The Difference Between Dry and Wet Batteries, Their Advantages and Disadvantages

Motor vehicle users must already know that there are two types of batteries, both on motorbikes and motorbikes, namely dry batteries and wet batteries. Although they have different names, these two objects both use electrode fluid or what is commonly called battery water. Despite having the same name, dry and wet batteries both have their advantages and disadvantages.

Are you looking for information about the difference between dry and wet batteries? What are the advantages and disadvantages?

In this article, we will thoroughly discuss the differences between wet and dry car batteries. Let's see in the following full review.

Difference between Dry and Wet Battery

There are several differences between dry and wet batteries, we can divide them into 4 parts, namely in terms of the liquid filler, the container used, the price of a dry battery and the price of a wet battery, as well as dry and wet battery maintenance.

1. Fill dry and wet battery fluid

Although the name is dry battery, actually the contents in it are still the same liquid, namely the electrode fluid which is called battery water. But in dry batteries this liquid is in the form of a gel. This gel form makes the battery water will not spill even if it is shaken or upside down.

In addition to making the battery resistant to shocks, this gel form also keeps dry battery fluid from evaporating. Therefore, dry batteries are also called MF (maintenance free) batteries because they have minimal maintenance.

Meanwhile, wet batteries use a thinner liquid with sulfuric acid and demineralized water in it. This pure water evaporates easily so you need to increase the volume of battery water when there is a reduction. You can check it once a month.

2. The battery container used

The second difference between dry and wet car batteries that can be seen with the naked eye is the container used.

Dry batteries use a solid or dark colored container so that we cannot see the contents inside. In addition, there are no holes to fill the battery water. Dry batteries are not designed to be refilled using battery fluid, therefore there is no charging hole. The gel contained in dry batteries has a very small evaporation rate, because the steam produced is not wasted, the volume is maintained. So you also can't see the remaining gel on the dry battery.

Meanwhile, the wet battery has a semi-transparent container to make it easier for you to see the remaining battery water in the container. There is a line indicating the minimum and maximum volume of battery water (Zuur water) to be filled. Meanwhile, there are also holes for charging the battery to increase the volume of the battery.

3. The price of dry battery and wet battery

And there is also a difference between dry and wet batteries in terms of price. Easy maintenance on dry batteries makes dry batteries relatively more expensive than wet batteries. For the price of a dry battery and the price of a wet battery, there can be a difference of around Rp 200 thousand.

For example, the price of a dry battery is Rp 900 thousand, for the same type of car the price of a wet battery is only about Rp 700 thousand.

4. Dry battery Care and Wet battery

Although maintenance free, aka minimal dry battery maintenance, actually this type of battery still requires maintenance. The gel in dry batteries is little or no evaporation. So there is no need to add the volume of battery water (Zuur) on dry batteries.

How to care for a dry battery is to heat the car regularly even though the car is rarely used. You can take the car around the housing complex to heat the car. Do it at least once a week.

If the dry battery performance feels weak and there is no component damage, you can also charge it occasionally. Every now and then you can also clean the positive (+) and negative (-) poles on the dry battery.

While the maintenance of a wet battery is to check the condition of the battery periodically. If the battery water has decreased, then you can add battery water (Zuur). Do not add zuur water to increase the volume of the battery water. Wet batteries that are diligently cared for can even last longer than dry batteries.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Dry Battery vs Wet Battery

Based on all of the above, if we summarize the differences between dry and wet batteries, the advantages and disadvantages are as follows.

Advantages of Dry battery

• Easy maintenance, no need to frequently check the condition of the battery
• Spill-resistant against shock
• Ready
• Easy to charge

Disadvantages (Weaknesses) of Dry batteries

• Relatively more expensive
• How long does a dry car battery last? The answer is about 1.5-2 years, depending on the use of the car. So if you have entered the age of use, you should replace the dry battery with a new one. 

Advantages of Wet battery

• Can be more durable if diligently cared for
• Easy to refill using battery water
• Relatively cheaper price

Disadvantages (Weakness) of Wet battery

• Prone to spill
• Battery water evaporates quickly, especially in a tropical climate like Indonesia
• Must be diligent in checking the volume of battery fluid, do not let it be less than the minimum limit
• Fill the battery water with a special liquid, don't fill the battery with any liquid.

Well, that's the information review about the difference between a dry battery and a wet battery in a car. You can choose according to your condition as a vehicle user and consider the advantages and disadvantages.

Hopefully it can be useful.