What is the difference between a 12 V 12 AH deep-cycle battery and a 12 v 12 ah AGMbattery?

Question

I have a Sonic Scooter by the Scooter store and need batteries

Answer 1

Here's some info about Batteries,,,it's good stuff/valid Info,,,no BS or mis-info,,no sale pitch.

Do realize however,that any recommendations found within are regarding a Particular Application which may be May Not be IDEAL for YOUR application.

http://www.windsun.com/Batteries/Battery_FAQ.htm

AGM's are latest-greatest,,,,and DO offer lots of advantages.

For an Electric Vehicle,,,or ANYTHING which runs on "Total-Loss" system,,,,,
A Deep Cycle Battery is still generally Best overall,,in my opinion.

"Total Loss" means ,,,the Battery gets Drained by the operation without receiving any CHARGING while IN Operation

A Flashlight,,Portable Radio,Boat Trolling Motor,,,Most Electric Vehicles,,,Golf Carts,Scooters,WheelChairs,,,and so on.......
These are examples of "Total Loss".
They RUN straight off Battery without receiving any Charging at same time.

Then the BATTS get ReCharged when Unit is OUT of service and No Load is being drawn from the Battery

...............................
Cars,Motorcycles,,,etc have built-in Generators/Alternators which "Constantly" Charge their Battery while the Vehicle Runs,,,
and the Charging System usually helps Share the Electrical Load with the Battery as the vehicle is in operation.

..................................
Anyway....NORMALLY for things like Scooters,,,
You Go Farther per AH (Amp / Hour) on a Deep Cycle Battery.
And,,,as the Battery begins to drain down and weaken ,,,Deep Cycle Batteries Usually maintain a Higher Level of Strength down to the pint where they're "dead".

So,,you can think of them as running STRONGER LONGER than other Types.

Theoretically,,,a "12AH battery is a 12AH Battery"-----
It'll Provide Current for 12 Hours at a 1 Amp per Hour Drain Rate.

And that's pretty much True.

But the Deep Cycle's remain a bit Stronger as they get down towards the end of their capacity.

Another Primary Benefit,,,mostly from their CONSTRUCTION,,,,, is that Deep Cycles are Made to accept More Recharge Cycles.

They DO Last LONGER in Applications of Constant DIS-charge/Recharge cycles

AGMs,,,CAN get very near the Life of a usual Deep Cycle.
But they "get there" from a different route.
The Effects of their Construction & Function increase their life sorta as an "added bonus".

Compared to DeepCycles which are Deliberately Constructed for purpose of Increased Life.

Hope that helps.

*** Shop around for Batts,,,prices can vary a Bunch.
Japanese/USA/European batteries are considered to be Better/Last Longer than Chinese ones.

Tuff to say which is the better value,,,,I dont have any experience in Real-World Comparrisons of enough examples to say which is better.

But I do know that Many Chinese batteries do not last long at all.
So,,,even at perhaps "Half the Price" they MAY not be a bargain??

Most Probably your Scooter CAME with a Chinese battery,,,so You can reasonably expect that to be Typical of "worst case scenario".

If You Do happen to end up with a Chinese Batt,,,it should be approx the same as what You've experienced with your Original Batt.

I hope I'm not making them sound Terrible,,,just trying to get across that they are Normally on the lower end of Quality/Life Scale because they are ECONOMY models--made to be "cheapies"/Inexpensive.
NOT that they are actually BAD...OK??LOL

Answer 2

A 15 volt transformer will likely over heat, as the peak voltage is about 21 volts, plus the charging current will be excessive for the 3 AH battery. Most any of the older 12 volt dc power cubes will charge these batteries (even both at once) The 12 AH battery will take about 4 times longer to charge, which may be several days, if the power cube is rated less than one amp. Some of the newer power cubes produce almost exactly 12 volts even at very light loads so the batteries won't charge, unless the power cube is 13 volts instead of 12 volts. To build a fast charger, you need a transformer with a 20 volt center taped winding or a bit more than 20 volts. Connect a diode (anode) to each of the outer wires Connect the cathodes together and also to the positive battery terminal. The negative battery terminal connects to the center tap. If the transformer gets too hot, you need to reduce the charging current (likely if this is a 24 volt center taped transformer) A 12 volt bulb rated about 1 amp in series with the primary will reduce the charging current at least some. At full brightness that may be excessive charging current for your 3 AH battery, but it will be ok if you only charge it a few minutes. The diodes should be rated at least ten amps and have a good heat sink, if your transformer weighs more than a kilogram = two pounds. Alternative charger designs are a 10 or 11 volt transformer connected to a full wave bridge rectifier or a 5 or 6 volt transformer connected to a full wave voltage doubler circuit. Neil

Answer 3

The deep cycle battery is used for long term uses, but at only a few amps at a time. Deep cycle batts usually have 20% less cold cranking amps than starting batterys. But you dont need any cold cranking here. They will do the job for your scooter!

Absorbed Glass Mat Batteries (AGM Batteries)
do not leak, freeze and do not require any maintenance.
An AGM Battery can be stored for a long period of time without charging.

So get the AGM. Because regular batts will only last 2 years or so.

Answer 4

Go with the deep cycle. They are made differently to allow repeated deep discharge/recharge cycles. That's where the name came from. AGM = absorbed glass mat. They are different from the old batteries in that the electrolyte is held in place by the mat. They are vibration resistant, and don't leak. But, they are not made for a continual or deep discharge, which is what your scooter will do to it.