Battery terminal

Why doesn't really matter....

Every year or two, take all the cables off the batteries.
Spray the entire compartment (including the battery tops) with a mixture of baking soda and water.
Hose it all of good.
Hit all the cable terminals with a wire brush.
Put it all back together.
Fill the batteries with distilled water.

Mine are on my list for next weekend.

I read in Consumer Reports that AGMs are't economical as they cost 3 X asa much but only last 2 X as long. Maybe thats changed.

I need to get some mineral-oil it worked for Edison:B
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f258/mineral-oil-177333.html
and
http://www.fieldlines.com/index.php/topic,136159.0.html
http://thermoil.com/
JR

workhardplayharder wrote:
What causes the positive terminal to develop the powdery corrosion?

not 100% sure myself but any acid leakage will be partly to blame
I have not got a single solitary smidge on my 4 interstates in two years.Just looked at them today

My 6 golf cart battrys tend to get a little and what i found that solved that was dont chage then all the time and SPRAY WD 40 on the terminals.That works like a hotdahm.My Buddy could not beleive it when I showed him how well that works

This is one advantage of sealed batteries. Mine in my electric scooter are about 8 year old AGMs and terminals are still clean. I just put an AGM in my car last week. When my MH house batteries need replacing next time I will look for AGMs in there to.

I believe the sulfate has a negative charge so any that emerges from the battery could be attracted more to the positive terminal. Or the terminal seal itself could be broken and sulfate is creeping up out of the case. The white stuff is lead sulfate as the terminal corrodes.

Best to fill the battery to 1/8" to 1/4" below the split ring. Just touching is absolute max. Keep battery float voltages under 13.5 during storage. Temperature compensated is best. Older batteries gas more. An automatic equalization cycle (14.8+ volts) when fully charged may also cause additional gassing.

Use a spray on cleaner, lots and lots of water. lead sulfate is water soluble. Then reassemble and use a spray on protectant. The felt washer may help if some is pushing up around the terminal. Any decent autoparts store has the stuff you need.

Good luck

Leakage around the post.

humidity + dis-similar metals

Acid fumes