The labels on them say that they are maintenance free.
Are they really maintenance free?

Thanks

If it is a lead acid battery. It isn't mantainence free. Period. All batteries need to have water checked after charging. Just pry the square caps off and add distilled water to top it off. Again...after charging.

Steez is right.

The labels go a bit far in the claims made in my opinion. What those batteries have is a moisture entrapment cap. The cap is made so that it attempts to condense "boil-off" moisture and drip it back into the battery. This helps reduce the loss of water, but it does not stop it. This is why the battery doesn't need distilled water replenishment every time it is charged - but it will eventually need it. This is why informed lead-acid battery owners check their battery level.

Make sure you understand what "top off" means for a battery as some people have thought it is meant literally, so they grossly overfilled a battery. There are some pricey systems that will fill each cell correctly from a common water supply tube. I have one to try, but haven't installed it yet. For my 3 TM batteries, it cost about $100, but should ease and improve maintenance.

If you want some insight into battery condition, get a good battery hydrometer and use it when you have those caps off to check the electrolyte level.

AGMs are one type of lead acid battery and being sealed, needs no water maintenance.

Traditional Flooded lead acid batteries can require water maintenance or can be possibly maintenance free..... depending on their construction and usage.

The flooded lead acids typically sold as 'maintenance free' yes, will likely never need water to be added if used in a light duty application such as an automobile spending much of their time being kept charged on the alternator. They are constructed having a generous supply of electrolyte above top of the plates and will typically will reach an end of life before losing enough water to affect performance.

However their use should probably be avoided in deep cycle applications or extended periods in warmer climates. A boat making infrequent runs and with large electronic loads is not a good fit for them.

Those batteries are just flat JUNK

The one thing I like about Wal Mart Batteries is that there is a Wal Mart just about everywhere we fish and replacing a battery is not a big issue with the warranties that are the same as all other brands.

I have a buddy who has replaced 4 of these over 2 years. I have an optima blue top cranking battery and 3 of the Sears die hard platinum batteries. Platniums are probably 6-7 years old and optima is 5 years old no issues never killed any of the batteries fished multiple days many times without charging. I have a 4 bank charger and keep them at full charge or near it most of the time.

There are no warranties honored at the boat ramp. Buy a good battery.

Spend the extra money and get a good battery

and the question actually was?

I should have known to specify "flooded cell" lead acid.....or you would come by, LOL. He was only talking wally world so I didn't think he'd get into AGM.....