Battery question?

[tuna_fisher]

I was just looking at how I want to run my wiring for my future solar panels, went to my battery compartment and noticed the pos. post was very black in color, I just cleaned them a couple of weeks ago when filling them with water, what would cause them to turn black like that, it's never done that before. There's nothing hooked to the post as my wires are on the threaded post with a wing nut.

[gitpicker2009]

actually, any basic spray paint can be used also. You just want to block oxygen from reaching the metals. I used to use vaseline like someone suggested, but it was too messy during later service. Clean the terminals/posts well, re connect, and then just spray paint. I paint one red and one black. Works like a charm.

[ticki2]

tuna fisher wrote:

ticki2 wrote:
Here is some interesting reading on the topic electrical connection compounds .

https://www.w8ji.com/dielectric_grease_vs_conductive_grease.htm

That was a lot of information on grease.How much of it I remember is questionable

Yeah , nothing is simple anymore . 🙂

[tuna_fisher]

ticki2 wrote:
Here is some interesting reading on the topic electrical connection compounds .

https://www.w8ji.com/dielectric_grease_vs_conductive_grease.htm

That was a lot of information on grease.How much of it I remember is questionable

[towpro]

I like stuff that drys. I think the NO Ox and other electrical insulator greases stay wet and attract Dirt and anything else that touches it (like bugs, cloths, hands, etc)

[ticki2]

Here is some interesting reading on the topic electrical connection compounds .

https://www.w8ji.com/dielectric_grease_vs_conductive_grease.htm

[wyocowboy00]

Anybody ever heard of "No Ox"? The old Western Electric installers used to use No Ox on every electrical connection they made.

[towpro]

I have a can of Dykem blueing I use to coat the terminals.

so far the can has lasted 30 years, including using it to lap some vales over the years 🙂

[TxGearhead]

Yes, stainless washers and stainless nylock nuts, no wingnuts.
I hear that grease is an insulator so don't put it on the post before the terminal. Use dielectric grease, or CRC battery terminal/post cleaner then CRC battery post protectant after connecting the terminal.

[theoldwizard1]

hedge wrote:
IMO, I'd replace the wingnuts with actual nuts that you can put a wrench on and tighten as well.

Excellent tip ! Make then stainless steel nylocks for a buck or 2 more !!

[HMS_Beagle]

Flooded lead acid batteries routinely outgas corrosive gasses. That's why everything close to them turns black or green. Overcharging them makes them outgas A LOT. One of the major advantages of a good AGM is that the outgassing is far less (none, in the best of them).

[Lwiddis]

Hedge, I agree. I want those nuts tighter than I can twist a wingnut.

[hedge]

IMO, I'd replace the wingnuts with actual nuts that you can put a wrench on and tighten as well.

[tuna_fisher]

Ahhh, never experienced that before. Must be the rain we've got in the desert, haven't had any to speak of in the last 5 years. Wow, moisture in the air, how novel.

[theoldwizard1]

It is some reaction with oxygen in the air.

After cleaning, liberally coat the posts and cable clamps with grease. Vaseline works well.