HF has a nice little float charger for about $15. Works very well. You
can leave it connected permanently if needed. The idle current draw in
any late model computerized car is 100-500MA or more than that if
aftermarket sound sys or alarm is installed. This will pull a fresh
battery down to zip in a couple weeks, max. Once fully discharged, a
starting battery will start to sulfate up, and unless recharged soon
with a very heavy current, refuse to take a charge. A battery will only
discharge into a concrete floor if the floor is damp, and the battery
has a conductive scum of electrolyte on the case. Otherwise, no.
JR
Dweller in the cellar

Tom Gardner wrote:

Mom's car, sitting for 2.5 years had to be moved. The Interstate 72 mo.
battery that was put in just before storage won't take a charge...no
surprise, I put another new one in. Rather than turning in the core for $12
I will get it replaced under warranty. Is there any way to keep a new
battery on the shelf for extended periods of time? Should I keep it on a
trickle charger? Is it an urban myth that sitting on concrete will kill it?




--
--------------------------------------------------------------
Home Page: http://www.seanet.com/~jasonrnorth
If you're not the lead dog, the view never changes
Doubt yourself, and the real world will eat you alive
The world doesn't revolve around you, it revolves around me
No skeletons in the closet; just decomposing corpses
--------------------------------------------------------------
Dependence is Vulnerability:
--------------------------------------------------------------
"Open the Pod Bay Doors please, Hal"
"I'm sorry, Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that.."