This argument has been ongoing and seems to have taken over more than one thread dedicated to what should be bus conversions instead of battery discussions. I thought it would be a good idea to start a thread on the subject of storing batteries on concrete so it would no longer obscure anyone else's conversion thread.
So, is it true that leaving a perfectly charged battery on a concrete floor will discharge the cells faster than it would if it were stored on a shelf or other non-concrete surface?
I could find not a single forum or discussion anywhere on the internet where anyone posted anything to support this argument other than personal anecdotes or based on the experiences of "close friends or family members." A lot of people seem to know someone who says this happens, but when faced with any knowledgeable source of technical information—including battery manufacturers—these people still say it's a bad idea to leave a battery on the garage floor.
http://www.cartalk.com/content/business ... s-needs-be
http://www.thebatteryterminal.com/TechT ... ncrete.htm
http://www.plasmaboyracing.com/blog/?p=158
http://www.snopes.com/autos/techno/battery.asp
http://www.pacificpowerbatteries.com/ab ... faq14.html
Please feel free to add links to sources that argue both the merits and faults of this discussion, but please don't just say it's true because it happened to you. What you think happened and what actually happened may be two different things and your sample size of 1 is statistically irrelevant.
Personally, I'd like to see a battery test with a control sample included to finally put an end to this nonsense.
If anyone knows of such a test, please include a link.