Help with Battery Terminal corrosion and why

[Blueboat]

Maybe some one could help, my battery cables corroded and broke off the battery clamps on my Jeep, lots of green corrosion around the cable clamps (terminals) and cables. 2 things 1 I installed a wench on the front of my jeep and hooked the cables to the end of the bolts that go through the clamps that go around the battery posts. 2 nd I tow my Jeep behind my dodge pick up with the camper on and the jeep steering column will only unlock the steering wheel if the ignition is in the run position so I can tow the Jeep.

[SoCalDesertRid1]

On the towing issue, when I flat tow my Ranger on the tow bar, I disconnect the battery, since it also needs the key in the run position to keep the steering column from locking.

I use a seperate, portable towing light system that connects directly to the truck I tow the Ranger with, so the Ranger does not need any battery power going to it's own lights while being towed.

[DaButcher]

A old school trick that works good with mild cases of corrosion is to silicone pennies to the top of the battery. Corrosion will take the path of least resistance. I had success with this method on my old 99 F250 that had corrosion eating the battery hold downs.

[WyoTraveler]

I would cleanbthe terminals well. I use wire plumbing brush they use for copper pipe. Then use electrical grease on connectors.

[Sloop_Smitten]

Adding on to what Donn offered, acid corrosion is almost always related to outgassing while charging due to micro-fissures around the cell caps and battery posts caused by vibration over time or, in the usual case with a Jeep, due to excessive vibrations due to off road use. You can reduce it by rubbing some grease on the post, and around the post, but in the long run rough use, or time, will eventually result in microfissures leading to an accumulation of corrosion. This is why older batteries corrode more than newer batteries. To me the presence of excessive corrosion is a tell-tale sign the battery is nearing end-of-life.

[donn0128]

Corrosion is always caused by battery acid. Whether by direct contact or by battery off gassing. IF you have that much damage, then your battery is discharging really heavy amp loads. In other words boiling the liquid as it is discharging. To help prevent damage in the future, apply a liberal amount of grease when you put things together.