Fighter Jet Batteries Move to Cars

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Fighter jet batteries make move to cars

From: AAP
January 04, 2013 7:53AM



MODERN Absorption Glass Mat (AGM) car batteries are worth the extra purchase cost and generally last longer than their traditional lead-acid equivalents, say experts from Germany's GTUE technical inspection agency.

Originally developed for fighter jets and other military applications, AGMs are found in many modern cars. The batteries are made up of mats in which thin glass fibres are woven to increase the surface area.

The design allows the AGM battery to work like a flooded lead acid battery, except that the electrolyte in the AGM battery does not freely flood the plates but rather is held in the glass mats.

Heavily discharged AGM batteries are also easier to recharge than lead-acid versions, said GTUE spokesman Hans-Juergen Goetz.

AGMs can withstand very low temperatures without cracking and do not require topping up with water. The sandwich construction makes them resistant to vibration.



AGM batteries have been available in Europe for about three years but are not in stock for all car models. A GTUE test showed that mid-priced AGM batteries were often just as good as more expensive brands.
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