2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Will storing a battery on cement cause it to die?

[BC]

OK, weird question: Yesterday my neighbor told me not to let a battery I was charging stay on the cement floor in the shop. He said if I left the battery on the cement floor the battery would loose it's charge.



I've never heard this before. Is he right or wrong?



Thanks,



Bill Cook

 

[McDowra]

He is right

 

[Shovelhead]

The answer is YES AND NO.



Battery storage myths

 

[Dennis Garrett]

I guess it's like "Will sitting on cold steel cause Hemerroids?" Maybe, maybe not

 

[rono]

A friend that works for Interstate Battery said that it was true of older batteries but the material that newer batteries is made of will not allow that to happen now.

Ron

 

[Mundgyver]

What your looking at when you ask the question about a battery setting on cement and dying is not the cement. It is something called Case Leakage. Case Leakage is the discharge of the battery power via the outside surface of the case. The way this occurs is that most people don't bother with keeping the battery clean. Dirt/dust and moisture build up on the outside of the case between the terminals. This dirt/dust and moisture create an electrical pathway for the battery to do a slow discharge of it's stored power over the surface of the case. The best method to prevent this phenomena, is to clean the top of the battery with soap and water followed by a rinse of fresh water and dry it off with air. With the connectors cleaned up you can then use a can of clear plastic spray paint to seal the terminals. The plastic spray paint acts as an insulator for electrical discharge and keeps the moisture out. If you need to hook up something, just use a little steel wool to clean off the plastic paint from the terminal. If the battery is in the vehicle, clean it up and seal the cable connection with plastic spray paint. You should never see any white crust build up on a battery if you follow the above plan. Longest I have had a battery last was 8 years using the above method

 

[Deezal Man]

OK,



While we're on the subject... . Last October I purchased 2 Excide Gel Cell batteries from our local distribution center. Mostly because they were closing and I was able to purchase them for $50.



Considering my truck is a 98 and the little green "indicator" on the batteries has been gone for quite some time... I figured I'd be needing new batteries soon. As luck would have it, the factory batteries as still ticking just as strong as they did when new.

And of course, if I hadn't bought em, the factory units would have died long ago.



Anyway, I've kept the batteries on one of those "Maintainer" things in order to keep their charge...



The question is... . What else should I be doing or not doing to keep then as fresh as possible??

 

[Mundgyver]

As far as keeping on "fresh as long as possible" the best thing is to buy them dry. This meaning that there is no electrolite in the battery. Years ago, batteries were shipped dry and then serviced up just before install. Now days everything is ready to go in a "wet" state. Some individuals will do a drain and flush on a battery to help restore it's power. This drain and flush method will usually get rid of some of the build up in the bottom of the battery that occures over time as the plates errode away (which is normal wear). The theory is that by flushing the battery plates, you will keep the sediment in the bottom from building up to the point where it shorts the plates together. I'm not sure what the manufactures recommend for shelf life. A trickle charger or maintainer in general applies a constant minute charge to the battery. This is ok for awhile, but over extended time you will wind up killing the battery. Trickle charger or maintainers were developed to keep a battery from being depleated when they are in a system that constantly uses them as a source of electricity with no charging system in operation. A good example would be a car or truck that is in (Storage) for an extended period (6 months) of time and will not be touched during that time. If you can get a new clean dry battery and the electrolite in a seperate container this is the best method. Then when you need a new battery, you just pour in the electrolite to the proper level and allow it to charge on low for about an hour and your good to go.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Straight from Interstate batteries web site (GREAT Batteries - I used to sell them and still use them)

http://www.ibsa.com/www_2001/content/faqs/tech_talk/maintenance/faq_tech_maint.htm



Will storing my battery on concrete drain the charge? No. Regarding today's batteries,

this is a myth. A battery placed on concrete will not discharge any faster, but a battery will discharge

over a period of time wherever it is placed. If the battery has a surface layer of acid or grime which

is conductive, the battery will self-discharge more rapidly than if it were clean and dry.



This myth does have some historical basis. Many years ago, wooden battery cases encased a glass

jar with the battery in it. Any moisture on the floor could cause the wood to swell and possibly

fracture the glass, causing it to leak. Later came the introduction of the "hard rubber" cases, which

were somewhat porous. A current could be conducted through this container, which had a high

carbon content, if the moist concrete floor permitted the current to find an electrical ground. The

wise advise of the old days to "not store batteries on concrete" has apparently been passed down to

us today, but it no longer applies.

 

[illflem]

A stored battery's charge should be kept up if it's exposed to freezing, a low battery will freeze and crack the case. Never try to jump or charge a frozen battery unless you need some excitement.