Going to revive this thread instead of starting another. Need a batter for my summer Jeep. Is AGM worth the price?
Read the article cited in Post #6. It outlines the types of AGM batteries.
There are several tiers -
Pure lead AGM like Northstar and Odyssey - top of the line with top of the line pricing
"Calcium" AGM like the offerings from NAPA, O'Reillys, Duracell, etc., - good batteries at a more reasonable price point and suitable for most jeepers looking to upgrade from a flooded lead acid battery who either can't afford the price point of a Northstar or don't need the features of a pure lead AGM battery. I will probably buy one of these as my next battery
Optima - Nothing starts a flame war on this forum faster than saying anything positive about an Optima battery. Whether or not I have anything positive to say will never be known because I stay out of discussions regarding Optima as much as possible.
As far as charging profiles are concerned, you are correct that some vehicles cannot fully charge some AGM batteries. For example, there are internet forum discussions that the old Sears Diehard AGM (no longer available) was impossible to fully charge with a vehicle alternator, but further reading reveals that it was only the Group 31's with that problem, not other sizes, and that it was Toyotas with that issue more often than other makes. The issue was resolved by many simply by purchasing a bench or trickle charger with the proper charging profile for the battery and topping off the charge periodically. However, I don't think you will have that issue with a TJ charging system and one of the calcium based AGM batteries.
Happy shopping.