***Disclaimer***
This is the opinion of the writer and should not be considered an endorsement by Kokopelli ATV Club.
We have used Lead Acid (LA) batteries in automobiles for many decades, alkaline batteries in flashlights & smoke detectors, and Nickel-Metal-Hydride or Nickel-Cadmium batteries in power tools and older laptops. Some devices (like watches, calculators, toys, digital thermometer, cameras) use non-rechargeable mercury or zinc batteries, whereas most portable devices (like cell-phones, tablets, newer laptops, & some flashlights) have moved to re-chargeable Lithium.
Off-road vehicles (OHV) primarily use AGM Lead-acid batteries because of the need to be more spill-proof, vibration resistant, temperature resistant, quicker charge recovery, maintenance-free and longer life for many starts. And remember batteries typically only last 3->5 years, just like your automobile, but a good battery charger can extend that.
Types of Batteries (OHV's commonly have AGM type batteries)
Battery chargers are especially important for snow-birds that don't use their OHV for up to a year. If you leave your OHV sit for extended periods, buy a good battery charger for $50 to $250.
(Optima, Shumacher, Noco, etc) Better chargers are more expensive, however some just deliver more current which is not always needed. It's very important to choose a charger designed for your type of battery. The wrong charger can destroy the battery or even cause a fire. Also look for the following capabilities:
Note: For saltwater applications never use an unsealed lead-acid battery, due to the chlorine gas created when electrolyte mixes with saltwater.
Reference Material for the curious:
VRLA battery - Wikipedia
Battery Types Explained - BatteryStuff.com
Lead Acid Systems - BatteryUniversity.com
Lead Acid Battery - ScienceDirect.com
Lead Acid - ElectronicsNotes.com
Best Battery - OffRoadersWorld.com
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