Battery Terminal Corrosion

[Chris Droke]

Anyone have a secret formula or product to stop battery terminal corrosion on the negative post. Last weekend i installed new cables to the starter and while I was at it cleaned battery post and changed the other few terminal ends on the negative side of the cranking battery. When I looked today, all the terminal ends had already turned a little blue/green in color. Someone once said to mix baking soda and vaseline and apply to the battery posts and terminals. Anyone ever used this mixture or is there something better?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Jim B]

I use Permatex Battery Protector & Sealer that i got ay my local car quest on mine every season when i install the batteries and i never get any corrosion on them at all.

 

[Bruce Freeman]

Dielectric grease, is what should be used, The prermatex works well also. Vaseline is not a good conducter and shoud be avoided.



BF

 

[Texas Transplant]

I use the same Permatex Sealer. Just make sure they are nice and clean, and completely dry before applying. Once I started using it, no problems.



Tex

 

[Scott Hammer TOXIC]

Also check to see if you have something shorting out. That normally is the cause of corrosion on your terminals.



TOXIC

 

[Chris Droke]

Thanks guys for the input. Hey Toxic if I was having something short out wouldn't I have a problem with a fuse or breaker? Everything is working and nothing is blowing anything. I don't think this really started until I installed the XPS on board charger. Wonder if that could be causing the problem? It appears to be working fine.

 

[Scott Hammer TOXIC]

Shorting may not be the right term but with cars and boats, you get corroded Terminals/cables "usually" from stray current in the lines. Could be a bad ground or something like that. All I know is that with everything hooked up properly, your terminals will not corrode as a normal thing. Mine don't in my boat. Nor do they in any of my cars or truck...Well the jeep does but it is because I run aftermarket lights.



TOXIC

 

[Texas Transplant]

A poor ground connection, will cause you more electrical problems than almost anything. In a boat especially, it's not as easy to ensure you have a good ground.



It's also interesting that almost everyone will describe an electrical problem as a 'short' - when reality is that the problems are mostly due to 'opens'. If it's shorted, you will either pop a fuse/breaker/fusable link - or burn up the wiring.



Tex

 

[Mini]

TT has it. You have abad ground somewhere