The AGM's like the optima and DEKA are sealed. That's why when AGM's are cooked they swell as there is no where for the gas to escape.
2007 DX CRD Wagon - EFS 2" lift, BOSS Chassis Brace Kit, Steel Bull Bar, Runva 9500-Q winch, FyrLyt's, Rock Sliders, Rear bar with wheel and twin jerry carriers, Drawers, Fridge slide, dual battery, Red Arc BCDC 1220, Red Arc EGT/Boost gauge, Scangauge, Uniden UHF, Prodigy P2 brake controller, CC Intercooler, Pacemaker 3" zhaust, HPD Dawes, ECU Remap.
mudski (18th June 2015)
It's why a lot of AGM's fail under the bonnet. I took a chance with the DEKA Intimidator ($399) as its rated for under hood installation and then I bought a redarc charger ($300) to hopefully charge it without cooking it.
The reality is that I would have been financially better off with another wet cell ($199) battery and changing it over every few years. The AGM is still going strong so it all depends how long it lasts. If it was not under the bonnet you would expect maybe 6-8 years of service life? If I only get 3-4 under the bonnet then the next one will be a calcium deep cycle. I'm crossing fingers it lasts.
2007 DX CRD Wagon - EFS 2" lift, BOSS Chassis Brace Kit, Steel Bull Bar, Runva 9500-Q winch, FyrLyt's, Rock Sliders, Rear bar with wheel and twin jerry carriers, Drawers, Fridge slide, dual battery, Red Arc BCDC 1220, Red Arc EGT/Boost gauge, Scangauge, Uniden UHF, Prodigy P2 brake controller, CC Intercooler, Pacemaker 3" zhaust, HPD Dawes, ECU Remap.