I used to buy ags and fb batteries in Pakistan and they worked fantastic for years and years. The trick to long life was to “activate” them with highest quality electrolyte which I made myself with 99.9% sulphuric acid and lab grade distilled water mixed to an SG of 1.280 (verified with scales)
Very recently I told a person how to prep a battery correctly (not pw member) in Karachi, Pk, with the same above quality electrolyte.
He reported that the cranking speed and standby power is incredible compared to store bought batteries, His annoyance was genuine and quite high because now even for a basic car battery he had to take matters into his hands to get reliable service.
I also advised him to put a cover around it to protect it from heat.
Btw, buying a non prepped battery is cheaper than a ready one, however the electrolyte will be expensive than normal because you are buying CP product not oleum-vitroil which at max is 66% pure, which is what regular battery shops buy - and for water they use a tap, which result in garbage product. The battery vendors enjoy this as its a constant repeat cycle of business and average customer never complains.
