nialusa, you're right about the batteries. New batteries come dry. Acid is supposed to be added to the full mark. The battery is supposed to be allowed to sit for one hour, and then be charged to full charge. Acid is again supposed to be added to bring the acid level up to exactly the full mark. Anything added after that would only be water. I keep using the word "supposed," because the average shop only adds the acid the first time, and puts the battery on the shelf for sale. That's why when you get a new battery, the acid level is usually too low. The gallon of acid I bought 20 years ago still serves it purpose to top-off any new batteries I bought through the years. However, this probably isn't what djsep's problem is. Be nice if it was.