How does one control battery corrosion?

[Catpowered]

It is a seemingly endless task to control battery corrosion on the hold-down straps, the hold-down bolts, the battery terminals and anything steel in the vicinity of the batteries. I tried removing the batteries, rinsing anything steel in a a baking soda solution and priming/repainting. I even tried spraying an anti-corrosion coating. That only lasts about 6 months. I do not overfill the cells, only up to the bottom of the well. The battery charger is not over-charging, in fact it is not used at all during storage (solar cell charger). I am looking for ideas to win this battle. I have read about "battery mats" in this forum and wonder if they work as advertised.

[Catpowered]

It is a seemingly endless task to control battery corrosion on the hold-down straps, the hold-down bolts, the battery terminals and anything steel in the vicinity of the batteries. I tried removing the batteries, rinsing anything steel in a a baking soda solution and priming/repainting. I even tried spraying an anti-corrosion coating. That only lasts about 6 months. I do not overfill the cells, only up to the bottom of the well. The battery charger is not over-charging, in fact it is not used at all during storage (solar cell charger). I am looking for ideas to win this battle. I have read about "battery mats" in this forum and wonder if they work as advertised.

[FrontRangeRVer]

1. I have heard some owners that put oil in their flooded cell batteries have good results from corrosion and gassing, but.....

2. The best way to TRUELY eliminate the corrosion is to replace your flooded cell batteries with AGM batteries.

[UFO Pilot]

There was a recent discussion on one of these boards regarding putting a small amount of oil in the batteries to stop corrosion. I am not endorsing this as I have not tried it, but only passing the info along. Maybe a search of the boards will let you find the discussion.

[DonavonP]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by FrontRangeRVer:
2. The best way to TRUELY eliminate the corrosion is to replace your flooded cell batteries with AGM batteries. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

This is what I'd do too.

[John_Canfield]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by FrontRangeRVer:
1. I have heard some owners that put oil in their flooded cell batteries have good results from corrosion and gassing, but.....

2. The best way to TRUELY eliminate the corrosion is to replace your flooded cell batteries with AGM batteries. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Amen brother!

[skigramp]

Catpowered

I use these on the bottom of my Battery tray ...

Battery Mat

I have had no corrosion on the tray ...

The local RV place where I have my oil changed has some sort of spray on "purple" grease that they spray on my terminals ...

I have had no corrosion problems ... Sorry that I do not know the name of the spray on grease ... it is in an aerosol can ... it may be a NAPA product

[unclesmirf]

I have found that Gray Primer # 9560T81 and Multipurpose solvent based Rubber Coating # 9560T4 from Mc Mastercarr (www.mcmaster.com) works really good for painting (sealing) around the batteries.

[smlranger]

Regarding the mineral oil in the cells....I have been putting about 1 1/2 ounces of mineral oil in each cell of the deep cycle batteries for my 24 volt trolling motor in my boat. I have absolutely no problems with corrision even though the 3 stage charger stays on all the time.

I have not put oil in the deep cycle batteries on my coach. I do use the Qwik Fill battery manifolds on the coach and corrosion has not been a problem. I agree with John that AGM's are the ultimate solution and I will certainly have them on my next coach.

[Don-Savannah, GA]

A word of caution using mineral oil in batteries, a hydrometer can no longer be used to check battery condition.