Cdn tire sells the float type hydrometer for about $6; much cheaper than a battery. I like the glass tube type over the ones that look like a plastic antifreeze tester. If you have a bad cell, it will show up with the hydrometer. A difference of 20 points between any cell (with the exception of after you top up the battery with water; you will have to charge the battery for a bit to get it to mix the water and electrolyte) is an indication you neeed a new battery.
Apologies if you knew all this already, but 20+ years as a mechanic in the military, I saw many mechanics who did not know how to use a hydrometer, and would either condemn good batteries, or try and use batteries with bad cell(s).
The weather in Shilo (-35 in the winter) will not allow you to get away with a dead cell.
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