LiFePO4, AGM, lithium ion?

My 3rd gen 2022 has years of battery life left I'm guessing. What's the opinion on replacing the OEM when it's due? LiFePO4, AGM, lithium ion? Is there anything out there that you'd use other than a flooded battery that might last longer and be more reliable? I'm not looking to swap, just thinking about when I eventually need to replace the original battery.

 

Interstate brand

 

Yea but aren't those just regular flooded batteries?

 

Flooded interstate, keep it simple.

AGM is great for offroading and accessories but you'll read that they need a little more voltage and need some more attention to make work 100%

Lots of reading on here for batteries brands and types.

 

Just get your favorite flavor of conventional battery. I used to sell batteries, and I can attest that all the brands are very similar, and all last about 4 years average regardless of brand.

 

My understanding of LiFePo4 is that they like steady low current drain for optimum life, not high current drain of a Starter - so that is out for me. I do have LiFePo4 on my solar system. The AGM is basically what I use, but as has already been mentioned they are for aux loads mostly.
No idea about the lithium ion or its charge characteristics.
Personally, I run three Optima Yellow tops in anticipation of winching and currently refrigeration needs.

 

I've read this, but I've never actually read about someone having a problem with an AGM battery due to a stock charging system.

 

It's less than ideal, and its true. The AGM Toyotas charge at 14.2v even. Lead acid charge at 13.4 warm.

It charges better and is happier with higher volts.

Pretty much all Toyotas are going to have AGM soon to go with the start stop, it sucks because of how crazy expensive they are.

 

My AGM battery was like $200 with tax, so certainly not "crazy" expensive. More than a standard battery, but compared to how much money people spend on these vehicles on cosmetic and useless modifications, really not a lot of money.

So, you say it's true. Can you tell me about how you come or somebody you know had a problem with an AGM battery failing due to their stock charging system?

 

I'm not arguing with you guys. Relax.

I'm saying they are designed for higher voltage. This is truth.

Toyota AGM's are CRAZY expensive. I was referring to OEM.

A 2016 highlander battery is 200$ a 2021 is around 400 or more.

All the start stop's use AGM now. So the 2024 Tacoma will be soon the same. Somehow the Tacoma never switched over.

 

I haven't done much research on the LiFePO4 batteries but I know they have 10 or 15 years of expected recharging. Have one in a power supply

 

I just always hear about how it's going to be a problem, but never read about an actual problem.

I also read conflicting information about why it's a problem (voltage too low VS overcharging).

I'd agree that it doesn't seem like the stock charging system is ideal for AGM. I just haven't seen it actually be a problem in actual use.

 

Gees, why not wait a few years until gets closer to replacement time to see what's available as opposed to worrying about it now.

 

The issue is that they will have more sulfation on the plates. This will not result in a catastrophic failure, but rather will result in the battery output slowly degrading sooner than it should. This is why you have never heard of anyone with this problem. It's pretty subtle and if you aren't actively comparing against a properly charged one you may not notice that the battery is not putting out the power it should.

 

It is just that you won't get the full benefit out of an AGM charged at a voltage lower than it needs for a full charge. Only a very astute person would see the difference.

Trail Limo beat me to it by a minute.

 

I think short drives would hurt an AGM more, and I'm talking shortened life, not premature failure.

Battery health is an odd duck and I fret about these things as its part of my job.

I actually charge customers vehicles in the shop if I find them below 12.3v, but we're finding AGM's at around 12.0V or less during this last cold snap.

I'll likely be going AGM next but I have an older truck so no voltage hack. I also have fairly decent drives.

People truly benefit from trickle charges, lead acid or otherwise.

 

So, you've observed this? I keep reading about it, but I've never actually seen a thread where an AGM battery failed prematurely due to undercharging.

How soon does this degradation occur VS the lifespan of a lead acid battery?

 

I used to sell these and I was factory trained by the people that make them.

The degradation isn't something that happens suddenly it happens over the life of the battery. A properly maintained lead acid battery would have no sulfation, but the reality is they all slowly sulfate which is a part of why batteries age. The more they sulfate the less power they can output and the less charge they will take.

Again you haven't seen a battery suddenly fail because that's not what happens. They slowly get worse and worse until they need to be replaced. A properly charged AGM will last longer than one that is charged with a flooded battery charging voltage.

 

What exactly would an "astute" person notice that us normal folks wouldn't?

I'm still waiting to hear how people have had actual problems due to an AGM battery on a stock charging system.

Maybe I'll put a volt meter on mine tomorrow morning just out of curiosity. I tend to do a lot of highway driving, so maybe that helps.

 

For myself I always just try to buy the southern version of a battery. I believe S is the designation. I lose cold cranking amps, but the warm climate batteries last me forever. My understanding is fewer plates but sulfation is not much of a problem.

It's getting hard to find them.