sump pump battery

[Les]

I can't validate my position that sump pump 12vdc battery should not be sitting directly on concrete.

I thought all batteries should set on an insulating material; not directly on concrete.

Is this another case of an urban legend vs fact?

[rkenney]

True years ago but no longer.

Years ago the lead acid battery cases were made of a hard rubber with a high carbon content. Cases were slightly porous and batteries would discharge to concrete. (Those who remember, batteries were not stored 'wet' - you had to fill with sulfuric acid and charge before use.)

Todays batteries cases are polypropylene, which is a highly insulative material so the same problem no longer exists.

[John Kogel]

Yeah but a warm battery works better than a cold one.

[rjbrown2]

Depending on local environmental conditions in said basement, the concrete might be warmer than the surrounding air (in places like BC) and the conduction heat transfer coefficient is much greater than the free convection heat transfer coefficient of the air - so much engineer BS for it might be a good thing to be on the floor for the battery assuming no flooding conditions

[John Kogel]

Depending on local environmental conditions in said basement, the concrete might be warmer than the surrounding air (in places like BC) and the conduction heat transfer coefficient is much greater than the free convection heat transfer coefficient of the air - so much engineer BS for it might be a good thing to be on the floor for the battery assuming no flooding conditions

One night spent on a basement floor in BC will change your mind about that one. []

I would put a styrofoam pad under the battery. I put one under the cat's bed and she appeared to be grateful for it.