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Osage_Orange 
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: SW MO
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 Topic: Battery Question
Posted: 01 Jul 2010 at 9:06am |
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One of my truck batteries has reached the point where a white/yellowish gunk builds up on the positive terminal. Are there some products that can be applied to the terminal that will stop or slow down the buildup? As a younger ladd, I seem to remember there was some sort of a grease like substance that would do that.
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Why is there never time to do it right the first time, but always time to go back and fix it?
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RyanTN
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Stewart Co, TN
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Posted: 01 Jul 2010 at 9:51am |
Dielectric grease is what you are looking for. It's available at most auto parts stores.
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Steve in NJ
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Andover, NJ
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Posted: 01 Jul 2010 at 10:34am |
Check the charging system for a possible overcharging problem. When electrolite is active more than normal due to an overcharging problem, the electrolite creeps up the Battery terminal. If an overcharging problem does not exist, pick yourself up a Battery Terminal washer set from your local Napa store. These are treated to cut the acid's corrosion factor down to help keep the terminals clean. To work with the terminal protection washers, a film of Battery Terminal Gel around the terminals and clamps will also help to keep corrosion from developing. This Gel is a little bit better than general Dielectric grease because of its chemical formula to fight corrosion. 6 Volt Battery's are a little more prone to terminal corrosion than its 12V cousin's...
Steve@B&B
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Dusty MI
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Posted: 01 Jul 2010 at 10:46am |
Also mix some baking soda with water to clean the gunk with.
Dusty
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917 H, '48 G, '65 D-10 series III "Allis Express"
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Rick
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Posted: 01 Jul 2010 at 10:57am |
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Everyone has given some good advice on the subject. Another thing a guy can use is regular petroleum jelly...better known as vaseline. It works great,costs very little and doesn't allow any corrosion either...at least it never has for me. Rick
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Gerald J.
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Posted: 01 Jul 2010 at 11:22am |
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Baking soda in water is very good at neutralizing acid. But don't let ANY get into the battery. Often corrosion at the posts comes from a poor or missing seal at the post, more common with today's plastic battery cases. Baking soda going in that leak at the post will wreck that cell of the battery.
That's a good solution to wash the battery box and when it fizzes that shows its finding acid.
Gerald J.
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kip in cny
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Posted: 01 Jul 2010 at 11:29am |
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clean it off then just put wheel bearing grease or dieltric grease will work
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160 CA 920diesel 5020 HD-3
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Coke-in-MN
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Posted: 01 Jul 2010 at 11:39am |
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Also your cola drink poured over the corrosion will eliminate it, then rinse with water so you dont have sticky mess. Wipe battery top with dry cloth after this or even after using soda. The grease or pet-jelly keeps air from getting at acid to slow down corrosive effect.
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Faith isn't a jump in the dark. It is a walk in the light. Faith is not guessing; it is knowing something.
"Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful."
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Osage_Orange
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Posted: 01 Jul 2010 at 1:33pm |
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Thanks for all the feedback guys. This is a great forum.
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Why is there never time to do it right the first time, but always time to go back and fix it?
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wkpoor
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Posted: 01 Jul 2010 at 6:30pm |
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I have an electric golf cart with 6batts. All I do is wash them off with water from the hose once in a while. They always looks clean and new. Plain old dirt on top is what can drain a battery and start the buildup on the post. So a clean battery is all it takes stop the corrosion.
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Leonard
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Posted: 01 Jul 2010 at 9:11pm |
Another thing you can do is spray with silicone spray. We used to do this when I was a vehicle mechanic prior to taking my current job in the Air Force. The vehicles would sit for months on end and when the next service was due there was zero corrosion on either the terminals or clamps.
Leonard
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Rawleigh
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Posted: 02 Jul 2010 at 9:57am |
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The felt washers work good for me. As I understand it the seal around the post starts leaking acid gas. This is why the manufacturers don't recommend that you lift them by the terminals.
Edited by Rawleigh - 02 Jul 2010 at 9:59am
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