Battery corrosion

B W in MO · Jul 11, 2015

How do you stop battery corrosion on metal?

Geo-TH,In · Jul 11, 2015

Short answer is keep the battery acid or battery fumes from coming in contact with metal. I have a stainless steel holder on my Jubilee, but there are small signs of oxidation

I had a plastic battery case on my old boat. Perhaps a AGM battery produces less fumes. The delco batteries on my Buick and GMC were AGM batteries, commonly known as maintenance free batteries and there was no rust around my battery in car or truck. No terminal oxidation either.

So get a sealed battery.

Steve@Advance · Jul 11, 2015

I see two angles of attack.

Keep the area around the battery well protected with paint. Clean any corrosion away quickly, scrape, brush, blast down to bare metal and get some more paint on ASAP. Also keep the top of the battery clean by wiping with a paper towel or disposable rag. A dirty top battery is going to cause trouble, especially if there is a metal strap or frame hold down. Wet acid is conductive and will actually drain the battery.

Determine why acid is getting out of the battery. Is the battery healthy? A weak battery will boil acid out. If it has to be charged, jumped, or be brought back up by the alt/gen every time the engine is run, it will loose vapor and liquid that will attack metal. Also be sure the alt/gen is not over charging.

If the battery has a loose post, or if it is overfilled, it will leak out the top. I've found a battery used for off road or rough use will continually spill if the level is kept up to the "rings" under the caps. Best to let it seek it's own level, as long as the plates are covered.

Texasmark1 · Jul 11, 2015

Baking Soda neutralizes the Sulphuric Acid. Mix up a paste and spread it on. Let it sit and bubble for a few minutes....as long as you have time to wait, longer the better result, and hose it off. I used to put soda in the battery tray in my car to stop tray rust.

Main thing is to not overcharge your battery which boils it out through the vent in the cap, or use one of the newer sealed type that have a little different arrangement for venting and chemical arrangement. Using the red spray when finished helps to preserve it. My Silverado came from the factory with red spray on the terminals and my last Mercury outboard had it on the battery terminals in the engine also.

Russ from MN · Jul 11, 2015

modern maintenance-free batteries don't seem to gas as bad, an AGM not at all.

tractorguy2 · Jul 11, 2015

Buying a good quality battery will help. Stay away from discount store, farm supply store batteries. I repaint the battery try with each new battery. The worst 6v batteries are Interstate batteries. They will leave puddles on the floor.

buickanddeere · Jul 11, 2015

Over filling, over charging, too high temperatures or a failing cell will vent acid fumes and cause corrosion.

VicS · Jul 11, 2015

Google battery mfg. Interstate is not one of them. Just a brand.

Battery corrosion

B W in MO

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Geo-TH,In

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Steve@Advance

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Texasmark1

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Russ from MN

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tractorguy2

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buickanddeere

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VicS

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