Batteries and corrosion

[r3n3]

Why do some batteries get corrosion on the terminals and others don't? I've noticed my cb doesn't get it. And several GM and Ford engines seem to always have it.

-rv

[Losiracer2]

Why do some batteries get corrosion on the terminals and others don't? I've noticed my cb doesn't get it. And several GM and Ford engines seem to always have it.

-rv

it also depends on the climate you live in. Batteries in AZ don't last normally longer than 2 yrs because its so hot and dry. If you live in a humid climate you might get different results.

[r3n3]

I'm talking about my second car a Ford Ranger. I clean it real good and clamp it down tight and it still get's it. I had a GM before that and the same thing. Just trying to figure out if maybe somethings causing it.

-rv

[Losiracer2]

I'm talking about my second car a Ford Ranger. I clean it real good and clamp it down tight and it still get's it. I had a GM before that and the same thing. Just trying to figure out if maybe somethings causing it.

-rv

you can try putting that red protective spray on there, it prevents corrosion. Or just buy an optima battery. I've never had any corrosion on mine and its still kicking strong even after 3 yrs in AZ.

[David Lundin]

After you clean it make sure you protect the terminals. Terminal grease does the trick.

Losiracer2: What's this red spray you speak of?

[randomcustoms2]

clean it real good with baking soda water and put grease on it all batterys do it u just have to keep it clean

[batever]

Covering the clamps and post with grease helps.

I think the corrosion is related to the fluid levels in the battery and the charging cycle. I forget why, but if the fluid level is too low then that white "crud" builds up on the charging plates in the battery and also on the post of the battery and the battery terminal. I don't know the chemistry of it, but it has to do with the chemical reaction that happens when the battery is producing electricity and when it is being charged, particularly when the top of the lead plates in the battery is exposed above the battery acid solution.

I don't think it is one make of car versus another, but rather, the older and weaker the battery, and the lower the fluid level in it, the more quickly corrosion tends to happen.

[evil_demon_01]

Old civics and accords are notorious for it here.
Its something to do with the gasses that are emitted from the cells during normal use, being attracted to the terminals.
Boiling hot water removes it instantly, then a coat of the red stuff (battery terminal corrosion protector) prevents it from coming back, or as above a coat of grease

That corrosion is really REALLY bad, it will eat right through the terminals, If you see it get rid of it asap and cover the terminals with protectant.

[rexload]

I also don't understand why it happens to some cars and not others.
I've never had ANY corrosion on any of my Hondas, even when the battery was getting weak. I did have some corrosion on my Saab in winter on a 6year old battery.
BUT I know a lot of people who get TONS of corrosion on 1year old batteries, it gets to the point where they can't start the car in winter until they clean it off.

[low-keyseg92]

I have noticed this being a problem when several different connections are used for stereo alam etc. Also a loose connection or just old terminals can cause this...I think that was said earlier in the post tho.

[batever]

I also don't understand why it happens to some cars and not others.
I've never had ANY corrosion on any of my Hondas, even when the battery was getting weak. I did have some corrosion on my Saab in winter on a 6year old battery.
BUT I know a lot of people who get TONS of corrosion on 1year old batteries, it gets to the point where they can't start the car in winter until they clean it off.

When the battery is weak, the charging cycle runs more constantly, and it's the charging cycle that causes the reaction to occur. Also, when the battery is weak it is probably also low on battery acid/electrolite solution. That's my theory.

If you have a poor terminal to battery connection, there may be some microscopic arcing of electricity between the posts and the terminals. Electricity arcing thru the air accellerates chemical reactions. With the presence of Hydrogen gas (offgassed from the battery, Oxygen from the air, you have two of the ingredients for sulfuric acid. There's sulfur in the battery case. That's the third ingredient. So maybe the crud buildup is caused by sulfuric acid forming on the lead posts and doing weird stuff to the lead.

I should probably Wikipedia this instead of theorizing.

[Backk InTheCB7]

I'll need to do this because it gets corrosion on it frequently.