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AGM batteries

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I have had a failure with an agm  battery fitted to the wifes 2 year old car. I notice that the battery feels like its full of acid sloshing about.  I thought AGM  was designed to avoid  having acid in liquid form. Any idea whats going on??.

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Why not contact the company that made it?

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No markings ,probably Chinese.Useless dealers, Halfords computer had a blue funk.I'm on my own again. Guesswork!!. I will probably have to check the charging voltage of the car to determine what type of battery SHOULD be fitted. Last time I will allow wife to choose a car. (you can have any type of black and it must have Morris Minor on the bonnet!)

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There must be a catalogue for to look at to determine what battery you need. Have a look at MotoBatt as they make good batteries.

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No luck there.    The issue is ,I do not know what the car should have , The fitted battery was total crap and although had an AGM sticker it clearly was a flooded cell type. If the maindealer can't get it right when the vehicle is new ,no point in asking them.I suspect the cars are only fitted with a battery when the dealer rings the depot for a bulk delivery.The handbook is no help.The best I can do is get it running and analise the charging to determine what the car is doing.I think the voltage of the charge is different for the 2 types. Bit sad that I can't trust dealers,but 3 different dealer workshops have made very effective attempts to kill me over the years , this cat has only one life left now.

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Usually here is a warranty period with new batteries, 2-5 years. The supplier should replace with no question. What is the car in question. many good websites, EUROCAR PARTS for example,have fitting lists

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Interesting . 2 batteries recommended ,one with half the cranking amps of the existing batt,. the other with enough power only £264  3year guarantee !!  not clear what the types are but I can get a 5 year no quibble replacement  AGM for £120 from Halfords  less 20% discount. £100. Just hope the charge system  won't destroy it. The car is a KIA Venga 2017  1.6 Auto. NOT start/stop. 2 year only guarantee from Kia ,no help there at 26months.

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I can't see how the charging system could destroy the battery unless faulty. Non stop start batteries are lissted for thai car from abou t£100, check dimensions and location of connecting posts,

Most batteries fitted at the factory are good gfor  a decade. My  wifes peugeot 206 is still on the original factory  battery.

Bad luck.

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Can I suggest you go to your local independent motor factor. They will use your reg. number to identify the exact vehicle, and then let you know exactly what battery will be suitable. Personally I’d avoid the likes of  Halfrauds and Euro CarParts. There are plenty of dodgy batteries around and this is why I’d recommend you fitting a known type, Banner, ‘Exide, Yuasa, Platinum etc.  Your local indie will be aware of what to avoid. Use their experience. 

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Halfords, Euro car parts and GSF etc, also sell the quality/known brand stuff. A Bosch battery from Halfords last year for my  Mercedes (original was 12 years old!) was £105, almost the same price as the 'ying yang' or whatever it was from our local independent. You pays your money and make your choice. I know what I would rather have.

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The decent batteries from Halfords are  produced  for them by Yuassa. and have a 5 year no quibble replacement guarantee. That's better than most. But  the halfords computer could not identify the battery required. In the end I just checked the measurements and used common sense. What I did not know was that a special clip on packing strip was needed to adapt  batteries to accept the clamp . I have read that one owner tried 3 Halfords who could not even figure how to get the battery out. (you need to move the computer!!)  AGM batteries also need a heat shield in this car ,I will have to modify the existing one. I will also be buying a new charger that has a specific programme for AGM . And I would still like to know what the car was designed to use! And why an AGM marked battery is full of acid?..So still winging it. Suspicious that my battery was switched at the last service!!. Its a clever trick that earns £130 for 15mins work. (I have worked next to 5 workshops ,seen it all!) The Kia dealers say should not be an AGM and they have never fitted the make of battery that my car came with (from New!).  Buyer beware maybe even new is a bit secondhand!.

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If Kia says you shouldn't use an AGM battery it implies (at least) that the charging rate is set for a lead-acid battery, which can overcook an AGM.  A 12V AGM should be charged at around 13.5 - 13.8 Volts.  Lead-acid charging is usually set for over 14V (typically 14.4V).  What made you go for an AGM?

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Because the battery the car came with (new car) 2 years ago had an AGM sticker on it, although once removed from the car it clearly is a flooded cell and not a Kia battery. Some dodgy goings on at the Importers or during the Kia services. , It never occurred to me I  needed to have an independent engineer check over a new car to make sure it was actually new!.Some things you take on trust. 

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Perhaps it was someone's initials, or tghey had just come back from an Annual General Meeting!  LOL!

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All sorted, The Kia dealer accepted that the mix up was Kia's somehow, supplied a new acid battery, advised that the charge system was not compatible with AGM (an would invalidate warranty) , I returned the AGM battery to suppliers and got a credit ,spent on a Karcher!. All now happy  everyones a winner , Kia gained some credibility back.

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hello  Well I just fitted a new  Lucas battery to my 1988 Nissan bluebird 1.6 Premera  cost 68 pounds from eBay seller  free postage,  it works a treat, 4 years guarantee  as well, you guys will have to do some shopping around for the best deals   yours   anna j

That's a good result Robert.  Notice to everyone - never go for "Rapid Charge" for any batteries.  It shortens their lives no matter what the manufacturer says!  Woe betide us when we're forced to use polluting electric vehicles!

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I don't know what all the fuss is about, my 1957 Dominator still has it's original Exide battery. true it doesn't hold it's charge as well as it did but with magneto ignition there are no problems.

Dick

 


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