Greasing battery terminals?

allmobile · Jun 13, 2001

Just a little note here. In my experience tractor battery terminals don't corrode like car batteries do, meaning they don't get the fuzzy kind of corrosion you are probably used to seeing. They tend to get a hard black corrosion that is just between the cable end and the battery post that you can't see unless you remove the cable. Like others have said, make sure the bat. post and cable end are bright and shiny. I personally don't like putting anything on my battery connections.

Brian

Knight9 · Jun 13, 2001

Thank you all for the tips and suggestions. I think I will leave the batter terminals "as is" for now (without grease or coating). I'll just ensure that when I do the regiment of greasing everything else up I take the time to examine the posts and ensure that everything still looks clean.

Thanks again.
Kevin

Keoke · Jun 13, 2001

Consider using the felt anti-acid washers (red & green) sold in automotive stores for car batteries. Sulphuric acid fumes seep upward between the post and the case causing a acid build up on the BOTTOM side of the cable terminal. These neutralizing washers are used to keep this problem in check. By the way, high quality batteries use an "O" ring to get a tight seal between case and battery post to control this. Thermal cycling makes it tough to get a good seal here without a pliable expansion seal. Grease or the spray stuff works great on terminal top.

regards,
george

Hawgee · Jun 13, 2001

Old trick was to use a genuine american penny with spit of gum near the terminals. When the copper penny attracked all the corrosion, you threw it away and did it again. Total cost. 2 cents. Lets not get into the discussion that the fed pays 7 and 1/2 cents just to stamp them.
Metal to metal being clean is most important. It is also nice to know that most tractor batterys are better ventelated and the gasses are carried away better than in the confines of a automobile. Once a year cleaning is good medicine. Specially for you eastern folks that want it in the early hours for the snow blower.

"What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered."
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

tsh3 · Jun 13, 2001

Knight9,
I use solder paste on battery terminals and any other electrical connections that might corrode. Been doing it for years and it works great. This was a tip from my Grandfather who was an electrician for the PRR. Said they coated all terminals that way on the train cars.

Steve

JOR_EL · Jun 13, 2001

Steve,

Thanks for the tip /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I don't know much about solder-paste. Any special type or brand to look for? where's the best place to find it?

Thanks again,

Larry

Rowski · Jun 13, 2001

part # for terminal protector spray a NAPA BK 765-1073

Derek

JonLeonard · Jun 13, 2001

There is a particular kind of grease that is "di-electric". It is conductive, so it helps make sure you have a good connection, as well as preventing corrosion.

I use it on all my cars and have never had any problems with it. Dont know how it would do in a place that would have alot more dirt than a cars engine compartment, so you will have to weigh the pros and cons before you decide.

wallyr · Jun 13, 2001

You hit the nail on the head with that grease I use it on all my battery and electric connections in my trucks, tractor and boat. I get very little corrosion or build up after coating the termanl connection with it