Corroded battery cable

[oldpilgrim]

I put grease on the post, put on the cable, tighten and then slather the whole thing with grease. If it can't get O2, it can't corrode.

 

[k0ua]

I have always used No-Ox-Id. For decades. No problems when used.. I put it on when the battery/clamps are new, and bright and shiny. If you do this, you will not have a corrosion problem.. I see there are many solutions to this and the key is covering the terminals so corrosion cannot start even in the presence of acid and acid fumes. The number one reason I use No-Ox-Id is that the price was right (free leftovers from commercial statiionary battery installations) and it seems to really work.

I have heard many mechanics say "I never use anything on them, and if there was supposed to be something on them, they would have come from the factory that way".. I say BS. I have decades of experience and I can assure you they need to be covered.

 

[JimRB]

My VW came from the factory with the felt rings. I can't say if the cables were greased up. That would require me to look.

When I was a kid the mechanic I watched after school would slather regular old grease on battery cables.

 

[jkarst]

Did you replace this plug? I'm having corrosion issues with the plug. Wondering if I could just take it out and have direct wire. I don't really see the need for a plug right there.

My tractor is 4 years old so not sure they would replace under warranty.

 

[RNeumann]

Second for Vaseline. Old trick from the aviation world. Other more expensive dedicated products also work well.

From the looks of your cable ends I vote replace. New cable first choice, new lead battery terminal with through bolt and new terminal lug soldered to the wire as a second choice.

With regards to fusible link wire and "how do you know" or "what does it look like". It looks like regular wire so it's hard to distinguish. Sometimes you can see something different printed on the insulation. In general it is made by reducing cable gauge and using different wire than what it is attached to. So again, sometimes and in general, you can tell by manipulating the wire as compared to what it is attached to. Also, in general, fusible link wire is located close to the power source (battery or alternator) and is 6"-12" long.

 

[oldpilgrim]

View attachment 490481Did you replace this plug? I'm having corrosion issues with the plug. Wondering if I could just take it out and have direct wire. I don't really see the need for a plug right there.

My tractor is 4 years old so not sure they would replace under warranty.

I removed that plug and bolted everything together. Can't remember just how right now, but it wasn't hard to do.

 

[oldpilgrim]

Second for Vaseline. Old trick from the aviation world. Other more expensive dedicated products also work well.

I put the felt washers on mine and slather regular grease over the post. Put the cable end on, tighten, and slather the whole thing with more grease. I have lots more grease around than Vaseline.

 

[Ford850]

I use Fluid Film on mine, since it creeps so well. I try to get the exposed copper cable covered too, so it can creep and protect well inside the insulation.

 

[jkarst]

I removed that plug and bolted everything together. Can't remember just how right now, but it wasn't hard to do.

Thanks oldpilgrim. I'm going to try to clean it again and see if that helps. Otherwise, I'll just remove the plug. Did you have to add wire? Or was it long enough to make it the battery?

 

[stuckmotor]

My remedy for terminal corrosion is to use terminal greese and felt rings simultaneously. The combination seemes to work.

 

[oldpilgrim]

Thanks oldpilgrim. I'm going to try to clean it again and see if that helps. Otherwise, I'll just remove the plug. Did you have to add wire? Or was it long enough to make it the battery?

no wire added. There was enough. As I remember, I broke the plastic off the piece that was on the wire, flattened the metal that was inside, drilled a hole and bolted it to the main terminal. It was a while ago so I can't remember the exact details.

 

[JerryK]

no wire added. There was enough. As I remember, I broke the plastic off the piece that was on the wire, flattened the metal that was inside, drilled a hole and bolted it to the main terminal. It was a while ago so I can't remember the exact details.

Just old and getting senile......

 

[jkarst]

no wire added. There was enough. As I remember, I broke the plastic off the piece that was on the wire, flattened the metal that was inside, drilled a hole and bolted it to the main terminal. It was a while ago so I can't remember the exact details.

Thanks again oldpilgrim. I'm going to try to clean as best I can but if I have problems again, will definitely go that route.

 

[oldpilgrim]

Just old and getting senile......

Do you know that old saying...it takes one to know one?

 

[JerryK]

Do you know that old saying...it takes one to know one?

I got invited into the Army in '66, so I am probably a little more decrepit than you.....

 

[oldpilgrim]

I got my greetings from the president in Nov '66, at 20 years, 3 months. Took my one step forward on Jan 15, '67.

 

[dickfoster]

I got invited into the Army in '66, so I am probably a little more decrepit than you.....

You are indeed a curmudgeon. I didn't join the AF until 67 and left in 74 but I crashed the party without an invitation.

 

[Petrol and Powder]

OK, old thread but I'll toss in my $0.02 worth.

If I'm starting with clean battery terminals and clean cable ends, I prefer to use the spray-on lacquer type sealants. The key is to spray the cable ends first on all sides and then after the sealant dries, wire brush the center section. After assembling the cable end to the battery terminal the entire unit is sprayed again. I've been using that technique for over 30 years and I've never had a problem.

If I'm starting with corroded cable ends, battery posts or both; I clean them the best I can and decide if I can use the spray-on sealant or revert to grease.
The problem with grease is that once you go down that road you can't go back.

 

[monkeyman9]

I now have to replace the battery terminal clamp on my 3016 after seeing how badly it's corroded. Going to try an aftermarket one after soldering a lug on the old battery cable. So what is the black plastic box and connector attached to the factory terminal? Is that just a connector or some type of fuse? The terminal side of it seems stuck on the terminal.

 

[jkarst]

I now have to replace the battery terminal clamp on my 3016 after seeing how badly it's corroded. Going to try an aftermarket one after soldering a lug on the old battery cable. So what is the black plastic box and connector attached to the factory terminal? Is that just a connector or some type of fuse? The terminal side of it seems stuck on the terminal.

As far as I recall, it was just a simple plug. I removed it and connected that wire directly to the battery. Haven't had any issues since then.