battery corrosion

[schneiderz]

Hey my battery seems to be getting a shit load of corrison on it. Does anyone know why. I have a few wires running to the positive terminal but none to the ground and both are covered in corrosion.

 

[4.0B2]

are the ends good? making good contact all way around?
alternator working good? battery up to full potential? no weak voltage or anything?

clean them good and see how long it takes for them to corrode again

 

[Mark_88]

Yeah, usually a loose wire and likely on the post itself...they should not move at all when tightened properly...

You might want to spray them with a silicone spray after you clean them up (spray the posts before you put the leads on) and cover them over with some plastic or rubber trim if they are exposed...

EDIT: Check also for a loose post...the posts on the battery (if you have them, lol) should not move either...if they do it's time for a new battery...and if you can't afford new go to a junk yard...I picked up a nearly new battery (Made in 2010) for $25...regular price is $125 or more...and it has worked flawlessly for over a year (meaning I bought it almost new from a junk yard)...

 

[rtg143]

A trick to cleaning the corrosion is to run water from a hose slowly on the posts while the engine is running. They clean off like new. It doesn't get the contacts clean but the outside very good.

 

[Heavyfire14]

vinigar and baking soda...

 

[rtg143]

vinigar and baking soda...

That works good if you don't run the engine but you'd be amazed at how just plain water does.

 

[Heavyfire14]

That works good if you don't run the engine but you'd be amazed at how just plain water does.

never tried it... last time i cleaned my terminals is cause my truck wouldnt start because of the corrsion, so i wouldnt have been able to try it anyways lol

 

[4x4junkie]

Terminal corrosion is a sign of acid leaking out and getting onto them.

Like Mark said, check that the posts are not loose at all, and that there are no cracks in the case around them.
Many batteries tend to leak or spew acid out the vents when jostled around a lot though (particularly when used offroad), which can then make its way over to the terminals... On these there isn't much you can do about it other than coat the terminals with some kind of anti-corrosion spray or gel. Switching to an AGM-type battery is typically the easiest way to solve that issue (though Delco's Voyager series deep-cycle batteries are excellent in that regard as well).