Battery on cement old wise tale?
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From: Wallingford, CT, USA
Battery on cement old wise tale?
So I go to the garage that's helping me redo my car down the street, my car's on the lift and my batteries on the cement under it. brand new battery. I asked them if that's ok. cause my dad and every old dude that told me about car stuff always said put something under a battery or it'll kill it. I asked the garage and they said that was an old tale...
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From: Wallingford, CT, USA
Re: Battery on cement old wise tale? (93_teg_CT)
This should probably be in the general discussion huh? Sorry. I never post in any other forums since I have an integra.. Move it if it should be there please. Thanks. and sorry. =]
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From: Los Angeles.
Re: Battery on cement old wise tale? (ThunderCat)
Yeah, My dad always said that too. If you leave a battery directly on the floor, it'll drain much faster.
I really dont know if it's true, but if it is I would think it would have something to do with being grounded. If so, it would make sense to put something under the battery, as a sort of insulation and to prevent the battery from grounding out.
I really dont know if it's true, but if it is I would think it would have something to do with being grounded. If so, it would make sense to put something under the battery, as a sort of insulation and to prevent the battery from grounding out.
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From: Biking and Beer, CT
Yes 100% true, not a tale.
Tell that shop that they can take the price of the battery out of the money your paying them. or they can buy you a new one.
Ask a battery rep. They will give you the whole deal
Sean
Tell that shop that they can take the price of the battery out of the money your paying them. or they can buy you a new one.
Ask a battery rep. They will give you the whole deal
Sean
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Re: Battery on cement old wise tale? (carma_626)
Putting the battery on the ground discharges it because of the tempeture change, or something having to do with that, leaving it on the ground for a few minutes won't do much but storing it on the concrete floor will make discharge.
"Temperature stratification within batteries could accelerate the internal "leakage" or self-discharge if the battery is sitting on a cold floor in a warm room or is installed in a submarine. "
--there ya go
Modified by v8killa121 at 3:30 PM 10/6/2005
"Temperature stratification within batteries could accelerate the internal "leakage" or self-discharge if the battery is sitting on a cold floor in a warm room or is installed in a submarine. "
--there ya go
Modified by v8killa121 at 3:30 PM 10/6/2005
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From: WeHo, CA, USA
Re: (DA_Black_Hatch)
yes, the battery on cement thing is an old wives' tale. It's NOT TRUE anymore
Got this from Car Talk:
http://www.cartalk.com/content....html
Ray: You can completely ignore your grandfather's warning these days, Dave. In his day -- even in your father's day -- most battery casings were made of hard rubber. And because of the porosity of that material, battery acid would sometimes seep through the rubber and create a conductive path through the damp concrete, draining the battery.
Tom: But that can't happen today with plastic-cased batteries (which we've been using exclusively since about the time Nixon said, "I am not a crook"). That's because molded polypropylene (a k a plastic), as you probably teach your students, Dave, is not porous at all.
Got this from Car Talk:
http://www.cartalk.com/content....html
Ray: You can completely ignore your grandfather's warning these days, Dave. In his day -- even in your father's day -- most battery casings were made of hard rubber. And because of the porosity of that material, battery acid would sometimes seep through the rubber and create a conductive path through the damp concrete, draining the battery.
Tom: But that can't happen today with plastic-cased batteries (which we've been using exclusively since about the time Nixon said, "I am not a crook"). That's because molded polypropylene (a k a plastic), as you probably teach your students, Dave, is not porous at all.
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From: WeHo, CA, USA
Re: (JETSPD1477)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JETSPD1477 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">gravity is what discharges your battery.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
No it's not, read my post above.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
No it's not, read my post above.
I requested a short story for a title.
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From: hard parked at the sandbar
Re: Battery on cement old wise tale? (93_teg_CT)
yes i am in an electronics class right now. THAT IS 100% TRUE. put like some carpet down then youll be fine
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From: WeHo, CA, USA
Re: Battery on cement old wise tale? (stocker2shocker91)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by stocker2shocker91 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">yes i am in an electronics class right now. THAT IS 100% TRUE. put like some carpet down then youll be fine</TD></TR></TABLE>
THIS IS A MYTH, BATTERIES WILL NOT DISCHARGE DUE TO BEING PLACED DIRECTLY ON CONCRETE.
From Exide's FAQ site (this myth is so freakin popular all the battery makers had to put it into their FAQ pages it seems):
Will placing my battery on concrete drain the charge?
A battery will not lose its state-of-charge strictly from placing it on a concrete surface, but will discharge it over a period of time, due simply to neglect.
Trojan Battery FAQ:
• Storing a battery on concrete will discharge it quicker- Long ago, when battery cases were made out of natural rubber, this was true. Now, however, battery cases are made of polypropylene or other modern materials that allow a battery to be stored anywhere. A battery’s rate of discharge is affected by its construction, its age, and the ambient temperature. The main issue with storing on concrete is that if the battery leaks, the concrete will be damaged.
From Interstate's FAQ:
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.
THIS IS A MYTH, BATTERIES WILL NOT DISCHARGE DUE TO BEING PLACED DIRECTLY ON CONCRETE.
From Exide's FAQ site (this myth is so freakin popular all the battery makers had to put it into their FAQ pages it seems):
Will placing my battery on concrete drain the charge?
A battery will not lose its state-of-charge strictly from placing it on a concrete surface, but will discharge it over a period of time, due simply to neglect.
Trojan Battery FAQ:
• Storing a battery on concrete will discharge it quicker- Long ago, when battery cases were made out of natural rubber, this was true. Now, however, battery cases are made of polypropylene or other modern materials that allow a battery to be stored anywhere. A battery’s rate of discharge is affected by its construction, its age, and the ambient temperature. The main issue with storing on concrete is that if the battery leaks, the concrete will be damaged.
From Interstate's FAQ:
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.
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Re: Battery on cement old wise tale? (purplegsr)
the problem of battery discharge on concrete floors is an issue of temperature gradients. Often, the temperature of the concrete floor is different than the ambient air temperature surrounding the battery. The bottom of the case setting on the floor causes a temperature gradient in the battery electrolyte. This temperture gradient then causes small voltage gradients across the battery plate interfaces and these voltage gradients then cause internal self-discharging of the battery. 
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From: WeHo, CA, USA
Re: Battery on cement old wise tale? (v8killa121)
That wouldn't matter anyway, sitting a battery on a piece of wood, a piece of carpet, or cement would still allow the surface to be a different temperature than the ambient air around it. Batteries discharge naturally due to not being used and neglect, in this case (and with all modern batteries), being stored on cement, or in this case, even touching cement, has nothing to do with damaging the battery or ruining it, as the OP asked.
You should send your theory to the battery companies though, and see if they will include it in their FAQs that I posted.
You should send your theory to the battery companies though, and see if they will include it in their FAQs that I posted.
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From: shawno, wi, usa
Re: (purplegsr)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by purplegsr »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">yes, the battery on cement thing is an old wives' tale. It's NOT TRUE anymore
Got this from Car Talk:
http://www.cartalk.com/content....html
Ray: You can completely ignore your grandfather's warning these days, Dave. In his day -- even in your father's day -- most battery casings were made of hard rubber. And because of the porosity of that material, battery acid would sometimes seep through the rubber and create a conductive path through the damp concrete, draining the battery.
Tom: But that can't happen today with plastic-cased batteries (which we've been using exclusively since about the time Nixon said, "I am not a crook"). That's because molded polypropylene (a k a plastic), as you probably teach your students, Dave, is not porous at all.</TD></TR></TABLE>
DONT listen to these two idiots. In one of their articles they said to actually go what the dealership recommend on the oil change intervals. Like honda says to go 7500 on an oil and filter change, these two morons agree with honda. Any motor that goes 7500 or more on every oil change will not last long at all. Take apart that motor at 75000(If it last that long) and that thing will be coated in sludge if synthetic is not used. After reading the oil change article, i will never read their garbage again.
But with the battery thing, i would always still put the battery on a bench just to be safe.
Got this from Car Talk:
http://www.cartalk.com/content....html
Ray: You can completely ignore your grandfather's warning these days, Dave. In his day -- even in your father's day -- most battery casings were made of hard rubber. And because of the porosity of that material, battery acid would sometimes seep through the rubber and create a conductive path through the damp concrete, draining the battery.
Tom: But that can't happen today with plastic-cased batteries (which we've been using exclusively since about the time Nixon said, "I am not a crook"). That's because molded polypropylene (a k a plastic), as you probably teach your students, Dave, is not porous at all.</TD></TR></TABLE>
DONT listen to these two idiots. In one of their articles they said to actually go what the dealership recommend on the oil change intervals. Like honda says to go 7500 on an oil and filter change, these two morons agree with honda. Any motor that goes 7500 or more on every oil change will not last long at all. Take apart that motor at 75000(If it last that long) and that thing will be coated in sludge if synthetic is not used. After reading the oil change article, i will never read their garbage again.
But with the battery thing, i would always still put the battery on a bench just to be safe.
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From: WeHo, CA, USA
Re: (94DOHCGsr)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 94DOHCGsr »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">DONT listen to these two idiots. In one of their articles they said to actually go what the dealership recommend on the oil change intervals. Like honda says to go 7500 on an oil and filter change, these two morons agree with honda. Any motor that goes 7500 or more on every oil change will not last long at all. Take apart that motor at 75000(If it last that long) and that thing will be coated in sludge if synthetic is not used. After reading the oil change article, i will never read their garbage again.
But with the battery thing, i would always still put the battery on a bench just to be safe. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Maybe you should take a look at Bobistheoilguy.com, they have lots of threads and evidence on why it is fine to go over 3,000 miles per OCI. Although the Car Talk guys don't always get everything right, they are correct on this topic and on the oil change thing. Lots of people, especially under non-severe driving conditions can go 7,500 miles on regular oil, as evidenced by Used Oil Analyses posted on numerous sites. You will also notice that I posted several FAQs from battery companies saying that the 'don't put your battery on cement' is a myth.
But with the battery thing, i would always still put the battery on a bench just to be safe. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Maybe you should take a look at Bobistheoilguy.com, they have lots of threads and evidence on why it is fine to go over 3,000 miles per OCI. Although the Car Talk guys don't always get everything right, they are correct on this topic and on the oil change thing. Lots of people, especially under non-severe driving conditions can go 7,500 miles on regular oil, as evidenced by Used Oil Analyses posted on numerous sites. You will also notice that I posted several FAQs from battery companies saying that the 'don't put your battery on cement' is a myth.
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From: Van Nuys/Northridge,CA
Re: Battery on cement old wise tale? (93_teg_CT)
Its NOT TRUE anymore. batteries are made of different **** these days.
i work ina shop, had a batt sitting on the floor for over a year and it is now in my T-bird and runs/starts it fine.
bty I do have and teg.converted to JDM spec and a 69 mustang not just my f'n bird.
i work ina shop, had a batt sitting on the floor for over a year and it is now in my T-bird and runs/starts it fine.
bty I do have and teg.converted to JDM spec and a 69 mustang not just my f'n bird.
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Re: (94DOHCGsr)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 94DOHCGsr »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">DONT listen to these two idiots. In one of their articles they said to actually go what the dealership recommend on the oil change intervals. Like honda says to go 7500 on an oil and filter change, these two morons agree with honda. Any motor that goes 7500 or more on every oil change will not last long at all. Take apart that motor at 75000(If it last that long) and that thing will be coated in sludge if synthetic is not used. After reading the oil change article, i will never read their garbage again.
But with the battery thing, i would always still put the battery on a bench just to be safe. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Listen noob......Honda also didn't say, redline ur car every chance you get, kick it in vtec every time you change gear to impress girls with ur gay loud exhaust.....How many idiots really listen to the dealership requirement and then there are other people that say "Honda knows what they're talkin about, they tested it before they start selling" So the main thing is, that's just bullshit, and I've driven an Acura for 7500 miles till I changed the oil, no problem w/ the engine, but now since I've changed all the engine internals, I know I'd be safe w/ 3000 miles cause I'll be driving rough.
So before you do your study on this whole issue, don't start BSing about how other people are wrong.
As far as getting back to the topic, yea, I'm gonna keep my battery air-florated or just hang it with a rope....WTF!!! Man, please, I've kept my damn ****** battery on the concrete for months now, and put it back into da car, started like it did before I took the battery out. So ya, that old **** was true back in the days. That's why people make better product to avoid old issues.....So no, if the battery is in a plastic container, you're fine. It's not going to drain after a few days.....
But with the battery thing, i would always still put the battery on a bench just to be safe. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Listen noob......Honda also didn't say, redline ur car every chance you get, kick it in vtec every time you change gear to impress girls with ur gay loud exhaust.....How many idiots really listen to the dealership requirement and then there are other people that say "Honda knows what they're talkin about, they tested it before they start selling" So the main thing is, that's just bullshit, and I've driven an Acura for 7500 miles till I changed the oil, no problem w/ the engine, but now since I've changed all the engine internals, I know I'd be safe w/ 3000 miles cause I'll be driving rough.
So before you do your study on this whole issue, don't start BSing about how other people are wrong.
As far as getting back to the topic, yea, I'm gonna keep my battery air-florated or just hang it with a rope....WTF!!! Man, please, I've kept my damn ****** battery on the concrete for months now, and put it back into da car, started like it did before I took the battery out. So ya, that old **** was true back in the days. That's why people make better product to avoid old issues.....So no, if the battery is in a plastic container, you're fine. It's not going to drain after a few days.....
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From: Fresno
Re: (gsrious)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by gsrious »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i have a battery sitting in my garage's concret floor for a bout a year now. everytime i go to it and use a screw driver to attach the 2 electrodes, it still sparkslike a million dollars.</TD></TR></TABLE>just read my post people. it's only a myth for today's technology.
**btw... the battery i have is an optima battery.
**btw... the battery i have is an optima battery.
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Re: (cnaman)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by cnaman »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
and regarding the battery thing, why is our battery ok when it sits on a metal rack, but will drain when sitting on concrete?
makes no sense if u ask me. i'll stamp that as a myth.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
Well, I think it was because, the battery acid would leak from the cover, and since it was made w/ different material, not plastic, it would end up leaking.
And the reason it'd discharge quicker is, that concrete is very absorbant compared to metal. If you throw water on concrete, you'll see that it'll dry more quickly.
But that's not the problem now since the battery is made out of plastic.
So it was TRUE back, years ago but FALSE in the present time
and regarding the battery thing, why is our battery ok when it sits on a metal rack, but will drain when sitting on concrete?
makes no sense if u ask me. i'll stamp that as a myth.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
Well, I think it was because, the battery acid would leak from the cover, and since it was made w/ different material, not plastic, it would end up leaking.
And the reason it'd discharge quicker is, that concrete is very absorbant compared to metal. If you throw water on concrete, you'll see that it'll dry more quickly.
But that's not the problem now since the battery is made out of plastic.
So it was TRUE back, years ago but FALSE in the present time
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From: Nowhere and Everywhere
I had an old battery sitting in my garage for a month and when I finally got rid of it there was a stain on the floor below one corner of the battery.
But it was a really old battery anyway, probably leaking before I put it there.
But it was a really old battery anyway, probably leaking before I put it there.
