in the D3, D4 and Freelander seem to test quite under spec within a couple of years from new.
The wet battery seems to stay up to spec for longer.
The ea1000 usually tests over spec when new. The AGM is sometimes slightly under spec when new, both the genuine Landrover and the Exide aftermarket.
Hope that makes sense.
I think if the AGM was 950 amps spec when new, it might fare better.
Also bear in mind, the AGM is 850 amps SAE, whereas the exide ea1000 is 900 EN which is 950 SAE, but quite often tests new at over 1000 SAE!
Regards
Steve
17th Dec 2018 9:05 pm
XDAndy
Member Since: 16 Jan 2018
Location: Gibraltar
Posts: 597
Thanks all.
Yet more confusion!
Steve, I think your experience is pretty convincing, so thank you, and Ceekay your personal experience is also helpful.
But also M3DRO, DSL and MrBrain, thanks for taking the time.
I guess my dilemma is that I’ve got a ‘wet’ battery just 2 years old and failing, and AGM is all shiny and sparkly and new (ok, new since the 1980s, so like nearly 40 years, but still younger than me!)
Can’t shake the feeling that BOTH are the wrong choice.
Anyone make a LiPo for the D3 ..... that got to work .......... ;P
17th Dec 2018 9:23 pm
John P
Member Since: 12 Aug 2011
Location: West Sussex
Posts: 1279
I installed an AGM battery ((S6013/S6002) Bosch Silver 019AGM Battery) in August 2013, and I've found this winter I'm having to use my AUX battery to avoid the dreaded error messages on the dash. Without the AUX support, I don't think it would be coping very well. So I need a replacement so not sure what to get this time round.
17th Dec 2018 9:39 pm
SteveNorman
Member Since: 14 Oct 2005
Location: Somerset
Posts: 1145
We spent a lot of time testing different makes of battery & when new, many didn't reach the sticker rating, including many top names.
If it's helpful, we started supplying Exide about 6 years ago, we have just had to renew some of those supplied in 2012.
So, for us, 6 years seems about the life.
I think the Guarantee is 4 years, but I've not used it yet.
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