Lots of battery corrosion- HELP!

[teksavy]

Hi:

I'm hoping the folks here could help me solve my problem.

Ever since I have had my toy hauler, I have had problems with battery terminal corrision. I assume this was being caused by outgassing from my two deep cycle interstate 6v batteries wired in series.

I used to keep my RV plugged into a 110V outlet to keep the batteries topped up with the internal charger/inverter built into the RV.

After talking to my local battery supplier he suggested the batteries are being over charged by the internal charger and I should purchase a NOCO Genius G3500 "Smart charger" since it will turn completely off and float charge to keep from overcharging the batteries.

Well the picture below is the result of having this charger on my batteries for 6 months. Note the completely eaten away battery charger clips.



How do I prevent this and how do I properly keep my batteries maintained?

Thank you!

-Ed

[homedad]

I've used both CTEK and Battery Minder maintainers for about 12 years. They both do an excellent job of keeping my 2x6v and 12v batteries alive for many years beyond warranty if I keep the water level up. However, I get the same corrosion and seem to have to replace my clamps every year on the 2x6v rv batteries. Maybe try to coat the clamps with some sort of grease or something to keep the off gassing of the sulphuric acid away from the metal.

[RJsfishin]

If you been having a long term corrosion problem, I'd bet your battery(s) have a problem.
But my advice is,......if possible, don't connect anything directly to the battery,.....except for very short term. Any dissimilar metals are inviting corrosion if near the batt vents.

[doughere]

I think you need to start over.

Is your internal converter a good 3 stage converter; it should go to a final float output voltage of 13.2 even if there are some small parasitic drains, if not, fix or replace with a good converter (I have a PD9260, there are others that operate essentially the same).

Clean all the terminals with baking soda (don't let any get into the cells), reinstall all the wiring, and coat with dielectric grease (any automotive store will have). Some use the anit-corrosion washers, I don't think they are necessary.

My 6 year old GC's need water only once or twice a year, and the terminals are nice and clean.

Doug

[Shadow_Catcher]

I do not have the problem as I have a Lifeline AGM which does not out gas (much), and on the tow vehicle I have the terminals coated in dielectric grease. Use the anti corrosion washers from the auto supply after neutralizing with baking soda, replace the clamps with a couple of copper ring terminals.
As suggested have the battery tested and monitor the battery charger. You should not have that much out-gassing with a correctly working charger.

[Lynnmor]

The corrosion could be the result of the batteries being in poor condition. Have them tested. You can't just go by age as sometimes even new batteries are defective.

[Almot]

I see corroded crocodile clamps, not battery terminals. Quality of Chinese metal on terminals is getting worse and worse, I usually see corrosion after a few weeks. In fact, this is not even a Chinese metal - this is our metal, they have to buy all raw materials, and to spread the profit margin they use just enough raw material per item to keep a shiny look until it sells. Another benefit for manufacturer is that you'll buy a new item sooner 🙂

[Old-Biscuit]

Parasitic draw(s) causing battery drain which causes increased charging......so the 'Smart Charger' probably wasn't going into float mode much.

Need to hunt down the parasitic draws and isolate them.

Hopefully you are keeping up on battery water levels.
And check each cell with a hydrometer making sure you don't have a weak/dead cell.