From my EXTREMELY LIMITED understanding, sealed lead acid batteries (ie, maintenance free) are simply batteries that are sealed to prevent the normal Joe Schmoe from having to check electrolyte levels. However, they ARE able to lose gases due to venting, such as when recharge state creates too much pressure inside the battery -- again, as I understand it, from charging too rapidly. Venting pressure now and then ends up leaving the battery a bit low on electrolyte.
I've seen videos where people have drilled through the housing, replaced electrolyte, then sealed their holes. Seems I also saw one where a guy was able to pry the top completely off of the battery, then replaced it later. In all instances, those batteries were shown to be bad, so nothing to lose.
There's an interesting article on Wikipedia about batteries:
In a valve regulated leadacid (VRLA) battery, the hydrogen and oxygen produced in the cells largely recombine into water. Leakage is minimal, although some electrolyte still escapes if the recombination cannot keep up with gas evolution. Since VRLA batteries do not require (and make impossible) regular checking of the electrolyte level, they have been called maintenance free batteries. However, this is somewhat of a misnomer. VRLA cells do require maintenance. As electrolyte is lost, VRLA cells "dry-out" and lose capacity. This can be detected by taking regular internal resistance, conductance or impedance measurements. Regular testing reveals whether more involved testing and maintenance is required. Recent maintenance procedures have been developed allowing "rehydration", often restoring significant amounts of lost capacity.
VRLA types became popular on motorcycles around 1983,[27] because the acid electrolyte is absorbed into the separator, so it cannot spill.[28] The separator also helps them better withstand vibration. They are also popular in stationary applications such as telecommunications sites, due to their small footprint and installation flexibility.[29]
Sure would like a little more info on the part in BLUE.
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