The flexible tubing (2) includes a container (5) between the external connection (3) of the air supply and the battery cells (1), to collect any electrolyte reaching the tubing (2).

Electrical protective resistors are incorporated in individual cells.

The method involves introducing air, especially ambient air, or a non-reactive gas or an inert gas into a gas volume (7) above the maximum acid (14) level in a housing and removing the air or gas again, whereby the flow of air or gas cools the cells to a d...