General lead-acid battery types:

There are many different batteries currently in production throughout the world. Lead-acid batteries can “generally” be described first by Type or Construction:

• Sealed Valve Regulated or Starved Electrolyte
• Sealed Maintenance-free Flooded
• Accessible Maintenance-free Flooded
• Maintenance required Flooded 2V cells for Industrial Traction (forklift type), Long Life Stationary (Data and Critical System Backup Power), and 6V or 12V Semi-Traction commercial batteries or deep cycle (such as golf cart) batteries or hybrid commercial vehicle batteries.

Sealed valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) or starved electrolyte (DRY CELL) AGM or GEL types use a solution of sulfuric acid and water completely suspended into a GEL-like material using silicate additives or absorbed into a woven glass fibre mat (AGM). There is no excess electrolyte to leak out even if tipped or turned upside down. This Sealed “Non-spillable” characteristic is a product of the construction and chemistry of the battery design.

Sealed Maintenance-free, Flooded and Accessible Maintenance-free Flooded types use a solution of sulfuric acid and water that can spill out of the battery if tipped. Even though the Sealed Maintenance-free Flooded batteries are not accessible, electrolytes will eventually leak out through the central degassing manifold vents if tipped. Some Maintenance free flooded batteries have removable filler caps making the battery accessible.

Maintenance required flooded 2V, 6V or 12V industrial, commercial, general purpose Deep Cycle and hybrid batteries use a solution of sulfuric acid and water that can spill out of the battery if tipped. These batteries generally require high levels of watering and maintenance.