Battery terminal

Jim Arm

Member
Going on 35 years with my 8N.
I don't use it as much as I used to, but am always amazed and pleased by how eager it seems to be get things done when I ask it to.
I have always disconnected both battery terminals at the end of a day's work. If I forget and don't fire it up for a while, it usually needs charging. There is a very small (and occasional) reading on a voltmeter indicating a draw.
So the question: after one of the periods of not using it, the postitve (ground) battery terminal becomes coated with a black substance that stops any current flow and prevents starting. Wire brushing the terminal and cable end solves it.
Any ideas as to how to stop this?
Thanks,
Jim Armstrong
Potter Valley, CA
 
(quoted from post at 10:07:32 04/26/16) Going on 35 years with my 8N.
I don't use it as much as I used to, but am always amazed and pleased by how eager it seems to be get things done when I ask it to.
I have always disconnected both battery terminals at the end of a day's work. If I forget and don't fire it up for a while, it usually needs charging. There is a very small (and occasional) reading on a voltmeter indicating a draw.
So the question: after one of the periods of not using it, the postitve (ground) battery terminal becomes coated with a black substance that stops any current flow and prevents starting. Wire brushing the terminal and cable end solves it.
Any ideas as to how to stop this?
Thanks,
Jim Armstrong
Potter Valley, CA

We use dialectric grease on our terminals like you would use on your spark plug boots, and haven't had any problems with bad contact or corrosion
 

My 8N sometimes sits for months without any use. I used to have to charge it once in a while. I finally put on one of the battery disconnect switches from Harbor Freight and it's always ready to go any time now.

Just a few turns of the green knob and it is disconnected. Works great.

image_12541.jpg
 
My dad taught me to put a dab of grease on a penny and put it a couple of inches from the post, The corrosion goes to the copper before the lead, change it out when gone, do it with all of my batterys.
 
" reading on a voltmeter indicating a draw."

Why not just fix that?

And having your battery set for extended periods of time w/o recharging it will greatly reduce battery life. Sulfation will begin after 30 days.

I use float chargers for two reasons: battery longevity and a sure start. Battery sulfation occurs at a specific rate at "X" temperature. Over time, sulfation reduces battery performance and eventually its effects are irreversible. Sulfation of batteries starts when specific gravity falls below 1.225 or voltage measures less than 12.4 for a 12v battery, or 6.2 for a 6 volt battery. Sulfation hardens on the battery plates reducing and eventually destroying the ability of the battery to generate current. Using a float charger significantly reduces sulfation.
75 Tips
 
(quoted from post at 10:59:42 04/26/16) My dad taught me to put a dab of grease on a penny and put it a couple of inches from the post, The corrosion goes to the copper before the lead, change it out when gone, do it with all of my batterys.

Sounds like a neat idea :) Will have to try sometime
 
explain this reading on a volt meter. volt meters are parallel devices. ammeters are serial devices. describe your readings.
 

I eliminated corrosion issues using dielectric grease are Tune up grease its the same thang... I put some around the base of the battery terminal were it meets the bat case, install the terminal and pain the terminal with the grease... I have done thousands it eliminated ME cleaning the terminals every time I service a customers vehicle. :wink:

I do like bat disconnects...

http://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/viewtopic.php?t=1267046&highlight=bat
 
I always coat my battery terminal cable with linseed oil to eliminate any sulfication and oxidation. Every couple years, I clean them with baking soda to neutralize any accumulation. On lawn mower batteries and generator, I remove them to the basement, and charge them with a tricale charger.
I clean the terminal and posts with a battery brush to remove any coating.
My batteries last a long time.
Charles Krammin
 
(quoted from post at 17:17:38 04/26/16) I always coat my battery terminal cable with linseed oil to eliminate any sulfication and oxidation. Every couple years, I clean them with baking soda to neutralize any accumulation. On lawn mower batteries and generator, I remove them to the basement, and charge them with a tricale charger.
I clean the terminal and posts with a battery brush to remove any coating.
My batteries last a long time.
Charles Krammin

A coating of plain old Vaseline also works.
 
Add a master switch and then the terminals can stay clean and tight and ready to go at the flip of a switch
 
Thanks for the replies; the email notification feature didn't work and I was feeling neglected until I logged in.
I check all my vehicles with voltmeter with one cable off and the leads between it and its terminal.
A reading means something is on or in contact and will drain the battery over a period of disuse. The source of the problem is not always easy or even possible to find. You can also use your tongue, but the meter is preferred.
That reading is inconsistent on the 8N and just taking off both terminals solves the discharge problem but not the build up of my mystery coating.
The problem may be unique to the current battery; I do not recall it with earlier ones.
I have to say vaseline sure sounds like a simple thing to try and I will start there.
 
(quoted from post at 10:35:12 04/27/16) Thanks for the replies; the email notification feature didn't work and I was feeling neglected until I logged in.
I check all my vehicles with voltmeter with one cable off and the leads between it and its terminal.
A reading means something is on or in contact and will drain the battery over a period of disuse. The source of the problem is not always easy or even possible to find. You can also use your tongue, but the meter is preferred.
That reading is inconsistent on the 8N and just taking off both terminals solves the discharge problem but not the build up of my mystery coating.
The problem may be unique to the current battery; I do not recall it with earlier ones.
I have to say vaseline sure sounds like a simple thing to try and I will start there.

Just to be sure...I meant to coat the terminal and clamp after the clamp is tightened down. Not for coating a bare terminal.

As far as a black substance developing with both leads off the battery I'd kind of think there is something wrong with that battery. On my part, I'd just go buy a new battery.
 
Jim I know exactly what your talking about. I have a few batteries that do the same thing. For those that are saying it is a corrosion it is not. No grease will help. The post can not even be shined up. It is black and starts from the inside out. Almost like the post is absorbing the acid. My batteries are pampered with battery maintainers all year long and stored in climate controlled buildings. Guess it comes down to junk batteries.
 

I have seen a few like that I had one today... Time will tell I put a new cable end on it and my highly recommended Dielectric grease... I never gave it much thought this one had brass terminals on it with those junk arse felt washes installed on the terminal that I always throw AWAY,,,I used lead replacements time will tell...

I do believe some bats leak around the post base that's why I try and seal them with my magic grease (not six lube)... So far it has worked for me :D
 
Glad to know other folks have experienced the same problem.
This battery is an AC Delco, with which I have had good luck in the past, but things do change.
 
From what I've gathered there are only a few companies that produce batteries for all the different brands. Just slap different stickers on them. We probably maintain about 10 batteries in various equipment and right now 3 of them are doing this. And 2 of them are 6volt batteries. And in the past we've had more 6 volt batteries do this then 12 volt. Not sure if thats a coincidence or not.
 
I finally Googled "battery post turns black" and got a huge number of hits, basically from forums for almost every make of vehicle.
They are all about the postitive terminal and all seem to identify the problem as lead oxide caused by the presence of hydrogen gas.
I have long known that the usual white/blue/green crumbly oxidization is from electrolyte leaking around the terminal, either positive or negative and the beginning of the end of the battery's life.
I still don't know why this particular battery has this problem when a 12V AC Delco on my '59 Dodge pickup, also disconnected for extended periods, does not.
I do find that vigorous wire brushing seems to restore conductivity and I guess that will be the solution until I wear the damn thing away.
I'll also try some battery spray I have.
 

Battery dope in a can will not resolve the issue. It may be temporary eye candy but that's all.. I gave up on any type of spray can remedy years ago. I have tried about all of them the issue would return. The worst of the bunch seam to be bats were folks use those felt washers. Once the washer naturalizes its a wick for the acid it makes it worst...

Why some are worst than others I don't know other than to say those that are a issue seam to always stay wet on top of the bat... GRRRRR...

Clean, neutralize then seal with Dielectric grease (DC) It will stay there and not absorb moisture are break down from the heat of the engine...

I have seen this with lead brass and copper so I will rule out it being a issue with the metal used. On the next bat try and find one that is vented on the side maybe it will not vent contamination on the top of the bat...
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top