Battery Terminal Corrosion

[3Ts]

I check my equipment periodically, but this surprised me! The battery is less than 3 years old and I check electrolyte levels every time I change engine oil. There were some signs of corrosion beginning about 2 months ago, so what is causing this? I have the felt washers on the terminals and the red battery spray coating as well. I don't have any problems with the electrical system and it starts just fine. The corrosion is on the positive terminal primarily. There is also some on the battery holddown and very little on the negative terminal. Over the last 6 months there have been many 3 mile trips - about 4 per week, but at least once a week into town which is 30+ minutes and I don't see an issue with the charging system (or maybe I missed it?)

This is of an 2012 F250 diesel with 2 batteries, the other one is not nearly as bad. Any ideas as to what is causing this and what I can do to stop it? My searches on the internet indicate that it is probably a failed seal around the post.

 

[YLee Kioti]

This is typical of out gassing. It will not stop.
Keep an eye on it and keep using baking soda and water solution to wash it.
Then replace with new felt washers and respray with the red protectant.

 

[drssg]

Based on my limited experience, I recommend finding a good quality replacement for the battery.

On my tractor, the original battery never had corrosion problems. When it needed replacement, I bought something cheap at TSC. It only lasted a couple of years, and I had chronic issues with corrosion. I replaced it with an Optima, and I’ve had no problems for several years.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Amazing. You do everything you should and can, exactly as I do, and I don't generally have a problem. One thing I do though, in addition is take some very heavy Epoxy Filled heatshrink and put it form fitted over the hold down bracket, so the positive terminal has nothing to leak current to, if there is moisture there. It looks nicer too as the paint never lasts long on any battery bracket, and paint wouldn't last two weeks.

 

[PILOON]

The old trick for terminal corrosion was to dab Vaseline on the terminals.
Today they sell specialized products 4 that.

 

[Industrial Toys]

And he said he sprayed the RED goop on them.

 

[RNeumann]

You don’t specify the type of battery but I can assume from your comments it is a non sealed lead acid battery. Any non dealer lead acid will tend to “leak” or “seep” battery acid as you bounce around in the tractor. It’s the nature of the battery design in conjunction with the tractor itself.

Once a little acid is out of the battery it’s difficult to wash away. You will need to neutralize anything the acid has come in contact with.

I’d recommend replacing the battery with a sealed lead acid at a minimum and and AGM would be better- but not necessary. Neutralize everything around the battery so the acid is no longer causing damage. Repaint anything with damage. Then coat the battery posts and lugs with Vaseline (as mentioned above).

As a part of your routine maintenance (which it sounds like you have a good schedule) neutralize the battery and surrounding area with a home made (baking soda and water) or commercially purchased product.

 

[3Ts]

I forgot to attach a picture of the corrosion. This is the only terminal out of 4 showing corrosion (qty of 2 batteries in the vehicle). So I'll be replacing the battery tomorrow. The holddowns are corroding as well.

 

[Industrial Toys]

And that is exactly why I do my hold downs the way I described. That's nasty! Is it possible, some batteries just develope cracks around the terminals?

You said you check the fluid levels. You don't over fill them by chance?

 

[3Ts]

One thing I do though, in addition is take some very heavy Epoxy Filled heatshrink and put it form fitted over the hold down bracket, so the positive terminal has nothing to leak current to, if there is moisture there.

I hadn't thought of doing something like that. I'll have to get a different holddown bracket since the current ones are "U" shaped.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have done it on formed ones. The large (for underground communications service) heat shrink assumes the shape. The bolts get poked (driled) through the heatshrink and I usually put small heatshrink on the bolts too.

 

[newbury]

<snip> You don't over fill them by chance?

Or FILL them when cold and then the water expands when the battery gets hot.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I was headed out that way, so I thought I would take a picture of my Mule battery. I have done others simularly with good results.

Heavy Black Epoxy filled Heatshrink on the bracket and smaller red heatshrink on the bolts that came from some Ham flea market in Rochester, originally from a Naval Yard.

I did not spray those terminals as I don't want them to attract dirt and the felt washers seem to be doing their job. Battery is maybe four or five years old.

 

[3Ts]

You said you check the fluid levels. You don't over fill them by chance?

Or FILL them when cold and then the water expands when the battery gets hot.

No, just to the bottom of the ring. I normally check everything when it's around 70*. I'm old enough that I don't have to work in the heat or cold anymore. Besides, I now have a garage that is attached to the house and has moderated temperatures.

 

[3Ts]

I see what you mean with the heatshrink. I'll have to see if I can get something big enough. I do have some silicone tape that adheres to itself and is used to seal underground electrical splices. I'll have to try that if I can't get big enuf heatshrink.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Maybe E-Bay for the heatshrink. I am a little unclear about water level. I thought just at the ring was too high and it should be just covering the plates. Somewhere inbetween the plates and bottom of the ring. The acid would have less tendency to push up the tube, I would think.

 

[robbyr]

Have two batteries on my 2012 Dodge that don’t do that. However, also had a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix that did. I either poured Coke or baking soda and water on it frequently. Still kept doing it.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Have you checked your charging system to make sure you're not overcharging those batteries? That much corrosion seems to me it's indicating way above normal out gassing. Either bad battery, or overcharging (cooking) is what I'm thinking. And my gas powered '12 F-250 doesn't do any of that. It's a single battery setup, and I just put in a new AGM battery last winter when my original OEM Ford battery died.

Random thought added...

Are you *sure* you're getting all the old corrosion off completely before you put on the new felt rings and spray the protectant on the posts? That spray will only work if the posts and cable terminals are completely clean first. There are spray foam cleaners you can use first, to kill the chemical reaction going on, and get all the corrosion off, before you spray the protectant on.

 

[3Ts]

Are you *sure* you're getting all the old corrosion off completely before you put on the new felt rings and spray the protectant on the posts? That spray will only work if the posts and cable terminals are completely clean first. There are spray foam cleaners you can use first, to kill the chemical reaction going on, and get all the corrosion off, before you spray the protectant on.

First time this has happened on this truck and on only one of the two batteries. I plan to be sure it's clean down to bare copper. I've got a toothbrush small brass brushes and sandpaper ready as soon as I get a replacement battery this morning.

 

[tallyho8]

First time this has happened on this truck and on only one of the two batteries. I plan to be sure it's clean down to bare copper. I've got a toothbrush small brass brushes and sandpaper ready as soon as I get a replacement battery this morning.

I've been told that it is recommended to change both batteries at once with the same kind or they won't charge properly.