Oily Battery

Steve@Advance · Dec 25, 2015

Twice in about the last 5 to 6 years I've had to replace the battery in the Bobcat skid steer. Both times
the battery failed after having hydraulic oil leak onto it.

First time it really got soaked. A steel line came in contact with the positive post and burned a hole in
it.

This last time a small leak developed in a hose and dripped oil on the battery, but it probably leaked a
long time before anyone said anything about it. This battery was about 2 years old, was starting fine until
it was pressure washed. Looking at the battery, it would have been difficult for much if any oil to have
actually gotten in the battery the way the top of the battery was designed and vented, but no way to really
know. The battery acted like it had a bad cell, you could charge it up, run it all day, but be dead the
next morning.

So, are batteries adversely affected by oil? Or was this just a coincidence? Anyone experienced this?

Thanks!

rrman61 · Dec 25, 2015

Oil won't dissipate or evaporate like water,so it becomes a conducter between positive and negative posts.It slowly drains the battery over time.The longer the oil stays there the worse it is.

RBoots · Dec 25, 2015

You're right, not a very good conductor, but a conductor nonetheless.

Ross

Janicholson · Dec 25, 2015

It could be that the battery just failed. Skid Steer use is pretty harsh in vibration and confinement. Oil (that I have seen is a non conductor of electricity, at 12v it would be minimal. Pressure washing could have also contributed to the issue. I would check foe a voltage draw when parked, to be sure it is not draining the battery. (which might be disguised if the battery is fresh) Jim

Janicholson · Dec 25, 2015

Some research: mineral engine oil has a breakdown voltage of about 18,000volts at .1666 inch gap. Jim

rrman61 · Dec 25, 2015

I did say a SLOW drain and over time it adds up or should I say subtracts.But you are right the vibration on some machines seem to shorten battery life.We have that problem on 1 piece of RR equipment called a tamper.

showcrop · Dec 25, 2015

I'll bet that it was more the contaminants that the oil was holding more than the oil itself.

Andy Martin · Dec 25, 2015

I hate pressure washing. Does all kinds of bad things.

guido · Dec 25, 2015

Hello Steve@Advanced,

The should be a law requiring proper use of a pressure washer. I have never
seen a single user that has a clue what a pressure washer can do! What about using a little baking soda and water to clean tbe batter top. If hydraulic oil was conductive it would make sense, shorting the battery across the posts?

Guido.

Jeff B. · Dec 25, 2015

I will add to this that oil collects dirt and grime that eventually creates a path from the positive to negative lead and drains the battery.

Ted in NE-OH · Dec 25, 2015

coincidence!

notjustair · Dec 25, 2015

I've replaced the batteries twice on a six year old skid steer. I think it's a nasty environment. Hotter than the gates of Hades in the summer and enough bouncing around to give a 10 year old kidney stones.

Oily Battery

Steve@Advance

Well-known Member

rrman61

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RBoots

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Janicholson

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Janicholson

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rrman61

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showcrop

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Andy Martin

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guido

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Jeff B.

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Ted in NE-OH

Well-known Member

notjustair

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