Does an AGM need a battery tender?
• If you buy an AGM type seriously consider investing in a good temperature sensing, automatic, AGM compatible charger to maintain it. I read a good article in the Dec. issue of Ocean Navigator about maintaining AGM batteries. They will probably have the article on their web site in a couple of months. The gist is that AGM batteries commonly fail before they should because they are not properly charged. UNDERCHARGING and overcharging are equally bad. What is not clear is whether our GS charging systems are getting the AGM batteries to a full charge. The article implies that many automotive (engine driven) charging systems do not charge batteries much beyond 80-90%. The AGM supposedly needs the full 100% charge to keep it healthy. This is true for a conventional flooded cell battery but they tolerate undercharging longer before failing. AGM batteries are capable of being charged more quickly then flooded cell types which is more of a benefit to boaters than motorcyclists. Too fast of a
