Subject: Can you use alternative acids to Sulfuric acid in a lead-acid battery?

I am doing a collaborative installation art exhibit with one of my old
professors.  My body of work is electrochemical in nature and usually involves
simple circuits and primary cells.  This time around, my professor's end of the
exhibit requires a rather huge battery capable of being recharged.  Thus I
turned to secondary cells and lead-acid batteries.  I am going for a simple
Plante cell battery that requires forming of the active materials on the plates.
 I know how to do this, but the problem is that sulfuric acid is a little too
dangerous vapor wise to have a few gallons evaporating into a relatively small
room.  Sealing the individual cells with valves or such may not be feasible
given time and budget constraints.  

I am a little weak on my chemistry and i can't even find the chemical formulas
for some simple, more 'freindly' alternatives I thought of.  I need to know IF
there is another suitable acid, and WHICH one would work the best.  I've already
tried acetic acid (vinegar) only to later find out that acetic acid attacks the
lead and quickly ruins the cell.  I'm afraid that lemon and/or lime juice may
have acetic acid in them... what would be a very odor freindly acid that would
work?  citric? ascorbic?  maybe there is one that I don't even know about.

Thank you for any help, Dave

Re: Can you use alternative acids to Sulfuric acid in a lead-acid battery?