Eisboch wrote:

"Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq." wrote in message
...

So while they have improved the battery case, it is still good advice
to insult the bottom so all of the battery is kept at the same temp.

There's plenty of bottom insulting here. We don't need more.

Eisboch

Are we still talking about batteries?

I probably didn't explain the situation as well as this Battery FAQ site
did.

14.1. MYTH: Storing batteries on a concrete floor will discharge them.

False! All lead-acid batteries will naturally self-discharge which can
result in loss of capacity from sulfation.
The rate of self-discharge is most influenced by the temperature of the
battery's electrolyte and the chemistry
of the plates. This self-discharge is often mistaken for concrete floor
causing the battery to drain. Some experts
believe that storing car or deep cycle batteries on a colder concrete
floor might actually slow down the
self-discharge (leakage) rate because the floor acts as a heat sink and
cools the battery.
(Please see Section 13 for more information on storing batteries and
Section 1 for more information on sulfation.
In the early 1900s, when battery cases were made of porous materials
such as tar-lined wood boxes,
storing batteries on concrete floor would accelerate their natural
self-discharge due to external leakage.
Modern battery cases are made of polypropylene or hard rubber. These
cases are sealed better, so external
leakage-causing discharge is no longer a problem, provided the top of
the battery is clean and free
from wet or dried electrolyte and the same temperature as the floor.

Large differences in temperature could cause electrolyte stratification
within very large batteries
(250 AH) which could accelerate it's internal "leakage" or
self-discharge if the battery is sitting
on an extremely cold concrete, stone or steel floor in a warm room, boat
or submarine.
Stirrers or bubblers are often used on these types of large batteries to
keep the electrolyte
from stratifying. Undercharging will also cause electrolyte
stratification, which can also result
in loss of capacity from sulfation.