There is a fellow here in Connecticut that has had a battery business for years and he actually builds batteries.  I can temember going to him 30 years ago to get an 8 volt battery made up because they weren't available locally. (we put in an OC-3) 
   He took my old forklift battery in trade for a new one... he told me he rebuilds them, this battery is about 30 inches by 36 inches square and 26 inches tall....thats a LOT of lead!
He told me that he can lift out an individual cell and replace it if it is bad.....interesting, but if smell is any indicator of a hazardous environment, that place is truely bad! 
                                    Cal