VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Electrical - 6 volt battery corrosion

This may have been discussed before, but my search didn't find it. I noticed that my '31's battery terminals have just started to develop some corrosion. I haven't had to deal with this problem for several years, because I have been using sealed batteries in my other cars. In the past I coated the terminals with chassis grease, and it seemed to help. I was wondering if anyone has a better approach. I have heard that Vasoline is another solution. Is there some new-fangled chemical or coating that is a sure-fire cure?
Thanks,
Sid

Sid,
You can purchase some red and green felt rings at the local auto parts or maybe Wal-Mart or ? Put one on each terminal. Some swear that they work. I use chassis grease. What you want is to keep the acid fumes from getting between the terminal and cable end. That is what is causing the corrosion. Dielectric grease and other special coatings are also available. I have never used them on a battery.

Thanks Chipper, I already had the red and green washers on it. I'll add the chassis grease as well. I think I'll wait for a warmer day though. That garage is not heated, and it's supposed to be around 30 degrees for several days. Hope all is well with you and yours in the Lone Star State.
Sid

Place a "penny" on top of the battery near each post, when the penny gets full of acid through away and put a new one there

Sears use to sell those green and red pads that were called No-Co Pads but they didn`t work too well and have had better luck with plain old lub grease. Dialetric grease would probably be good also.

hoppy

I used Dieletric grease on the terminals in the 52,put it around the post and around the inside of the cable end. Did not note any real difference from the use of chassis grease and a good clean up every spring.

Thanks guys, I'll put some grease on them, and I'll try the penny treatment as well. When this battery dies, I'll look into finding a sealed one. Last time I checked, the Optima was the only one out there, and they are not cheap.
Sid

I'd always heard that corroding terminals is a sign of a dying battery. My experience over the years has reinforced that. Cleaning the terminals is always a good idea but don't be surprised if you end up having to replace the battery soon.

There are products available to keep the corrosion away but I have found that anything that SEALS the joint works just as well.
The last couple of batteries I changed I used rattle can paint, that was 3 years ago and still no sign of corrosion.
Tony

I think it was failed to be mentioned (inless me eyes skiped it) That you are suppose to OIL these pads aswell. It will say on the package aswell (or should). Motor oil works.

I've got into the habbit of using these pads and i've not had nearly the corosion as without. As others have said, grease on the posts work too. I've also found silicon spray to be nifty but it evaporates almost just as quick.

For Max protection i would use the combination of both, Pads and grease.

I have been using the battery disconnects sold in the G&D for sometime. I disconect the battery after each use. Very simple to used. I have not had any corrosion since I started using these disconnects. Prior to this I had corrosion on the cables, tray and hold down frame. I still use cup grease to coat the connections. I have used the pads. They help but will not completely eliminate corrosion. JIM

Jim, is the battery under the floor on the passenger side? I had a '41 Caddy and that's where it was. I know Chevy shared their bodies with Pontiac and Buick but I wasn't sure about the Cadillac.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

We had a warmer day or two last week, so I removed and cleaned the terminals on the battery, reinstalled the green and red felt washers, coated the terminals with grease and reinstalled them. This may help for a while, but I would really prefer to have a sealed battery for this car. Is Optima the only thing available in a sealed 6 volt? They are pricey, and they don't have a correct appearance, even from the side.
Thanks,
Sid

I don't think that a sealed battery will stop corrosion on the battery terminals.

I own 6 cars. One is not sealed and has battery corrosion problems. All the other 5 do not have corrosion problems and are sealed batteries.
Sid

There actually is a such thing as corosion even on a sealed battery. Just depends on how well you store and maintain it.

I have experienced corrosion on a sealed battery, but it's a much more rare situation than with unsealed. But the question remains, does anyone other than Ultima make a sealed 6 volt battery?
Sid

Have you looked on the Internet?

I dont know about ultima or any other BUT even though this is a battery you have to maintain, Interstate makes a hell of a battery. last six volt interstate i had lasted 8 and a half years and i expect the replacement to last the same. Regaurdless of what you hear, interstate IS a good battery. And one of the few still made in the United states. Cant say i've expereince corosion with it eaither.

The other battery is Nik-o-lite or Nik-o-life batterys which is another OLD battery make, still made here in the U.S. as far as i know. Although sealed or unsealed, i dont know. I dont really care myself, if it's a good one.

The amount of battery terminal corrosion is more related to the charge/discharge cycles than anything else. If the charging rate is only a few amps and only for a short time, very little off gassing will occur. If higher rates and longer times the more off gassing. If the generator continues to try to charge the battery when it is fully charged then it heats and off gasses also.

Nobody has mentioned battery terminal spray. I've used the stuff for years, and it works very well.

I'm a big fan of Optima batteries in my old cars - they don't have the corrosion problem. But I don't think the 6V Optima will fit in my 1920 battery box. Nobody around here carries them, so I'd have to order one to find out.

Go on their web site...I think they may have the measurement's there...I bought mine there, cheapest price and free delivery...ED

My local NAPA store had several sealed 6 volt batteries in stock and ready to go. Obviously, price was right as well, with no shipping charges.

Thanks Oreo, I'll check my NAPA store. A guy from NAPA recently made a speech at our local car club meeting. He is sponsoring our web site and offering a discount to our members. Sounds like they really want out business.
Sid