I was checking the electrolyte on my house battery (interstate srm24)And notice that the insulation on the wires have pulled back from the terminals and there is a lot of the green corrosion showing on the exposed bare wire. I know this leads to increased resistance etc... Bad, bad, bad.... How should I go about removing this corrosion without having to replace the wires?I was thinking of maybe taking a razor blade and cutting back the insulation and getting to clean wire, clean the corrosion as best I can and re-insulating with shrink wrap? I don't have enough cable to cut and put on new ends

What I have done is to cut of the corroded end strip to clean wire, slide shrink tape over wire then crimp and solder new terminal on, finally shrink the tape over the wire and terminal. I don't have crimping tools so I just used a modified vise grip to crimp and hold the terminal so solder can run in between the strands of copper.

It is nearly impossible to solder stranded wire after it has corroded. Just clean off the corrosion with baking sods and water, blow dry, then seal it as best you can. If resistance is found, replace the cable.Often corroded terminals is a sign of a failing battery, so have it tested.

If you have enough slack on the cables you can try bending them and can sometimes feel a crunchy feeling that might show how far into the cable the corrosion goes.But I agree, cut off the ends and then keep cutting to get to no corrosion then crimp new ends. You might end up with new cables though. If the cables are long and you have room you could cut back the bad pieces and use something like this to connect the new ends to: https://www.amazon.com/Fastronix-Stainless-Single-Ground-Junction/dp/B01LLZF7DW/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=battery+cable+wiring+stud&qid=1558965480&s=gateway&sr=8-5

Your next set of batteries should be Agm. You've neglected regular maintenance.

Battery corrosion? 's | Good Sam Community

11 Replies

IAMICHABOD
Explorer II
May 27, 2019
All the replies about cleaning are spot on,after they are cleaned up I would use This to coat the battery ends and put These under the cable ends,coat all with the battery protector.

In my Former Rental that was how it was done,I talked to the garage foreman about this when I saw it, He said that he had used this method for over 16 years that he worked there and had no corrosion problems with his fleet.If it is good enough for fleet and commercial use I think it is good for me.

When I replaced my batteries 3 years ago this is what I used,everything is corrosion free.
DFord
Explorer
May 27, 2019
After washing off everything with baking soda and rinsing it off well, cover the posts and cables with a layer of axle grease or dielectric grease to prevent corrosion from getting started. Works great!
ajriding
Explorer II
May 27, 2019
I have never had success restoring such a cable. I understand your desire to repair, but in the end is best to replace it. A fix is only temporary.

Fix the battery too. Either it need better ventilation, or need the corrosion addressed. Is it being over-charged?
Auto part store sells electric grease you can coat the cable and terminal with to help prevent corrosion.
dont use regular grease.
MrWizard
Moderator
May 27, 2019
Mix up warm water and baking soda

Put in throw away cup/container

Soak cable ends, in the soda water

Repeat until it no longer foams

Un-twist the cable end
Let soda water get inside between the cable strands

Rinse with clean water allow too dry before twisting tight and sealing them up
Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
May 27, 2019
wolfe10 wrote:
folivier wrote:
If the cables are long and you have room you could cut back the bad pieces and use something like this to connect the new ends to: https://www.amazon.com/Fastronix-Stainless-Single-Ground-Junction/dp/B01LLZF7DW/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=battery+cable+wiring+stud&qid=1558965480&s=gateway&sr=8-5

Link: https://www.amazon.com/Fastronix-Stainless-Single-Ground-Junction/dp/B01LLZF7DW/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=battery+cable+wiring+stud&qid=1558965480&s=gateway&sr=8-5

That’s what I would do, though I’m surprised that there isn’t a circuit breaker or fuse close to the battery.
wolfe10
Explorer
May 27, 2019
folivier wrote:
If the cables are long and you have room you could cut back the bad pieces and use something like this to connect the new ends to: https://www.amazon.com/Fastronix-Stainless-Single-Ground-Junction/dp/B01LLZF7DW/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=battery+cable+wiring+stud&qid=1558965480&s=gateway&sr=8-5

Link: https://www.amazon.com/Fastronix-Stainless-Single-Ground-Junction/dp/B01LLZF7DW/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=battery+cable+wiring+stud&qid=1558965480&s=gateway&sr=8-5
2oldman
Explorer II
May 27, 2019
Your next set of batteries should be Agm. You've neglected regular maintenance.
folivier
Explorer
May 27, 2019
If you have enough slack on the cables you can try bending them and can sometimes feel a crunchy feeling that might show how far into the cable the corrosion goes.
But I agree, cut off the ends and then keep cutting to get to no corrosion then crimp new ends. You might end up with new cables though. If the cables are long and you have room you could cut back the bad pieces and use something like this to connect the new ends to: https://www.amazon.com/Fastronix-Stainless-Single-Ground-Junction/dp/B01LLZF7DW/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=battery+cable+wiring+stud&qid=1558965480&s=gateway&sr=8-5
Dave_H_M
Explorer II
May 27, 2019
X2 on what Lynmor said.
Lynnmor
Explorer
May 27, 2019
It is nearly impossible to solder stranded wire after it has corroded. Just clean off the corrosion with baking sods and water, blow dry, then seal it as best you can. If resistance is found, replace the cable.

Often corroded terminals is a sign of a failing battery, so have it tested.