Battery posts / terminal and Vaseline.....

[Throckmorton]

I believe that corroded connectors are a waste of energy, but whether they work well enough is dependent on the application and the type of connector.

A dry connection "obviously" being better is just the immediate observation, true only for some cases. A Faston connection is designed to scrape away corrosion so you damn well better believe I think grease isn't going to matter at all for a connection like that.

EDIT: Wait, are we arguing or agreeing?

You think corroded connectors are a waste of energy so why don't you think the same of greased connectors? Grease is going to reduce the contact surface area which of course increases resistance and produces heat.

 

[Throckmorton]

Sounds like BS? Yes, I'm sure the world being round also sounded like BS a few hundred years ago too. When the electrons move across the top of the battery, they attach themselves to the penny and the corrosion happens to the penny, not the terminals. A penny is much cheaper than purchasing an Odyssey or Optima battery. Last I checked an Optima Yellow was around $240. I paid $75 for a 6 year, 36 month free replacement battery at Costco. Well, make the true cost $75.01 less tax.

I don't think there is any such thing as electrons attaching themselves to the penny. Electricity is a flow of electrons that requires a complete circuit. You can stop the flow but you can't capture electrons unless you're building up a static charge

 

[TakeNoPrisoners]

Sounds like BS? Yes, I'm sure the world being round also sounded like BS a few hundred years ago too. When the electrons move across the top of the battery, they attach themselves to the penny and the corrosion happens to the penny, not the terminals. A penny is much cheaper than purchasing an Odyssey or Optima battery. Last I checked an Optima Yellow was around $240. I paid $75 for a 6 year, 36 month free replacement battery at Costco. Well, make the true cost $75.01 less tax.

How are the electrons moving in the air from terminal to terminal? The voltage is not nearly high enough to cause the terminals to arc from that distance.

 

[phucheneh]

Whoa. Since when the hell was eHow an acceptable source?

Do you know what "dielectric" means?

LOL. The thread continues to degrade...I guess he was confusing it with the ever-popular 'electric grease.'

You think corroded connectors are a waste of energy so why don't you think the same of greased connectors? Grease is going to reduce the contact surface area which of course increases resistance and produces heat.

Corrosion is a hard build-up of oxides and whatever other junk that prevents good contact between clean metal surfaces.

Dielectric grease is not the same thing. Again, you may as well say air is actively adding resistance to your connections. Only difference being air doesn't seal out the above corrosion.

Above two people:

The electricity flows through small amount of electrolyte on the battery casing. Not the air. And yes, electroplating does exist; I just don't know if a penny would really do anything in this case.

 

[Howard]

You think corroded connectors are a waste of energy so why don't you think the same of greased connectors? Grease is going to reduce the contact surface area which of course increases resistance and produces heat.

As I said, it depends on the type of connector. Many connectors scrape right through grease and oil, and others can squeeze it out until metal-to-metal contact is made. Then the grease serves to waterproof and prevent corrosion.

 

[KentState]

I don't think there is any such thing as electrons attaching themselves to the penny. Electricity is a flow of electrons that requires a complete circuit. You can stop the flow but you can't capture electrons unless you're building up a static charge

Look up Galvanic anode. This was a pretty common thing on metal haul ships. Now they didn't use pennies, but it's the same principal. Zinc, which a penny is made of, is a common metal used.

 

[Howard]

Look up Galvanic anode. This was a pretty common thing on metal haul ships. Now they didn't use pennies, but it's the same principal. Zinc, which a penny is made of, is a common metal used.

Aren't they copper-plated steel nowadays?

EDIT: huh, have no idea where I heard that from

 

[Baked]

My current car has a Panasonic battery installed at Toyota car assembly line in Japan, going on 7 years strong. Never had a problem. And your battery died in 3 years? Shitty quality.

 

[AmdEmAll]

Whoa. Since when the hell was eHow an acceptable source?

Do you know what "dielectric" means?

I guess your right it is non-conductive.. Well whatever the hell it is, it works great at sealing electric connections and keeping corrosion out.

 

[Rifter]

Why would you use vasoline? it isnt conductive, i tend to use permatex copper never sieze on electrical connections as its very conductive and seals out air to prevent corrosion very well.

 

[Howard]

Why would you use vasoline? it isnt conductive, i tend to use permatex copper never sieze on electrical connections as its very conductive and seals out air to prevent corrosion very well.

Couldn't find an electrical resistivity for it.

 

[phucheneh]

Why would you use vasoline? it isnt conductive, i tend to use permatex copper never sieze on electrical connections as its very conductive and seals out air to prevent corrosion very well.

Hmm...thin, conductive grease for electrical connections...short circuit much?

 

[Rifter]

Hmm...thin, conductive grease for electrical connections...short circuit much?

Assuming you dont glob it on and it doesnt touch anything but the electrical connection that is not going to happen, obviously dont over do it.

 

[Rifter]

Couldn't find an electrical resistivity for it.

Its faily good it got actual copper flakes in it, my mechanic told me about it and he and his dad have been using it for over 40 years with no ill effects. I did that to all the battery connections on my old CRX that i owned for 7 years and there was zero corrosion 7 years later when i got rid of it.

 

[LTC8K6]

My current car has a Panasonic battery installed at Toyota car assembly line in Japan, going on 7 years strong. Never had a problem. And your battery died in 3 years? Shitty quality.

No, most likely it's the weather.

Hot climates and cold climates shorten lead acid battery life.

Mild climates are great for them.

 

[Ns1]

so pardon the obvious, is there a proven method to prevent corrosion around battery terminals?

 

[phucheneh]

so pardon the obvious, is there a proven method to prevent corrosion around battery terminals?

...other than all of those mentioned? (with the exception of the stupid antisieze one)

It's not too difficult. You're just creating a barrier around the terminals. I like the spray stuff that is like a slightly tacky paint because it makes the least mess.

 

[wirednuts]

vaseline should work fine. a thin coat on the battery posts is all you need. i suspect dielectric grease is thicker and holds up to high temperatures better, but thats probably the only difference.

you dont want conductive grease in your connectors. that defeats half the purpose of using the stuff.

 

[deadken]

so pardon the obvious, is there a proven method to prevent corrosion around battery terminals?

As mentioned, siliconing a penny about an inch away from each post will let the Zinc corrode first (sacrificial metal). Of course, periodic rinsing with a baking soda / water solution doesn't hurt.

 

[wirednuts]

i just use spray like this stuff- http://www.walmart.com/ip/22058255?a...l5=pla&veh=sem

its messy, it doesnt look amazing or anything when its applied, but it does a fantastic job. since it sprays on you can get it in all the little gaps around the terminals. it also comes off easily with degreaser. i just clean everything up really good with pb blaster, put the terminals on tight then spray over everything with the terminal spray. it will dry to a tacky feel, and it will not corrode.