Posted by Gordon Maney on Tuesday, February 13, 2007 at 19:15:53 :
In Reply to: Re: Truth or old wives tale? posted by Gordon Maney on Tuesday, February 13, 2007 at 13:44:13 :
The only science based explanation I can offer for the origin of this myth involves these facts: the first batteries had rubber cases with tarred tops. The cell connecting straps were exposed to the world. A virtue of that kind of construction was revealed by the existence of cell voltage measuring devices that used sharp probes that penetrated the tar to take individual cell voltages.
It is suggested that under certain circumstances it may have been possible for some discharge to occur through moisture on top of the battery, providing a conductive path between terminals and/or cell connecting straps. That perhaps as a result of a drop in temperature from sitting on a cold, concrete floor. That, and a buildup of conductive debris on the surface of this tarry assembly
When I was a vocational automotive instructor I would be occasionally asked that question by someone whose father told them this myth. To disprove the myth, I have always kept my stored or unused batteries sitting directly on concrete. At the age of 56, over a period of over 40 years, I have never seen any indication that such a practice had any negative effect on a battery's state of charge.
The real question is this..... Will the presence of a slice of raw potato behind your knee prevent arthritis? I urge you all to try it as a long term experiment. Report your findings at the 20th Iowa Rally in Fairfield, in June.
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