Inside XS Power’s Lineup Of High Performance Batteries Part 3

Over the last couple of issues (Part 1 and Part 2), we’ve taken a look at picking batteries (and looking at XS Power AGM batteries in particular), determing how much battery you really need for a given application and more. But one big question comes up with AGM batteries: How do you charge them? Right from the beginning, a conventional 12 volt alternator will work with an AGM battery. And here are alternators out there engineered to work with 14 or 16-volt batteries. But if you need to charge the battery between rounds, what do you do? Furthermore, some battery chargers (but certainly not all) will not properly charge an AGM battery. What follows is information provided by XS Power Batteries specifically for their 12 Volt AGM batteries:

“Charge voltage is not to exceed 14.4V total for extended periods of time (5 minutes max).

“The charger used must have an automatic shut-off. Some AGM chargers may climb to a maximum voltage of 15.5VDC for a short period of time (usually less than 5minutes) but will resume charging at or near 14.4VDC ± .3VDC for the duration of the charge cycle. If you are unsure of your chargers capabilities, contact the manufacturer of the charger

“Exceeding 14.4VDC ± .3VDC will cause the battery to “gas” and once the oxygen is released from the battery there is no way to restore it. The results will be reduced capacity and battery life and those results are permanent. This type of damage will cause the battery to show a proper open circuit voltage yet will not accept a charge and will become excessively hot during charging. Damage of this nature will void the warranty. Therefore ensure that your battery charger will not exceed 14.4VDC ± .3VDC at any time during the charging cycle. For ease of use, we recommend recharging the battery with an XS Power Intellicharger p/n 1005, as it is a totally automatic 3-stage microprocessor controlled battery charger with float charging capability. This battery charger prevents overcharging, maintains proper performance and can be left on the battery indefinitely during non-use periods.

“It is very important to never use a charger designed for flooded 12V batteries, not even once with a XS Power 12V AGM battery. Furthermore, we recommend that the battery be disconnected from the rest of the vehicle’s electrical system during charging.

“All lead-acid batteries, both flooded and AGM designs are subject to self-discharging and this self-discharge rate is very much affected by ambient temperature in which the batteries are stored. Higher ambient temperatures will discharge the battery faster. Cool storage for batteries is the best. When voltage is lower than 12.6V or storing time is longer than 6 months, the battery must be recharged”

When it comes to 14V or 16V batteries, XS Power tells us the charge voltage must not exceed 2.45 Volts Per Cell ± .05V for extended periods of time (again, 5-minutes maximum). Some AGM chargers may climb to a maximum voltage of 21 volts for a short period of time, and then they will drop down to the 2.45 Volts Per Cell figure. The balance of the above instructions for a 12-volt battery apply (but of course, taking into consideration the extra number of cells in a 14 or 16 volt battery).

In a past issue (actually two of them) we examined Moroso’s Power Charger. It’s definitely capable of charging AGM batteries such as those offered by XS power. As pointed out in that short series, the dip switches within the charger can be set to work perfectly for this application.

Point your browser to Moroso's Street Strip Battery Charger is a Life Saver Part 1 for the first article in the series and for part 2, go here: Moroso's Street Strip Battery Charger is a Life Saver Part 2

Further to the above, the folks from XS Power Batteries offer a number of different chargers designed to work specifically with AGM batteries (all with different features and all with different price points).

As you can see, charging isn’t really an issue, provided you have an appropriate battery charger. And yes, there’s a whole bunch more to high performance batteries than you ight first think. And it’s important too. The truth is, battery technology from XS Power has power packed energy storage. More in the accompanying photos.

You cannot use any old-fashioned charger on an AGM style battery. These battery chargers were designed solely for flooded cell batteries, and they will damage an AGM battery.

XS Power recommends the battery charger produce no more than 2.45 Volts per cell.

Moroso’s “smart” battery charger shown here has a voltage limit of 2.42 volts per cell (on the regular setting). If your battery charger does not meet the required maximums (set out in the text), you’ll need to upgrade.

(credit: XS Power Batteries): XS Power also offers a number of different chargers designed to work with their batteries. Check out their website (above) for more info.