Battery Terminal Corrosion

[Industrial Toys]

I have done it on formed ones. The large (for underground communications service) heat shrink assumes the shape. The bolts get poked (driled) through the heatshrink and I usually put small heatshrink on the bolts too.

 

[newbury]

<snip> You don't over fill them by chance?

Or FILL them when cold and then the water expands when the battery gets hot.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I was headed out that way, so I thought I would take a picture of my Mule battery. I have done others simularly with good results.

Heavy Black Epoxy filled Heatshrink on the bracket and smaller red heatshrink on the bolts that came from some Ham flea market in Rochester, originally from a Naval Yard.

I did not spray those terminals as I don't want them to attract dirt and the felt washers seem to be doing their job. Battery is maybe four or five years old.

 

[3Ts]

You said you check the fluid levels. You don't over fill them by chance?

Or FILL them when cold and then the water expands when the battery gets hot.

No, just to the bottom of the ring. I normally check everything when it's around 70*. I'm old enough that I don't have to work in the heat or cold anymore. Besides, I now have a garage that is attached to the house and has moderated temperatures.

 

[3Ts]

I see what you mean with the heatshrink. I'll have to see if I can get something big enough. I do have some silicone tape that adheres to itself and is used to seal underground electrical splices. I'll have to try that if I can't get big enuf heatshrink.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Maybe E-Bay for the heatshrink. I am a little unclear about water level. I thought just at the ring was too high and it should be just covering the plates. Somewhere inbetween the plates and bottom of the ring. The acid would have less tendency to push up the tube, I would think.

 

[robbyr]

Have two batteries on my 2012 Dodge that don’t do that. However, also had a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix that did. I either poured Coke or baking soda and water on it frequently. Still kept doing it.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Have you checked your charging system to make sure you're not overcharging those batteries? That much corrosion seems to me it's indicating way above normal out gassing. Either bad battery, or overcharging (cooking) is what I'm thinking. And my gas powered '12 F-250 doesn't do any of that. It's a single battery setup, and I just put in a new AGM battery last winter when my original OEM Ford battery died.

Random thought added...

Are you *sure* you're getting all the old corrosion off completely before you put on the new felt rings and spray the protectant on the posts? That spray will only work if the posts and cable terminals are completely clean first. There are spray foam cleaners you can use first, to kill the chemical reaction going on, and get all the corrosion off, before you spray the protectant on.

 

[3Ts]

Are you *sure* you're getting all the old corrosion off completely before you put on the new felt rings and spray the protectant on the posts? That spray will only work if the posts and cable terminals are completely clean first. There are spray foam cleaners you can use first, to kill the chemical reaction going on, and get all the corrosion off, before you spray the protectant on.

First time this has happened on this truck and on only one of the two batteries. I plan to be sure it's clean down to bare copper. I've got a toothbrush small brass brushes and sandpaper ready as soon as I get a replacement battery this morning.

 

[tallyho8]

First time this has happened on this truck and on only one of the two batteries. I plan to be sure it's clean down to bare copper. I've got a toothbrush small brass brushes and sandpaper ready as soon as I get a replacement battery this morning.

I've been told that it is recommended to change both batteries at once with the same kind or they won't charge properly.