Hydrometer testing

[QuickMick]

Ive got both of these... is there any reason to keep that old hydrometer around? I supposed if the meter ran out of juice i might have occasion to use it--but it seems like a longshot, unless the electrolyte reading offers some advantage?

[remetau]

I think that the hydrometer gives you a more accurate reading as to the state of the battery.

[Vasco]

The multimeter can only give you the voltage at the terminals. It cannot read the specific gravity of the cells.

[oceanscapt]

In reality, if the battery indicates it's bad, then knowing which cell(s) are weakest may not be helpful. However, if you can find battery acid you may be able to partially restore the weak cells, and for that you'd need the hydrometer unless you wanted to refresh all the cells.