[AT] Having battery problems--so how to fix?

[DAVIESW739 at aol.com]

I got this from a website sounds like good  advise to me.
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What is the  proper way to store my battery? Before storing your battery, you 
 should:


Clean the battery case and terminals with baking soda and  water. 


Check the water level and add water if needed.  


Test your battery with a hydrometer and/or a voltmeter to ensure the  battery 
is fully charged. 


If needed, charge your battery. Batteries  stored in a discharged state are 
susceptible to freezing, sulfation and an  increased rate of discharge. A fully 
charged battery will not freeze unless the  temperature reaches approximately 
80°F below zero. But if discharged, it can  freeze at 32°F. 
Store your battery in a dry, cool, well-ventilated area—the  cooler the 
better without going below 32°F—and out of the reach of children and  pets. Check 
the water level and state of charge every 45-60 days. If needed, add  distilled 
water and charge. 

How do I maintain an automotive battery that  will be unused for months? 
Follow the steps above for properly storing a  battery. Note: Simply starting your 
car and letting it idle does NOT  sufficiently charge the battery. To fully 
recharge a battery with your  alternator, the vehicle must be driven. Highway 
driving provides the best  charge. However, we recommend that you use a battery 
charger, instead of relying  on your car's alternator, to fully charge a 
discharged battery.

How long  can I let my battery sit unused? Lack of use is one of the greatest 
enemies of a  battery, especially an automotive battery which is designed to 
be charged  regularly by an alternator. Any unused battery, regardless of its 
chemistry,  will self-discharge over time and, if allowed to remain 
discharged, will undergo  severe positive grid corrosion and premature battery failure. 
The rate of  discharge depends on the type of battery and the storage 
temperature.  

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. 


Walt Davies
Cooper Hollow  Farm
Monmouth, OR 97361
503 623-0460