What Causes Battery Terminal Corrosion | How to Prevent and Clean Corrosion
Battery terminal corrosion can be irritating, dangerous and reduce the efficiency of your battery. Find out what you can do to prevent and clean battery corrosion.
Are you tired of dealing with a weak battery and struggling to start your car or boat? The culprit might be hiding in plain sight – corroded battery terminals.
The good news is that by understanding the causes and learning how to clean and prevent battery terminal corrosion, you can avoid this common problem and ensure your vehicle starts reliably every time.
In this post, we’ll dive deep into the world of terminal corrosion, exploring its causes and effects on your vehicle’s performance. We’ll also provide a step-by-step guide on how to clean and prevent corrosion, as well as the benefits of switching to lithium batteries for a maintenance-free future.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Battery terminal corrosion is caused by chemical reactions between metal terminals and battery acid which can reduce power output, damage cables, and make it difficult to start.
- Regular maintenance such as protective coatings, proper charging practices & inspection are essential for preventing corrosion and extending the life of the battery.
- Lithium batteries provide a safe option with no acid leaks or fumes plus maintenance-free operation for prolonged usage without worry.
What Is Battery Terminal Corrosion
Battery terminal corrosion, often seen as a white, blue, or greenish powdery substance surrounding the battery terminals and cables, is a result of a chemical reaction between hydrogen gas, air, moisture, and salt.
This powdery buildup can affect battery performance, making it difficult for your car to start and reducing the overall life of your battery. Regular cleaning and maintenance of corroded battery terminals are a must to ensure your car runs smoothly and your battery’s lifespan is extended.
Understanding why battery terminals corrode and the chemical reactions behind corrosion can help you better prevent it and maintain optimal battery performance.
We’ll examine these reactions in more detail, focusing on their impact on your battery.
Chemical Reactions Behind Corrosion
Battery terminal corrosion primarily occurs due to a chemical reaction between battery acid and metal terminals. This reaction is accelerated when hydrogen gas, moisture, and salt in the air come into contact with the battery terminals, potentially impacting electrical systems.
The chemical reaction between the battery acid and the metal terminals, including the battery’s positive terminal, results in the formation of lead sulfate crystals.
The corrosion on car battery terminals can present in various colors, such as brown, white, or blue/green. No matter the color, corrosion can harm your vehicle’s electrical systems, emphasizing the need to avoid and clean corroded battery terminals.
Effects of Corroded Terminals
Corroded terminals negatively affect power output, cause damage to cables and impede devices from starting. Increased resistance in the connections due to corrosion results in decreased power output, which can inhibit your vehicle’s performance.
Preventing battery terminal corrosion is key to sustaining optimal battery performance. Moreover, corrosion can cause battery cables to become brittle and break, potentially damaging them.
Regular battery maintenance can help prevent such issues.
What Causes Corrosion on Battery Terminals
There are several factors that can contribute to battery terminal corrosion, including overfilled batteries, damaged or leaking batteries and overcharging. Gaining knowledge about what causes corrosion on battery terminals allows you to take preventative measures and prolong your battery’s life.
We’ll examine these factors individually, offering you insight into how to avoid corrosion and ensure your car functions optimally.
Overfilled Batteries
One cause of battery terminal corrosion is overfilled batteries. Excess water coming into contact with the battery’s surfaces, including the terminals, can lead to corrosion during the chemical reaction that takes place inside of the battery.
Overfilled batteries may result in:
- Dilution of the electrolyte
- Heightened risk of leakage or spillage
- Damage to the battery casing or seals
- Decreased battery lifespan and capacity
- Increased risk of corrosion on battery terminals and connections.
Maintaining the correct electrolyte levels in your battery is fundamental to avoiding corrosion caused by overfilled batteries.
If you have a car battery that requires you to routinely check the water levels, aka a flooded lead acid battery, then the best practice is to carefully add distilled water to each cell up to the point the water covers the metallic plates and barely reaches the top of the cell. If you fill the water levels to the point it is higher than this, you are inviting car battery corrosion.
Related: Understand the different kind of 12 volt batteries and the pros and cons of each.
Damaged or Leaking Batteries
Avoid battery terminal corrosion by replacing damaged or leaking batteries. Electrolyte buildup on terminals can result from damaged or leaking batteries, leading to corrosion.
Physical damage, such as dropping the battery, or age and wear, could be potential causes of damaged or leaking batteries.
Careful handling and timely replacement of your battery are necessary to prevent corrosion caused by damaged or leaking batteries which could then cause damage to the battery cables as well..
Overcharging and High Temperature
Overcharging is a key contributor to battery corrosion. In fact, battery corrosion can be a direct result of overcharging, which occurs when a battery is charged beyond its capacity, resulting in high temperatures, electrolyte expansion and corrosion buildup.
Essentially, if you overcharge a flooded lead acid battery you cause the sulfuric acid to boil. This will result not only in excess gas buildup but also in your car battery terminals experiencing advanced corrosions.
High temperatures can also lead to corrosion by causing the battery to overheat. Adhering to correct charging practices and avoiding extreme heat exposure for your battery are important to prevent corrosion caused by overcharging and high temperatures.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Clean Corrosion on Battery Terminal
Having discussed the causes of battery terminal corrosion, we will now navigate through a step-by-step guide for its cleaning. Following this guide effectively will help you clean corroded battery terminals and revive your battery’s performance.
Remember, safety first! Before you begin cleaning, ensure you have the necessary safety equipment, such as gloves and eye protection because dealing with battery acid can be dangerous.
Disconnect the Battery
The first step in cleaning battery corrosion is to disconnect the battery cables, starting with the negative terminal. Before proceeding to clean the battery’s positive terminal, disconnecting the battery ensures safety and prevents any accidental electrical discharge that could damage your vehicle’s power systems.
Always remember to disconnect the negative terminal first before you disconnect the positive terminal. Then, in reverse, connect the positive terminal prior to reconnecting the negative terminal.
Clean Corroded Battery Terminals Using Baking Soda and Water Mixture
Once the battery is disconnected, prepare a baking soda and water mixture to neutralize and remove the corrosion buildup. Combine half a teaspoon of baking soda with a glass of water (approximately 8 oz or 250 milliliters) to create the cleaning solution.
This mixture will help dissolve the battery corrosion and make it easier to remove with a wire brush.
Scrub with a Wire Brush
After applying the baking soda and water mixture to the corroded battery terminals, use a wire brush to scrub the terminals and connectors. The wire brush will help loosen and remove deposits and corrosion from the terminals and connectors, ensuring a clean and strong connection for optimal battery performance.
Once you’ve finished scrubbing, rinse the terminals with water and allow them to dry before reconnecting the battery.
If the car battery corrosion has impacted the battery cables, you may want to replace or repair the cables before making a new connection in the vehicle.
How to Prevent and Keep Battery Terminals from Corroding
Cleaning corroded battery terminals is important, but preventing corrosion in the first place is even better. By implementing regular maintenance, protective coatings and proper charging practices, you can prevent battery terminal corrosion and extend the lifetime of your battery.
This section will explore various preventative measures you can adopt to sidestep corrosion and sustain your battery’s performance.
Regular Maintenance and Inspection
Consistent maintenance and inspection of your battery are critical in preventing battery corrosion. By regularly checking the battery terminals for corrosion and cleaning them as necessary, you can ensure the proper functioning and longevity of your battery.
Besides cleaning the terminals, inspecting the battery for any signs of damage or leaks is also significant. If you notice any issues, it’s best to address them promptly to prevent further corrosion and potential damage to your vehicle’s electrical systems or loss of power.
Protective Coating and Dielectric Grease
Another effective way to stop battery terminal corrosion from happening is by applying protective coatings and dielectric grease to the terminals. These substances can help inhibit corrosion and extend the life of your battery.
To properly apply protective coatings and grease to the battery terminals, follow these steps:
- Clean the terminals with a wire brush.
- Apply a thin layer of grease or a protective coating.
- Regularly check the protective coatings and grease and reapply as necessary to ensure continued protection against corrosion.
Proper Charging Practices
Ensuring proper charging practices is another crucial step in preventing battery terminal corrosion. By avoiding overcharging and keeping temperatures at acceptable levels, you can reduce the risk of battery corrosion and maintain optimal battery performance.
Adhering to proper charging practices, such as avoiding full charge cycles and overnight charging, limiting the use of fast charging and not fully charging or fully discharging the battery, can help prevent overcharging and exposure to high temperatures, both of which can lead to corrosion and damage the battery.
SHOP FOR THE PROPER CHARGER HERE
The Benefits of Switching to Lithium Batteries
If you’re tired of dealing with battery corrosion and the maintenance associated with traditional lead-acid batteries, it may be time to consider switching to lithium batteries. These batteries offer numerous benefits, such as no acid leaks or fumes and maintenance-free operation, making them an attractive alternative for many vehicle owners.
We’ll delve deeper into the benefits of lithium batteries and how they can enhance your vehicle’s performance while easing the burden of battery maintenance.
No Acid Leaks or Fumes
One of the key benefits of lithium batteries is their sealed design, which eliminates the potential for acid leaks or fumes. This means that you won’t have to worry about corrosive battery acid damaging your vehicle’s components or causing harmful fumes.
The absence of fumes and acid leaks reduces the risk of corrosion, making lithium batteries a more reliable and hassle-free option.
Maintenance-Free Operation
Another significant advantage of lithium batteries is their maintenance-free operation. Here are some key points to consider.
- Lithium batteries have extended longevity, requiring minimal attention.
- They allow for prolonged usage with more battery capacity and deeper depth of discharge, so you can enjoy your vehicle’s performance for longer.
- With lithium batteries, you can spend less time worrying about battery upkeep and more time enjoying your vehicle.
Lithium car batteries allow you to bid farewell to corrosion, welcoming a more convenient and reliable power source for your vehicle.
SHOP ALL OF OUR LITHIUM BATTERY OPTIONS
Summary
Battery terminal corrosion is a common issue that can significantly impact your vehicle’s performance and the lifetime of your battery. By understanding what causes battery terminal corrosion and implementing proper cleaning and prevention techniques, you can ensure that your battery remains in optimal condition and your vehicle starts reliably every time.
Switching to lithium batteries offers additional benefits, including no acid leaks or fumes and maintenance-free operation, making them an attractive alternative to traditional lead-acid batteries.
By taking the necessary steps to maintain and protect your battery, you can enjoy a more reliable and hassle-free driving experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes battery terminals corrode?
Keeping an eye on where the car battery corrosion takes place will help understand why it keeps corroding. Corrosion on the positive terminal is a sign of overcharging, likely caused by a faulty voltage regulator. On the other hand, corrosion on the negative terminal is a symptom of undercharging - indicating why your battery terminals keep corroding.
Does corrosion mean I need a new battery?
Not necessarily. Battery corrosion is a normal part of a battery and can cause reduced battery life and electrical problems. Cleaning the terminals can help, but if there is excessive corrosion or difficulty starting the vehicle, it may be time to replace the battery instead.
Can a corroded battery terminal be fixed?
Yes, a corroded battery terminal can be fixed by removing and cleaning the terminals with a wire brush, then neutralizing any remaining acid with a baking soda/water solution or battery terminal spray cleaner.
Alternatively, coat the terminals in baking soda, then spray water on them or apply a baking soda paste to the terminals, and let it sit and bubble for a while before wiping them clean with a paper towel.
How to keep battery terminals from corroding?
To prevent battery terminals from corroding, regular cleaning and the use of terminal protectors can help prolong the time the terminals will last. Additionally, using the right type of dielectric grease is recommended to ensure a tight fit on the terminals.
NEED MORE ASSISTANCE PLANNING YOUR POWER SETUP?
GIVE US A CALL AT 303-968-1366 AND OUR TEAM WILL HELP YOU GET STARTED!
|