On 11 Dec 2002, at 17:11, John Rodgers wrote:

> Most acid electrolyte batteries "Fume" just an imperceptable bit, and
> the result is an almost undetectable coating of electrolyte on the case,
> providing a direct circuit to "Ground", in this case, the concrete
floor.
> Result - dead battery. The wood acts as an insulator.
>

Nah.  Forget the term "ground".  It's meaningless with a stand-alone
battery. With escaped electrolyte, it's certainly possible for leakage
paths to form but the path typically takes the shortest route, directly
between battery posts.

//Jack