Greasing battery terminals?

[Knight9]

The manual for the B2410 says to use regular multi-purpose grease to grease the battery terminals during the "greasing portion" of the tractor checkup. Being a complete tractor rookie....I have a few questions about this. First, is this done just to "weather-proof" the battery connections? Second, can you really just use regular grease or should you really use grease designed for that (I found some searching the internet).

Thanks,
Kevin

 

[flomanno]

Kevin ... I think CLEANING is a better bet than greasing. Making good electrical contact is needed to keep the battery properly charged, and gease is not going to help here. Although it might help in preventing any chemical reaction with air, the contact between cables and battery terminals is what's important.

BTW, not trying to be cute, but put any grease on after connectng the cables to the battery.

 

[Knight9]

Frank,

What does your Kubota manual say?? Does yours tell you to grease the terminals like mine does? I must say I thought it rather odd...but as I said I'm a real rookie here!

Thanks,
Kevin

 

[GlueGuy]

I honestly haven't looked at the manual in that particular regard. /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif That said. The way that I've always dealt with battery terminals is a three step process: First, clean the terminals until the mating surfaces are clean and shiny. Second, connect and snug up the terminals, but don't put too much torque on the battery posts because you can crack the internal connections. Last, put some sort of corrosion protection over the mated terminal/post. I don't use grease for this last step, but usually one of the automotive battery terminal protectants. The stuff I get is in a little spray can, and colors the terminals red. The idea is to keep any acid vapor from starting corrosion on the terminals and/or posts.

The GlueGuy

 

[RobS]

Grease on battery terminals is a common way to prevent corrosion. The grease keeps the oxygen away from the metals (battery posts and cable ends). Battery acid and fumes greatly speed up the corrosion.

Best bet is to thoroughly clean the posts and cables, assemble then apply a light coating of grease to all the exposed metal /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Knight9]

The tractor is brand new, so the terminals are still bright and shiny and all is snug and clean. Seems like a shame to "dirty it all up" with grease! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Kevin

 

[Rowski]

Kevin,

I would keep then clean like they are now and put on some of the spray on terminal protector like Glue Guy mentioned. I use both ways (spray on protector or grease) at work. The grease is quick and doesn't have any over spray. But the termianl protector spray looks better. On my tractor I am going to use the spray because the battery sits in front of the radiator. Grease will attract dirt and grass.

A note: If you have an electrical problem (starting, charging etc.) in the futrue and the terminals are coated with grease. Be careful, the terminal may look perfect on the outside but between the terminal and clamp could have gotten a poor connection over time. I have found this out many times with grease coated connections on a battery. Doesn't seem to happen (as much) with terminal protection spray.

As mentioned by others, never apply grease or spray protector before making the connection.

Derek

 

[StoneHeartFarm]

Derek,

Got a brand name on that spray? I've got some spray on plastic, but I think its different than what you guys are talking about.

SHF

 

[frank_f15]

kevin: i know u want to do everything just perfect, but as long as the terminals are clean, just a light coating of vasiline on connections will be fine. WHEN IS THE LAST TIME U WORRIED ABOUT THE BATTERY CONNECTIONS ON YOUR CAR?/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif relax, and have fun playing(working) with your tractor.

 

[Rowski]

SHF

It is Balkamp (NAPA) brand. I'm sure there are other brand names out there. I have the part # at work. I'll post it tomorrow at lunch time. This stuff sprays on like paint, the directions actually tell you to give a few coats. Napa also has terminal cleaner that cleans the oxidized terminals. It sprays on and looks like yellow shaving cream, if it turns red it is "cleaning".

Derek