Corroding battery terminals
06-10-2012, 04:28 PM
#1
Sausage Aficionado (In training)
Thread Starter
Corroding battery terminals
Ok, so not really a diesel question but it fits better here than anywhere else. I have a JD lawn tractor that has been giving me grief for years. For some reason the battery terminals corrode really badly. I clean them with a wire brush and wash them with baking soda but two or three times a year l I have to take it all apart and clean everything up to get it to start. It seems to happen at the busiest times. I remember as a kid my Dad used to put a penny beside one of the battery terminals on a little drop of petroleum jelly. The penny is supposed to corrode faster than the battery terminal. Kind of like the anode in the water tank in your RV. Problem is I cannot remember which terminal you put the penny beside. Does anyone remember this trick and know where to put the penny?
This trick will likely die off in Canada eventually since the Canadian Mint no longer makes pennies.
This trick will likely die off in Canada eventually since the Canadian Mint no longer makes pennies.
06-10-2012, 05:31 PM
#3
With age comes the cage
Most battery stores will have these products:
http://www.noco-usa.com/pdf/Noco-Catalog-Chemicals.pdf
use the cleaner / neutralizer, rinse with water, Install washers and spray with the protector..
http://www.noco-usa.com/pdf/Noco-Catalog-Chemicals.pdf
use the cleaner / neutralizer, rinse with water, Install washers and spray with the protector..
06-10-2012, 06:05 PM
#4
Sausage Aficionado (In training)
Thread Starter
Thanks Colo. I have never heard of any terminal protecting products like that before. Now I want them in bulk for 2 trucks, 2 cars, 3 Trailers, 1 quad and 2 lawn tractors. There are a lot of toys in the yard and barn. Not all of the toys are mine but I end up being the preventative maintenance guy.
Until then, a couple of pieces of copper from household wire will prolly do better than pennies.
Until then, a couple of pieces of copper from household wire will prolly do better than pennies.
06-10-2012, 08:36 PM
#5
Registered User
Thanks Colo. I have never heard of any terminal protecting products like that before. Now I want them in bulk for 2 trucks, 2 cars, 3 Trailers, 1 quad and 2 lawn tractors. There are a lot of toys in the yard and barn. Not all of the toys are mine but I end up being the preventative maintenance guy.
Until then, a couple of pieces of copper from household wire will prolly do better than pennies.
Until then, a couple of pieces of copper from household wire will prolly do better than pennies.
06-10-2012, 10:44 PM
#6
Registered User
Often, it's a sign that the battery is leaking around the posts, and time to put that battery in the garbage before it costs you a set of cables. 
Other than that, I've had really good luck with the aerosol product "Fluid Film" as a battery terminal protectant. Never tried the penny trick, but it sounds kinda neat.
Other than that, I've had really good luck with the aerosol product "Fluid Film" as a battery terminal protectant. Never tried the penny trick, but it sounds kinda neat.
06-10-2012, 11:32 PM
#7
With age comes the cage
Thanks Colo. I have never heard of any terminal protecting products like that before. Now I want them in bulk for 2 trucks, 2 cars, 3 Trailers, 1 quad and 2 lawn tractors. There are a lot of toys in the yard and barn. Not all of the toys are mine but I end up being the preventative maintenance guy.
Until then, a couple of pieces of copper from household wire will prolly do better than pennies.
Until then, a couple of pieces of copper from household wire will prolly do better than pennies.
I have been using this system for 30 yrs in my shop, and yes it works well..
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06-11-2012, 12:09 AM
#8
Registered User
06-11-2012, 03:40 AM
#9
Administrator
Battery cables corrode when the seal is broken around the battery post allowing the gas vapors to escape into the terminal as the battery charges.
Make sure the battery is not overcharging and the vent tube is not pinched or otherwise restricted allowing the gas pressure to build up inside the battery case.
When I was a county mechanic on transit coaches we would steam clean the 8-D banks load test the batteries and then paint the terminals using NCP-2
But if you get corrosion into a cable it is pretty much impossible to neutralize it, corrosion can wick to the opposite end of the cable under the jacket, even if you neutralize the acid the cable has already been compromised.
NoCo Impregnated felt washers under the battery terminals also help to buffer the acid around the post.
Even sealing the complete terminal and post using heavy grease will help, just messy.
Make sure the battery is not overcharging and the vent tube is not pinched or otherwise restricted allowing the gas pressure to build up inside the battery case.
When I was a county mechanic on transit coaches we would steam clean the 8-D banks load test the batteries and then paint the terminals using NCP-2
But if you get corrosion into a cable it is pretty much impossible to neutralize it, corrosion can wick to the opposite end of the cable under the jacket, even if you neutralize the acid the cable has already been compromised.
NoCo Impregnated felt washers under the battery terminals also help to buffer the acid around the post.
Even sealing the complete terminal and post using heavy grease will help, just messy.
06-11-2012, 07:43 AM
#10
Administrator ........ DTR's puttin fires out and workin on big trucks admin
Battery cables corrode when the seal is broken around the battery post allowing the gas vapors to escape into the terminal as the battery charges.
Make sure the battery is not overcharging and the vent tube is not pinched or otherwise restricted allowing the gas pressure to build up inside the battery case.
When I was a county mechanic on transit coaches we would steam clean the 8-D banks load test the batteries and then paint the terminals using NCP-2
But if you get corrosion into a cable it is pretty much impossible to neutralize it, corrosion can wick to the opposite end of the cable under the jacket, even if you neutralize the acid the cable has already been compromised.
NoCo Impregnated felt washers under the battery terminals also help to buffer the acid around the post.
Even sealing the complete terminal and post using heavy grease will help, just messy.
Make sure the battery is not overcharging and the vent tube is not pinched or otherwise restricted allowing the gas pressure to build up inside the battery case.
When I was a county mechanic on transit coaches we would steam clean the 8-D banks load test the batteries and then paint the terminals using NCP-2
But if you get corrosion into a cable it is pretty much impossible to neutralize it, corrosion can wick to the opposite end of the cable under the jacket, even if you neutralize the acid the cable has already been compromised.
NoCo Impregnated felt washers under the battery terminals also help to buffer the acid around the post.
Even sealing the complete terminal and post using heavy grease will help, just messy.
This is perfect advise.
I do as Jim stated the only difference is I spray the terminals down with a synthetic spray grease, polylube from Winzer or Zep 2000, I have also used Fluid Film with great success.
06-11-2012, 04:15 PM
#12
Registered User
Sometimes running a bead of silicone gasket material around the bottom of the posts can seal it up and stop the corrosion. WOrked on my Dodge for about 6 months, now I see it coming back.
06-11-2012, 06:50 PM
#13
Sausage Aficionado (In training)
Thread Starter
The battery is about 12 yrs old so I guess it doesn't owe me much. It doesn't hold a charge all that well any more either, I guess I could crack open the wallet and fork over the $60 for a new one. An oil change on the truck costs me more that that.
06-17-2012, 12:53 PM
#15
Sausage Aficionado (In training)
Thread Starter