My trailer serves as our guest home so it’s been parked for about 12 months. Always plugged in, fridge runs, etc. I filled the batteries monthly.I went out last month and 2 wires hooked up to one of the batteries had corroded through. One black one goes to the lift jack. The other red one goes ???As the trailer is plugged in the lights, fridge, etc still work. However I think the lift jack won’t (I haven’t tried it because the trailer is blocked in and the slide is out with a guest).Anyway - several questions.1. Where do I buy replacement wire ends so they can reattach to the battery?2. How do I connect the new wire ends to the old wires coming out of the lift jack and the ???3. How do I prevent this kind of corrosion in the future?These are 2 golf cart style batteries. They’re six years old and I should probably replace them anyway.I’m not sure if i can post them but I have photos of the corroded bits. If you need any other info please let me know, thanks for your help.

rvshrinker wrote:1. Where do I buy replacement wire ends so they can reattach to the battery? Big box store, auto store, Amazon, etc2. How do I connect the new wire ends to the old wires coming out of the lift jack and the ??? Butt connectors, solder, etc3. How do I prevent this kind of corrosion in the future? Flooded batteries corrode. Try AGM, Li etc

6 Years Depending on care and feeding may have 2-5 years leftBattery or starter cables from your local auto store are a good choice where you can use them.. If they are too big the same store has terminal ends.

apply vaseline to bare connections, will prevent corrosion

I use battery terminal spray which helps. Load check the batteries to determine their condition. New batteries are less prone to corrode. AGM batteries are flooded but they are sealed inside. If they start leaking they are toast. I know that the battery monitor shunt is exposed to corrosion in the following picture but for me replacing it when needed is the best option. So far so good and it's now about 10 years old.

A picture would be very helpful so we can see the type and size of connectors. But in the interim take the corroded wire ends to any home improvement store or auto parts store or even Walmart. In the electrical aisle find the replacement connectors. Also they will have small spools of wire if needed to extend the existing.

wires to battery corroded through | Good Sam Community

CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Sep 15, 2023
rvshrinker wrote:

1. Where do I buy replacement wire ends so they can reattach to the battery? Big box store, auto store, Amazon, etc

2. How do I connect the new wire ends to the old wires coming out of the lift jack and the ??? Butt connectors, solder, etc

3. How do I prevent this kind of corrosion in the future? Flooded batteries corrode. Try AGM, Li etc
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Sep 15, 2023
6 Years Depending on care and feeding may have 2-5 years left

Battery or starter cables from your local auto store are a good choice where you can use them.. If they are too big the same store has terminal ends.
Gary45
Explorer
Sep 15, 2023
apply vaseline to bare connections, will prevent corrosion
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Sep 15, 2023
I use battery terminal spray which helps. Load check the batteries to determine their condition. New batteries are less prone to corrode.

AGM batteries are flooded but they are sealed inside. If they start leaking they are toast. I know that the battery monitor shunt is exposed to corrosion in the following picture but for me replacing it when needed is the best option. So far so good and it's now about 10 years old.
opnspaces
Navigator II
Sep 15, 2023
A picture would be very helpful so we can see the type and size of connectors.

But in the interim take the corroded wire ends to any home improvement store or auto parts store or even Walmart. In the electrical aisle find the replacement connectors. Also they will have small spools of wire if needed to extend the existing.
MrWizard
Moderator
Sep 15, 2023
The corrosion came from out gassing, flooded batteries on constant charge in hot weather are going to outgas, which is why you are adding water every month , its good you check them and fill them, you might consider a disconnect switch for the batteries, and let the power converter supply the trailer, once a month connect the batteries for 24 hours for Top Up,
Keep the batteries in reserve for power outage situations, this will prevent corrosion and increase battery life ,
I like AGM batteries, they don't out gas under normal use, they are valve relieved, they will outgas if over charged or overheated,
rvshrinker
Explorer III
Sep 17, 2023
so first let me fix these wires so my liftjack works

there's no way to tell how much life is left on these batteries, right? I'd hate to be somewhere and have them die on me. We don't live in a hot climate but the first few years I didn't care for them as well and they dried once and completely discharged once or twice.
opnspaces
Navigator II
Sep 17, 2023
You are running on borrowed time if you are saying that you are still using the same batteries that dried out. If you only go to full hookup sites then don't worry about it and keep camping. If you regularly boondock then replace the damaged batteries and move on with life.

Costco and Sams Club have the best battery prices.
rvshrinker
Explorer III
Sep 17, 2023
yes i agree

ok what gauge wire do you think the positive and negative are?
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Sep 17, 2023
About the right gauge. :@

OK Measure the copper diameter and look up the gauge. :B