Battery corrosion

[easy money]

One of the house batteries on my class A seams to corrode in a couple months. What should I treat the post and wire ends to slow this or stop the corrosion ?

[MSHappyCampers]

Mix up baking soda in water, pretty heavy, and pour it on the battery posts. Let it sit for a while, wash off, and repeat until all the corrosion is gone!

Once it's gone and the batteries dry thoroughly, go to the auto parts store and buy a spray can of clear acrylic, or ignition spray. Coat the posts and terminals good. Put several coats on, letting it dry between coats.

Problem solved!

[lynnmor]

Often when you have excessive corrosion the battery is about spent. You might want it tested.

[rgvtexan]

X2 what Joe says, or other post protectors, and then install a Pro-Fill On-Board Battery Watering System. The caps fit very well and stop a lot of off gassing and spattering.

[vsheetz]

I clean with a battery cleaner spray, then coat terminals with a battery protective spray. Have done this a couple three times a year with multiple coaches. Stuff I buy at autozone. Seems to work for me.

[daledrob]

I have drove truck and operated have you equipment for 46 years and the best thing to clean your terminals with as was stated earlier is baking soda. Mix up a solution of baking soda and water I prefer warm water so that it dissolves and actually soak The inns of your battery cables in it overnight. Let those dry thoroughly and then just use regular Grease from a grease gun. Coat the terminal ends with that grease and the terminals themselves and as the oils creeped out of the grease it will fill all of the nooks and crannies so that the corrosion will not start in the first place.This works better than the Spray can. The spray can does not penetrate like the grease nor does it thoroughly coat under around and through.and if you have the watering system as mentioned in one of the other posts then you wouldn't have the liquid oil out and leave the top of your battery went to start the corrosion.

[pcurt23]

Originally Posted by rgvtexan

X2 what Joe says, or other post protectors, and then install a Pro-Fill On-Board Battery Watering System. The caps fit very well and stop a lot of off gassing and spattering.

Pro-fill completely stopped all the corrosion mess for me. And made it easy to service the batteries.

[TQ60]

A couple things to ponder.

Battery and charging system status and condition of connectors.

First a lot of corrosion is indicative of presence of acid.

Should not be any on top of the battery unless something is wrong.

One source is cracked post to case seal and the other is excessive gassing causing acid to come out of the caps.

The cables are "easy targets" so vapor will attack it.

If you are adding what seems like a lot of water or doing it often that could be.

Check charging voltage as well as popping caps while floating and look for bubbles.

Last is cable condition.

Wire brush based cleaners do not get all of the acid out and it is like cancer.

Many folks do not inspect the rubber to metal areas for acid either so remaining acid still works.

A reamer type of post tool removes metal and makes both the post and connector fresh clean metal of the same shape.

BE CAREFUL AS ONLY A TINY BIT IS NEEDED AND TOO MANY TURNS CAN MAKE IT TOO SMALL/ LARGE!

Use electrical grease on all new shiny parts by using finger or small rag to wipe them down.

Next after cleaning the rest rub the grease into every nook and cranny of the connector.

Place on post and torque it down but due to grease on bolt not quite as tight.

The clamping force will squeeze out any grease where metal to metal contact is required and remain in any pockets.

Last make sure whole post and cable are coated...not gobbed up, just a light coating.

A bad battery may Gass excessively under normal charging conditions so if bubbling but correct voltage take out for testing.

.

[nothermark]

FWIW Also be careful where the baking soda gets into. It neutralizes the acid in the battery the same way it neutralizes the acid on the posts. One bad, one good. ;-)

[nomad95]

Originally Posted by TQ60

A couple things to ponder.

Battery and charging system status and condition of connectors.

First a lot of corrosion is indicative of presence of acid.

Should not be any on top of the battery unless something is wrong.

One source is cracked post to case seal and the other is excessive gassing causing acid to come out of the caps.

The cables are "easy targets" so vapor will attack it.

If you are adding what seems like a lot of water or doing it often that could be.

Check charging voltage as well as popping caps while floating and look for bubbles.

Last is cable condition.

Wire brush based cleaners do not get all of the acid out and it is like cancer.

Many folks do not inspect the rubber to metal areas for acid either so remaining acid still works.

A reamer type of post tool removes metal and makes both the post and connector fresh clean metal of the same shape.

BE CAREFUL AS ONLY A TINY BIT IS NEEDED AND TOO MANY TURNS CAN MAKE IT TOO SMALL/ LARGE!

Use electrical grease on all new shiny parts by using finger or small rag to wipe them down.

Next after cleaning the rest rub the grease into every nook and cranny of the connector.

Place on post and torque it down but due to grease on bolt not quite as tight.

The clamping force will squeeze out any grease where metal to metal contact is required and remain in any pockets.

Last make sure whole post and cable are coated...not gobbed up, just a light coating.

A bad battery may Gass excessively under normal charging conditions so if bubbling but correct voltage take out for testing.

.

X2what he's said . What I have found is corrosion is due to loose connections or dirty posts on battery. 👍

[TQ60]

Yup...

Stuff is like cancer in that any bit left will still get nasty.

[YC1]

If the battery is a couple years old, replace it. You are fighting a losing battle. We do not buy batteries, we just rent them. Replace it before it gives you real problems. If a battery is gassing and charging voltages are ok it is time to get the thing out of there.

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by nothermark

FWIW Also be careful where the baking soda gets into. It neutralizes the acid in the battery the same way it neutralizes the acid on the posts. One bad, one good. ;-)

Good advice, and be sure to thoroughly wash all the baking soda and acid off!