Battery Terminal question
Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=171960
Printed Date: 16 Dec 2025 at 1:53pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Battery Terminal question
Posted By: Ken McGregor
Subject: Battery Terminal question
Date Posted: 12 Jun 2020 at 9:42am
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I am referring to my WD45 with the 6 volt battery. I have cleaned repeatedly the negative terminal of the white/blue sulphurous (sp?) corrosion but my question is about the positive (ground) terminal. I have to clean it every month or so and actually scrape the black varnish-like stuff off the terminal. It gets so the current won't be strong enough to start the tractor but after cleaning and polishing both ends, it starts first flip. My question is "What is this black corrosion stuff and is there any way to keep it off?" I am going to put on a new ground strap to see if the new clamp will give a better contact. I have heard of Vaseline or gun grease being put on the terminal/clamp to keep the air away from the terminal. Is there anything else that would work better? I should add that the grounding screw in the dash is polished up and clean as well. All thoughts welcome. In running these (I also have a WD) old girls for 60+ years, I haven't got all the answers yet;>(( regards, Ken McGregor
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Replies:
Posted By: Tbone95
Date Posted: 12 Jun 2020 at 9:54am
| I bought a spray can of stuff that comes out purple and tacky that's a terminal protectant. I can't remember the name of it off hand. But yeah, the key is to keep the air off it. 6V systems are more finicky to the resistance caused by poor connections than 12V, so cleaning becomes all the more frequent and necessary. |
Posted By: AMDG
Date Posted: 12 Jun 2020 at 11:38am
 Works well... ------------- Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam |
Posted By: SteveM C/IL
Date Posted: 12 Jun 2020 at 12:04pm
| The problem is caused by battery gasses. Don't think anyone makes a sealed 6V. I hate vent caps on batteries. |
Posted By: jaybmiller
Date Posted: 12 Jun 2020 at 1:56pm
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gotta think 'outside the box'... https://www.batterystuff.com/batteries/golf-cart-batteries/6-volt-deep-cycle-sealed-golf-cart-batteries/" rel="nofollow - https://www.batterystuff.com/batteries/golf-cart-batteries/6-volt-deep-cycle-sealed-golf-cart-batteries/ I know, they ain't cheap !!! but, maybe check the local golfcourse 'cart shop' for a used one... You don't need a zillion amps..... I used Gates SLA 6 volt batteries for my energy control systems. 2 of them in parallel would start a real Mini ! The batteries were used on nuke powered subs.... ------------- 3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112 Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor) Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water |
Posted By: Joe(TX)
Date Posted: 12 Jun 2020 at 3:20pm
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Buy a tube of dielectric grease at the auto parts store. ------------- 1970 190XT, 1973 200, 1962 D-19 Diesel, 1979 7010, 1957 WD45, 1950 WD, 1961 D17, Speed Patrol, D14, All crop 66 big bin, 180 diesel, 1970 170 diesel, FP80 forklift. Gleaner A |
Posted By: Gerald J.
Date Posted: 12 Jun 2020 at 7:36pm
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Fabric dielectric battery post washers can help seal the battery posts. The lack of post seal to the bop plastic of the battery is probably what is causing the corrosion. Gerald J. |
Posted By: Boss Man
Date Posted: 12 Jun 2020 at 7:42pm
| I've all ways put the post washer's on mine and haven't had much of a problem. Another old timer trick is put baking soda across the top of the battery and leave it to neutralize the vented acid |
Posted By: john(MI)
Date Posted: 12 Jun 2020 at 8:57pm
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The black build up on the ground cable is caused by a bad ground. Clean where the ground cable is connected. If it comes back, move the ground to a different location. You also need the larger cables for the 6v system. If you have good cables and connections you shouldn't need to clean them more than once a year. ------------- D14, D17, 5020, 612H, CASE 446 |
Posted By: ac45dave
Date Posted: 12 Jun 2020 at 9:08pm
Believe it or not this is what I have used for many years.Mac disc brake quiet, part # MAC 1064 from napa.It looks and smells like the old Permatex red high tack gasket sealer that I used for this purpose for years before.I use it on all my batteries 6 and 12 volt, works great!! 
------------- 54 wd-45gas ; 56 wd-45d N/F w/fact p/s ; 63 d-17 sIII N/F gas ; 60 D14 N/F ; 67 d-17 sIV N/F gas ; 63D15 sII W/F; 39rc#667 ; 2021 massey 4710 fwa ; gravely 2 wheel tractors |
Posted By: BigGuy1000
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2020 at 5:34pm
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I use Battery Terminal Protector spray can from Napa or Carquest or Farm&Fleet after cleaning the cable ends, bolts, etc well. Get the correct flat 10 inch braided ground cable with a new bolt at clean ground to tractor at left rear of battery box. Connect short round fat cable from the starter switch to - side of battery also. The flat cable terminal will not fit down on the + terminal properly until you open it up just a little with a large screwdriver on top of a vise. Get the felt battery washers and put them on first, red or large hole on +, green to - . The clamp on the - terminal will need to be tightened lots till closed well to get it tight on the battery terminal. When everything is tight, spray the tops of the terminals and also the sides, so that some spray gets under the sides and ends of the clamps. My 1951 WD(6V positive ground) used to have this same problem, after doing as above it has not had any problems with terminals for many years! Optima does make an automotive type of sealed SLA 6 volt battery, very expensive, about $200. |