wrote:



Can anyone tell me what the heck went wrong with the battery? I'm assuming
it's shot and needs replacement. Temperature here is mild (50-80 degrees
F). Humidity is high. I've never seen this happen to a lead-acid battery
before....

That battery is toast. Anytime the level of the electrolyte falls below
the top of the plates for any but the shortest amount of time the
battery is wrecked.