Mud on Battery issues

[EddieWalker]

I think the battery on my backhoe is just a few years old, but I can't say for sure. Time flies by too fast to remember for sure. It's been working great and the engine usually fires up right away. The last two times I started it, it was slow and took quite awhile until it caught and fired up. Today it wouldn't start at all. The easiest way to get the battery cable to it is to take off the front screen. The battery is right behind it, in front of the radiator.

This is what I saw.




The dirt is a quarter inch thick and moist. I never thought about dirt on a battery causing any problems, but if it's wet, could that cause the battery to drain or not hold a charge? We've also just started to get some colder temps down into the 30's. It might just be the cooler temps and an older battery, that needs to be replaced, but I am curious if the wet dirt might have caused it, or been a part of the battery not holding a charge like it used to.

 

[5030]

geeze Eddie....Time for some maintenance don't you think?

 

[davesl708]

Wet mud will certainly conduct electricity. Could drain or fry the battery. What plant is growing there?
I would clean it up, charge it an load test it since cold weather is near by. This way you will know if the battery is going to get you through the winter.

 

[PILOON]

I'd say yes, at least with AC for sure.
Water does conduct so mud would also, with the acidity levels determining the rate.

 

[DFB]

I always love it when you guys in the more temperate climes say its cold it when its +30F

 

[davesl708]

I always love it when you guys in the more temperate climes say its cold it when its +30F

LOL, Below 75 is cold. 32 is freezing and time to migrate.

 

[k0ua]

Eddie, I believe that much mud would likely cause quite a drain on the battery. Yeah I would clean that up!

I have never seen a battery top that dirty!

 

[EddieWalker]

Thanks. I'm thinking I might need to invest in a cover for the top of the battery. Being in the front like this, the dust never ends coming off of the loader. Especially when hauling debris with the grapple all day long, day after day.

This is just one of those things I never even thought about. Turn the key, it starts, so why check how clean the top of the battery is?

 

[k0ua]

Thanks. I'm thinking I might need to invest in a cover for the top of the battery. Being in the front like this, the dust never ends coming off of the loader. Especially when hauling debris with the grapple all day long, day after day.

This is just one of those things I never even thought about. Turn the key, it starts, so why check how clean the top of the battery is?

I think a rubbermaid container turned upside down over the battery would go a long way keeping things a bit cleaner.

 

[Furu]

Thanks for making feel better about my battery maintenance or lack thereof.
I infrequently check my no-maintenance batteries and find the acid level low because they are no maintenance right?
We have all gotten sloppy with battery care compared to 40 years ago and we should not be.
Thanks for the reminder