Battery Corrosion Prevention

[gpd955]

Replaced the batteries on the boat last week and after wondering why I had power issues after reconnection, I noticed the the underside of the battery cable terminals were very corroded. Cleaned them off and all worked well.

I put battery terminal pads on each of the terminals and was wondering if anyone is using anything else to help prevent/slow down corrosion.

Any suggestions?

 

[Steve Dion]

AGM or Gel batteries will eliminate the problem (at a large cost).

 

[Buck420]

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=11300&BASE

OR
You can buy some of this at your local auto parts store and apply it to your battery terminals (and other wire terminals)
http://www.amazon.com/PERMATEX-DIELECTRIC-GREASE-22058/dp/B002KR5YN4

 

[JoeWhite]

Corrosion occurs due to exposure to oxygen. For many ears I have used the same petroleum jelly that is used on the through hull depth and knot-meters to keep the O rings soft and water proof. I also apply them on the battery terminals of my cars and the now the boat. It will always remain clean and shiny.

 

[seadaddler]

Spray Lube

I spray any kind of spray lube all over the terminal before and after installing them on all my battery things like car,gulf cart and anything with batteries,works great.
Nick

 

[FourPoints]

this is what I use http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...rade-Di-Electric-grease?itemIdentifier=348174

I put it on any electricial connection that I make.

 

[Dan Hill]

Battery terminal corrosion is caused by the gases coming out of any vented lead-acid battery. It collects on the terminals and is concentrated by evaporation of the water in the battery acid. You will also notice more corrosion on the positive side, this is caused by magnetic attraction of the gases to that side on the battery. The only prevention is to place a barrier between the gases and the terminals in the form of greases, spray protective coatings or paint. All of these will eventually fail as a barrier due to the acids involved so the best practice is to apply more when needed. PM = preventive maintenance, key word is preventive. Happy Sailing!!

 

[Raftco]

I use "OX Gaurd", buy it at my local hardware store and it works great on any battery terminals or electrical connections. Here it is on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Gardner-Bender-OX-400N-Anti-Oxidant-Compound/dp/B000W3IOBC

 

[catsailor]

Practical Sailor did a 1-year salt chamber test on a number of corrosion preventatives, including one very similar to the Gardner/Bender product (the Ideal equivalent). The winner was a very water proof, very thick product called No-Oxid. The stickier the product, the better it did. Thus, heavy terminal grease is best.

 

[seadaddler]

Spray

All very good but the spray lubes work best for me some heavy lube spray in Marine stores are great for battery terminals and the connections to the terminals and cables it get all over the parts,has been working for me for years.
I do use other less heavy lube on wires electrical panels like tested in Practical sailor and corrision X works great.
Nick