Car batteries used to be encased in hard rubber, a substance that was porous enough that battery acid could seep through it and create a conductive path through the damp concrete, draining the battery. The cases of today’s batteries, however, are made of sturdier stuff that far better contains their contents than those of yesteryear. As well, time has brought technological improvements to the seals around the posts and the vent systems.

These days, the problem of car battery electrolyte seepage and migration has been all but eliminated. Says battery manufacturer Yuasa, "Nowadays, containers are made from a solid plastic that does not allow any current to flow through it, so the batteries do not discharge, even if they sit in a few inches of water."

Interestingly, some experts (including Car Talk's Click and Clack) believe that storing car batteries on concrete floors might actually be a better idea than keeping them on shelves or other surfaces because the cold of the floor works to slow the self-discharge (leakage) rate.

Barbara "cold comfort" Mikkelson


Read more at http://www.snopes.com/autos/techno/battery.asp#jDjskJj8xtytCTsR.99

Quote:

Dave:

I will have to give that test a try today or over this weekend, just to be sure, Step 1, disconnect ground wire, Step 2, connect meter to ground wire and positive terminal?  

If there is no current what would this indicate? Just that the battery is bad? or would I be able to pick up more info from this test?

Also, I ordered my earthx battery and hope to have it in and riding for good by this weekend.