A happy (for now
) ending. Returned batt to Pep Boys and no questions asked, a brief test and a new one in my hand.
Tech determined that the cell nearest the neg terminal was crapped. I live and learn.
New one was manufactured in Dec. and shipped in Mar.
12.5 out of the box. 14.8 at 1500 and 14.2 at 600-all at 63F. Took a little bit of distilled to get to the split rings.
Will watch it for a while as paranoia
never goes away.
Thanks to all.