[EricH]

Originally Posted by TubaMorg

On a philosophical note, does a battery count as a battery if it's not part of the electrical system? Yes, yes, I know the rules about one and only one 12v primary battery, but if it's not plugged into anything is it really a battery? Is it not just a battery shaped weight? Not that I'm advocating for using extra batteries as weights, but still an interesting point of discussion.

Is a battery a battery if it's not part of an electrical system? If not, then someone needs to go after Duracell and Energizer for false advertising.[/sarcasm]

Seriously, I would argue that a battery is a battery at any time. If it is only a battery when current is flowing, then anytime the main breaker is hit, the battery becomes a battery-shaped weight. If it is only a battery when hooked into the electrical system, then you're charging a battery-shaped weight. (Don't get any ideas.)

More importantly, a battery has the potential to suddenly become a spark generator at any time. As soon as it hits metal on both contacts, it becomes a safety hazard, but it may or may not be plugged into an electrical system. Is it not a battery then?