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How to keep your battery terminals clean

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7K views 3 replies 4 participants last post by  Cuda_jim 
#1 ·
for .02¢

Yes it's possible to achieve this for the meager cost of .02¢. All you have to do is glue a penny close to each terminal. The corrosion will go to the copper rather than the terminals..
 
#2 ·
I guess it would be ok to post that one can use a little mixture of baking soda and water to clean them with an old toothbrush, and then to flush them with water.

One may use a little di-electric grease on the fittings to resist corrosion too.
 
#3 ·
What Causes Battery Terminal Corrosion?
The major reason for car battery terminal corrosion is the sulfuric acid that exists inside them. Each of the lead acid cells in the car battery is sealed from above. Battery terminal corrosion can happen due to overflow of sulfuric acid on to them. Another reason can be a build up of moisture which can also cause corrosion.

The metal terminals get corroded and covered with compounds formed from corrosion. This increases the resistance of terminals, leading to a low performance battery. Progressive deposition of corrosive material, can have a drastic effect on the car battery's output, eventually leading to a dead battery due to low conduction. That is why it's essential that one learns about car battery terminal corrosion cleaning and prevention.

How to Stop Battery Terminal Corrosion
All the various ways in which you can prevent battery terminal corrosion, can be categorized into two fundamental categories. One is preventive maintenance and the others are clean up jobs that can prevent further damage. Let me discuss both ways here.

A word about safety before we go ahead. Make sure that you don not touch the corrosive material with your bare skin as it can be harmful. While performing the job, wear safety glasses and gloves.

Disconnect the negative terminal of the car battery followed by the positive. First let us have a look at the way you can clean up battery terminal corrosion that has already happened. All you need is some clean water, baking soda, a wire brush, petroleum jelly and rough pieces of cloth. Remove the battery casing and make it soak in a solution of warm water and baking soda. Then using a wire brush or a wet cloth, you can clean the corrosive build up. Next wash off the rest of the corrosion with baking soda solution. The acid and baking soda will react to produce salt and water. Make sure that you get it off the battery casing. Clean the terminals and battery casing dry after the cleaning job.

Now let us see a preventive measure that can stop this problem from cropping up. Apply petroleum jelly over the terminals or spray them with a silicon spray/automotive paint. Let it dry for sometime. This can effectively prevent corrosion, while ensuring that the conduction through them is unhindered. You can connect the terminals of the car battery back again after putting back the casing. Your car battery is as good as new again!
 
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