Is there anyway to stop that crap? I pull my cables off and thoroughly wire brush them but it comes back right away and makes me mad! Anyone have a cure? 

Engine oil. What is the only two substances that can hold sulfuric acid? Plastic and glass. So what is plastic made from? Oil. I keep my post damp with engine oil and never have to clean my terminals.

Why is there corrosion around the battery terminals?

It's because the seal between the battery post and battery case is bad,  The battery gases venting there cause the corrosion. 

AGM or Gell batteries 

I'm not a fan of gel or AGM batteries. Being all my lead acid batteries last over ten years. Even then 4,800 dollars worth of batteries powering my house and never had a corrosion issues and life span of 13 years. I can equalize my batteries every month and top off the electrolyte.

4 hours ago, Mopar1973Man said:

Engine oil. What is the only two substances that can hold sulfuric acid? Plastic and glass. So what is plastic made from? Oil. I keep my post damp with engine oil and never have to clean my terminals.

Time to get out the oils squirt can! 

I don't like paying triple amount for batteries myself but that was my opinoin on solution to corrosion. 

I have leadacid in my truck too and regularly checking up on them.

1 hour ago, Dieselfuture said:

I don't like paying triple amount for batteries myself but that was my opinoin on solution to corrosion.

 

AGM and gel cell cannot be equalized charged. Charge rates that are excessive can and will vent moisture from the electrolyte. Once the cells dry out exposing plate material the cell is permanently damaged. 

 

 

Over 25 years battery experience. When the 8 batteries here cost $4,800 a set to replace you learn VERY QUICKLY how to make then last the longest. Equalize charging changes the sulfation on the plate back to lead material. It also stirs the sulfuric acid and distilled water back together and prevents stratification or separation of the sulfuric acid and the distilled water.  Again this is something you cannot do with an AGM or gel cell.

 

http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/equalizing_charge

 

 

Edited March 30, 20187 yr by Mopar1973Man

Ok... Pictures say a thousand words. Remember these are OEM battery cables. Main battery...

 

Now the secondary battery...

 

Moving over to the house power system. Full battery bank notice there isn't any corrosion on these cable either after 20 years of service. 

 

Close up...

 

9 hours ago, IBMobile said:

Why is there corrosion around the battery terminals?

It's because the seal between the battery post and battery case is bad,  The battery gases venting there cause the corrosion. 

 

This is a good question to ask. I had this same problem and it ended up being a pinhole in my radiator that the fan was misting all over the engine bay. Apparently even very small amounts of coolant corrode battery terminals quickly.

13 minutes ago, fogged306 said:

 

This is a good question to ask. I had this same problem and it ended up being a pinhole in my radiator that the fan was misting all over the engine bay. Apparently even very small amounts of coolant corrode battery terminals quickly.

 

If the coolant is old and the pH level drifted towards the corrosive side it will act as an oxidizer as well and create the same type of damage as battery acid (sulfuric acid). 

FWIW, I have used the red battery spray stuff from the parts store for years & have never had any issues with corrosion.  I also put the felt pads under the terminals.  do they do anything................ I have no idea, but I have 10 batteries in various vehicles & have never had an issue.  but I also take care of mine too.  every time I open the hood I wipe the tops off & every once in a while I clean them off & spray them again with that red stuff.  

Never did like that spray terminal stuff. Every time I lean over the terminal rub my arm on it end up with red spray junk all over my clothes and my arm. Engine oil leaves just a minor oily film on the terminals and will not get back you or your clothes. The felt pads don't do anything either being only protecting what its touching. So just the bottom of the terminal and the top of the battery. 

Edited April 1, 20187 yr by Mopar1973Man

On ‎3‎/‎30‎/‎2018 at 11:34 AM, Mopar1973Man said:

Engine oil. What is the only two substances that can hold sulfuric acid? Plastic and glass. So what is plastic made from? Oil. I keep my post damp with engine oil and never have to clean my terminals.

X2. I've had zero issues with any corrosion since I started using oil.

approx how much oil are you using per terminal, and what method are you using to apply it?  Cables clamped on the batteries or remove them to apply?

Just enough to lightly coat, like you would put oil on a piece of metal to prevent rust. I have a small squeeze can I use to put a few drops on and spread it around with a finger. A small brush would help also. I thoroughly clean each terminal and clamp prior to assy. and then apply the oil over top.

thank you Dave, I will do this, this weekend

Your'e welcome!

15 years later still look the same. I've never really had to clean the terminals at all. When I changed batteries back at 10 year I cleaned them but since then I've not touched them.

 

 

What about spraying the terminals with WD-40?

18 hours ago, Marcus2000monster said:

What about spraying the terminals with WD-40?

 

It will work but doesn't last long. Got to treat it more often.