That description makes no sense to me. A battery will not discharge to
the earth. It needs some connection between both the positive and
negative terminals. If both connect to the earth via the theory you
describe then they would connect to each other in any case and discharge
on wood as well. Urban myth I say.

Mark

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.
>
> John Rodgers
> 88 Gl driver
>
> Michael Townsend wrote:
> >  I thought that "never store a battery on a concrete floor" thing was an
> >  urban legend that everyone followed just "in case!"  What is the science
> >  behind it, and why does Optima claim their spiral cells are immune from it?
> >
> >  Michael
> >
> >
> >>3) Gell-cells are the greatest invention since sliced bread.  They don't
> >
> >  spill, out-gas (noticeably) or rot your floor.  They are prone to plate
> >  dammage like a wet-cell though, so never store them on a cement floor.
> >