[Edgar_in_Indy]

My wife's 2017 Limited w/ESS wouldn't start the other day and showed the symptoms of a low battery...electronics acted funny when trying to start, clicking, power doors would not operate, etc. I looked at the battery and saw it was a Chrysler battery and had "2015" on one of the labels, so I figured it was the original battery. Since the van was originally from Georgia, where it can be pretty hot, I figured the battery was fortunate to have lasted this long, and was due for replacement.

First I went to Autozone, but when the guy looked my battery up, he said they didn't have it, which seemed to surprise him. Then I went to Advance Auto, and he looked my battery up and sold me an "H7" size AutoCraft Gold 94RH7 Lead-Acid battery. When I got home and took the battery out, I saw that the new battery was about an inch wider. Due to the auxiliary ESS battery taking up space in the tray, the new battery was physically too big. I tried to look up the battery type in the owner manual, but it did not have it. While I had the battery out, though, I saw that "H6" was molded into the battery tray.

Advance Auto had already closed at this point, so I went to Walmart and looked up my vehicle using the self-service computer at the battery rack. It also specified and H7 battery. Knowing that a lot of 2017's didn't have ESS, I looked up a 2018, and saw that it called for an H6 battery.

The only H6 batteries Walmart had were standard Lead-Acid, and I had never even heard of AGM batteries, so I didn't think anything of it. I got the battery home and it installed fine and my wife has been driving her van trouble free for the last couple days. But today I got on here and started reading about batteries, and figured out that it was supposed to have an AGM battery. And sure enough, when I went and looked at my old battery (which is still in the garage) it says AGM on it.

So my question is, am I okay keeping the Lead-Acid battery, or do I need to put an AGM battery in?

BTW, when I took the H7 battery back to Advance Auto the next day, they could not find anything in their system calling for a H6 battery for a 2017 Pacifica, even when they entered my van's VIN.

 

[Bond007]

What is AGM battery?

 

[Edgar_in_Indy]

AGM stands for Absorbent Glass Mat.

 

[DoninDel]

I believe you are fine with what you now have.
The AGM has some advantages, but is not significantly different than a conventional battery

Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) Battery Information - Battery University

Learn what differentiates Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) batteries from other lead acid battery types

batteryuniversity.com

 

[cbrenthus]

It should work fine, but might not last as long as an AGM, especially if you are using your ESS.

 

[The Guy with the Dogs]

AGM, or "Absorbent Glass Mat" just means the thing is filled with fiberglass mat wrapped around the (plates? electrodes?) inside the battery, which soak up all the acid electrolyte. I don't know the details, but for some reason this apparently makes the battery longer-lived. I think perhaps they're more resistant to vibration.
It still takes/makes the same voltage as the old lead-acid batteries, so you should be fine.

 

[Tratpop]

I do think you are ok with the battery you have. But for the sake of anyone reading this in the future or for another vehicle, I believe you are ok in switching to a lead acid because the Pacifica battery is outside the cabin, in the engine compartment. I think the AGM batteries are also sealed, and do not "vent." So if a vehicle has a battery that is in the trunk or in the passenger cabin(like the grand cherokees) you need to be a little more particular about what your replacement battery is.

-trat

 

[CG 2017]

I purchased a used 2017 Touring L Plus (w/o ESS) w/64 k on it last spring. It is on its second non AGM battery that is @ 18/20 months old. Over the past few months it quite unexpectedly is dead. A quick jump and drive and all is good ... until he next time. There’s been lots of testing and tweaks but nothing long term. The cause can be anything from a call over Uconnect while parked, or 4 days of non use or just having the sliding doors and back lid open for half an hour. I have followed all previous advice from various forum posts as well as with tech support from the dealership where I purchased it used.

Happily I purchased a Lith Ion battery charger that has saved me multiple times over the past many months - ok, I’m an inventor problem solver at heart so an immediate trade out just wasn’t in the books.

I went back to Auto Zone where the battery was purchased for a replacement under warranty and since I don’t have the receipt or phone number of the previous owner for them to verify, I’m SOL..

Any wisdom on a good replacement battery up for the challenge of the TL + or AGM would be much appreciated as it seems the better option to support all the bells and whistles on this beauty..

 

[CG 2017]

I purchased a used 2017 Touring L Plus (w/o ESS) w/64 k on it last spring. It is on its second non AGM battery that is @ 18/20 months old. Over the past few months it quite unexpectedly is dead. A quick jump and drive and all is good ... until he next time. There’s been lots of testing and tweaks but nothing long term. The cause can be anything from a call over Uconnect while parked, or 4 days of non use or just having the sliding doors and back lid open for half an hour. I have followed all previous advice from various forum posts as well as with tech support from the dealership where I purchased it used.

Happily I purchased a Lith Ion battery charger that has saved me multiple times over the past many months - ok, I’m an inventor problem solver at heart so an immediate trade out just wasn’t in the books.

I went back to Auto Zone where the battery was purchased for a replacement under warranty and since I don’t have the receipt or phone number of the previous owner for them to verify, I’m SOL..

Any wisdom on a good replacement battery up for the challenge of the TL + or AGM would be much appreciated as it seems the better option to support all the bells and whistles on this beauty..

Happily, Auto Zone gave me credit and I did pay extra for an AGM H7. Fingers crossed that this is the end of this saga.