conserving battery power advice please Forums

spindrifter

Explanation:-

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.

Hope this helps

David (Spindrifter)

Boff

Hi,

I still cannot imagine that a battery stored on concrete would discharge faster, even with a "hard rubber" case. If the hard rubber case were conductive enough for a significant discharge, then the currents would flow directly through the case, no matter on what ground the battery stands.

There might however be another reason for not storing lead-acid batteries on concrete, which has nothing to do with battery discharge: If for whatever reason acid leaks out or is spilled onto the concrete floor, then this might cause serious corrosion.

Best Regards,
Gerhard

erneboy

My brother in law ran a battery manufacturing factory for many years, I asked him about batteries on concrete floors because I too had heard the story. He says largely an urban myth, although if the the floor is damp condensation may form on the batteries causing a 'leak' and a slow discharge, Alan.

maddie

Hi, could it be down to the simple fact that cold kills the battery faster than warm ? and concrete is a dam site colder than say wood ? Never realy bothered about it though,if the battery cannot stand the cold it is ready for a replacment Laughing

terry

oldun

Glandwr

With the alternators and charging managing thingys fitted to vans these days, in extremis could you not run your engine on tickover? Be interested to hear the replies of the informed on this subject. Not saying it would be economical but how long would it take to recharge?

Dick

maddie

Hi about 2 to 3 hrs I was informed,still a lot cheaper than buying a genny etc for only the occasonal use Laughing

then again a 4 cyl genny may be a bit of overkill
terry