Battery replacement

[mikechell]

I have never heard of "boiling a battery dry". Neither has any of the other instructors I've asked about it. If it works for you Mike ... disregard everything below.

The problem with that option is the plates, which are capable of oxidation. Leaving them dry exposes them to the forces of oxygen. Batteries that are bought dry, are also vacuum sealed and capped to prevent oxygen and moisture from getting in there too soon.

Best way to preserve batteries through the storage period is full and fully charged. The discharge cycle creates crystals on the "outflow" plates.
If a battery is stored in the discharged state, the crystal are many and will continue to "grow", feeding on electrolyte.
If the battery is fully charged, there are very few crystals and very little further crystallization can take place.
Oh, and fully charged, the electrolyte will not freeze until well below 0 degrees F. (I've heard it's as low as 77 degrees below freezing.