Why a Piece of Wood under Jiffy Stand?
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 368
Likes: 1
From: Washingrad Not DC
It is a grounding force, not a conductor
mud flap under the jiffy stand works better than wood, less chance to fall over.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,876
Likes: 3
From: Washington State
The truth is revealed
With Technical Services Manager Gale Kimbrough
Storing Batteries on Concrete?
Well, here we are within months of the new Millennium, and Im writing an article about an age old question ..."Will a battery be damaged or mysteriously discharged by allowing it to sit on concrete?" At least once a month, someone calls and asks this question or asks for clarification on the subject
Fact or Fiction
Well, is it true? Will a battery be damaged or discharged by letting it sit on concrete? NO!
Why then do so many people believe that concrete is a battery enemy? Years ago, batteries could have been electrically discharged by sitting on a concrete floor. My dad, for instance, owned an automotive shop for many years. In fact, I grew up on a creeper. My dad reminded me time after time, "Set that battery on wood! I know batteries discharge on concrete because Ive witnessed it!" And he was right at that time.
Historical Basis
You see, the myth that concrete drains batteries does have some historical basis. Many, many years ago, wooden battery cases encased a glass jar with the battery inside. 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 and had a high-carbon content. An electrical current could be conducted through this container if the moist concrete floor permitted the current to find an electrical ground. The wise advice of the old days to "keep batteries off concrete" has been passed down to us today, but it no longer applies because of the advanced technology of todays batteries.
Todays Technology
For more than a decade, automotive and commercial battery containers have been made of polypropylene, which is a highly insulative material. In fact, the Interstate Batteries poly material is at least five times more insulative than the old hard rubber. Also, tremendous technological improvements have been made in the seals around the posts and the vent systems, which have virtually eliminated electrolyte seepage and migration.
Battery Discharging
The fact is, all batteries self- discharge whether theyre sitting on the shelf or on concrete. This is why we regularly rotate your inventory. As the temperature increases, a batterys self-discharge level also increases. Some lead acid batteries discharge 4% - 8% per month at a temperature of 80°F. The level of self-discharge is also contingent upon the type of lead plate alloy plus the age and cleanliness of the battery.
If the battery has a surface layer of acid or grime, which is electrically conductive, it self-discharges more rapidly. This surface layer may actually allow you to measure the DC voltage across the batterys poly case (using a 10 meg-ohm digital voltmeter). For that reason, we recommend that you always keep batteries clean, whether theyre in storage or in a vehicle.
Grandfather Clause
You may now be thinking that you know more than your grandfather, who tells you that batteries stored on concrete will be damaged. Next time your grandfather says that, I recommend that you just say "Okay" and continue about your business. Im a grand-father now, and I know that we like to have our way and we like to be right. If my grandson, for instance, tries to tell me that concrete wont damage a battery, you know what Ill say? Ill say if you drop a battery on concrete, it will be damaged.
With Technical Services Manager Gale Kimbrough
Storing Batteries on Concrete?
Well, here we are within months of the new Millennium, and Im writing an article about an age old question ..."Will a battery be damaged or mysteriously discharged by allowing it to sit on concrete?" At least once a month, someone calls and asks this question or asks for clarification on the subject
Fact or Fiction
Well, is it true? Will a battery be damaged or discharged by letting it sit on concrete? NO!
Why then do so many people believe that concrete is a battery enemy? Years ago, batteries could have been electrically discharged by sitting on a concrete floor. My dad, for instance, owned an automotive shop for many years. In fact, I grew up on a creeper. My dad reminded me time after time, "Set that battery on wood! I know batteries discharge on concrete because Ive witnessed it!" And he was right at that time.
Historical Basis
You see, the myth that concrete drains batteries does have some historical basis. Many, many years ago, wooden battery cases encased a glass jar with the battery inside. 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 and had a high-carbon content. An electrical current could be conducted through this container if the moist concrete floor permitted the current to find an electrical ground. The wise advice of the old days to "keep batteries off concrete" has been passed down to us today, but it no longer applies because of the advanced technology of todays batteries.
Todays Technology
For more than a decade, automotive and commercial battery containers have been made of polypropylene, which is a highly insulative material. In fact, the Interstate Batteries poly material is at least five times more insulative than the old hard rubber. Also, tremendous technological improvements have been made in the seals around the posts and the vent systems, which have virtually eliminated electrolyte seepage and migration.
Battery Discharging
The fact is, all batteries self- discharge whether theyre sitting on the shelf or on concrete. This is why we regularly rotate your inventory. As the temperature increases, a batterys self-discharge level also increases. Some lead acid batteries discharge 4% - 8% per month at a temperature of 80°F. The level of self-discharge is also contingent upon the type of lead plate alloy plus the age and cleanliness of the battery.
If the battery has a surface layer of acid or grime, which is electrically conductive, it self-discharges more rapidly. This surface layer may actually allow you to measure the DC voltage across the batterys poly case (using a 10 meg-ohm digital voltmeter). For that reason, we recommend that you always keep batteries clean, whether theyre in storage or in a vehicle.
Grandfather Clause
You may now be thinking that you know more than your grandfather, who tells you that batteries stored on concrete will be damaged. Next time your grandfather says that, I recommend that you just say "Okay" and continue about your business. Im a grand-father now, and I know that we like to have our way and we like to be right. If my grandson, for instance, tries to tell me that concrete wont damage a battery, you know what Ill say? Ill say if you drop a battery on concrete, it will be damaged.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 7
From: Hoffman Estates, IL
I'll admit - I keep mine on a small piece of 2x4 in the garage more than not - But not because of the battery... I just personally find that it looks about 8.25% more kick-*** when it's up a few degrees.
But now, I have one of those center stands on the way... So I might retire the 2x4 - Even for fitting the jack underneath the bike.
But now, I have one of those center stands on the way... So I might retire the 2x4 - Even for fitting the jack underneath the bike.
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