Battery Corrosion

[gator67]

I'm having a problem with corrosion appearing along the long bar between the sets of batteries.



I had Interstate U2400 batteries when I got the coach. They had the proper 28 mm stems for the autofill system. The batteries were bad and were replaced with U2200 batteries, which are supposed to have 34mm stems. So, I now have shorter stems than spec'd. I asked Western RV if that would be a problem, and they said it would not, there would just be a little more water in the batteries. I can't see that the cells are leaking from the top, but could the incorrect stems be contributing to the corrosion? Any other possibilities? Should there not be ANY corrosion showing up?

[gator67]

I'm having a problem with corrosion appearing along the long bar between the sets of batteries.



I had Interstate U2400 batteries when I got the coach. They had the proper 28 mm stems for the autofill system. The batteries were bad and were replaced with U2200 batteries, which are supposed to have 34mm stems. So, I now have shorter stems than spec'd. I asked Western RV if that would be a problem, and they said it would not, there would just be a little more water in the batteries. I can't see that the cells are leaking from the top, but could the incorrect stems be contributing to the corrosion? Any other possibilities? Should there not be ANY corrosion showing up?

[Ted III]

coat all your batteries and all areas with baking soda and rinse. Do this periodically and you will eliminate the corrosion. It will not eliminate it from happening.

[bigfish]

As Ted stated, clean the corrosion off with a mixure of water & baking soda. When dry, spray all terminals and exposed metallic parts including the hold down bar with a battery corrosion inhibiter. Buy little spray can of the stuff at local Wally World or auto parts store. Wet cell batteries will vent off hydrogen gas while being charged and this is what is causing the corrosion on all exposed metallic parts in immediate vicinity. If exposed parts are not coated, corrosion will start immediatly after every cleaning.
BTF

[htg3]

I had the same problem with the bars and had some cut the same size from ABS plastic scraps (about the 1/4" thick). I drilled the holes to match the original bars and reinstalled using the same washers/nuts. No more corrosion.
I have not had them on long (2 trips) so I am waiting to see if cracks develop near the holes.
The price was right as they didn't charge me anything for the plastic, so we'll see.
I did keep the old bars in case the ABS doesn't work and "Plan B" is to have them cleaned up and powder coated.