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.