Replacing Lead acid with AGM batteries

[Geobolduc]

My lead acid batteries (interstate Deep Cycle) died and I’d like to upgrade to AGM. Is this an easy swap or are there other components that need to be compatible with AGM? Also, do the AGM batteries have similar footprints and terminals connections?

[BikeCamper]

Yes, it’s an easy swap. If you get the same size AGM batteries (eg Group 24, 31, etc) as the Interstate lead acid batteries they are replacing, they will have identical dimensions (but will be heavier.) No change to the charging system is necessary.

[field & stream]

Easy swap, no new stuff needed. But, be sure that the dimensions, terminal types, and locations are the same or you may need to modify your cables. If you don’t already have one, it might be a convenient time to also install a true battery disconnect switch.

[waninae39]

imho, go lion.
over a 10 year period, the lion are far cheaper to buy and operate than any lead acid
plus the lion have many advantages over the lead acid

[Daquenzer]

I swapped my Interstate wet cell with Interstate AGM. It’s not quite as simple. I had to bore out a few connectors because they weren’t big enough to fit over the AGM posts. Kind of a hassle, but other than that it went fine.

Would I do it again? That is swap. NOPE. AGMs are nice in that they don’t have to be maintained by adding water. BUT they are far more expensive. I paid $800 for two AGM batteries, and they really don’t last any longer than well maintained wet cell. I would stick with wet cell or go to Lithium had I to do all over again. Probably stick with wet cell, since the real benefit of Lithium is if you boondock a lot.

[Bill M.]

Both AGM and flooded cell batteries are "lead-acid". The AGM's maybe a bit tougher and haver a longer life. I made the switch because the flooded cell batteries I was buying at Walmart are only about 70 amp hour and I had room in the battery box for 100 amp hour AGM's. But..I think I should have just gone on to lithium. I have now downsized my TV and am worried about tongue weight. I think the AGM's I put in are about 70 lbs each. One lithium would have about the same amount of usable power as the 2 AGM's. Gonna revisit that situation as soon as I can get some weights at the CAT scale.

[richard5933]

Check the AGM's capacity before making the switch. Before getting the lithium batteries I considered something similar and found that the AGM had noticeably lower capacity than the traditional lead-acid flooded cell batteries.