Alessandro Volta’s original lead-acid battery comprised discs of alternating metal, kept apart by an absorbent material like cardboard. He saturated this material in an electrolyte, and his gadget worked until this liquid dried out. However, gravity also caused his electrolyte to leak and make a mess. Several iterations later, AGM absorbent glass mat batteries are the perfect solution to this problem.
Very Brief History of Lead-Acid Batteries
Volta’s first battery stacked his metal discs vertically, which hardly helped the leaky problem. William Cruickshank nailed this issue to an extent, when he placed the pile on its side in a trough full of electrolyte. However, this device had to remain level to prevent the liquid slopping out.
Finally, after many efforts by others, Camille Faure put a lid on the container. The makings of the modern lead-acid battery had finally seen the light of day! However, life was not perfect for battery owners yet. This was because the electrolyte was still liquid. And if the battery was not level, the tops of some of the lead plates were not covered completely.
This was a great concern to those who needed the last ‘ounce’ of their battery power. You see, the ions could only travel between the electrodes through the electrolyte. And this meant the upper parts of those plates were dormant.
Drum Roll for the AGM Absorbent Glass Mat Solution
AGM absorbent glass mat batteries resolve this issue by placing a mat of fine glass-fiber between the electrode plates, and soaking this with electrolyte. This system performs well in spiral-wound, or flat plate lead batteries, even when the battery is not level.
The design has several more advantages too. The internal resistance is significantly lower, and the battery is lighter, more maintenance free and more reliable. We only make AGM absorbent glass mat batteries, because we want our customers to have the very best lead acid batteries in the world!
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Two Types of Lead Acid Batteries for You
