To the OP... use a standard battery charger to start with. Based on the limited information provided sounds like the plates are over oxidised... old stock. Go for glass matt.... only a £10 more.
Well written piece... if I put it on here it would be ripped apart and the thread would end up in the wasteland.
Good article. I tried the "other battery hook up initial charge" method as suggested above for which I had high hopes. Nae joy. Scunnered!