What are the Causes of RV Battery Terminal Corrosion and How Can We Avoid It?

RV battery corrosion occurs when the battery’s acid reacts with the metal terminals creating discoloration that can be white, grown, or a green/blue color. Basically, lead sulfate crystals gather on the RV battery terminals when the battery is not maintained. This is a common occurrence for people who use lead-acid batteries. In fact, more than 90% of new Enduro Power clients make the switch to RV lithium batteries because they never wanted to experience corrosion again (spoiler alert: lithium batteries don’t corrode because they don’t contain a corrosive fluid). 

This article is intended to shed light on RV battery corrosion while showing the value of investing in an Enduro Power RV lithium battery.

Why do My Battery Terminals Keep Corroding?

RV battery corrosion takes place when the battery’s acid releases hydrogen gas onto the battery terminals. As the acid mixes with other elements in the air, physical corrosion forms that is detected by the naked eye. If the battery is not properly maintained, then it can leak and cause corrosion. Be sure to keep all elements of the battery clean, dry, and make sure it isn’t subjected to high impact jolts. 

If My RV Battery Corrodes, Do I Need a New One?

While a corroded battery can still deliver power, that power is significantly reduced because the corrosion blocks up to 100% of the power from being distributed. It almost acts like a coffee filter in that you can have some juice, but not all the power that could otherwise be delivered. That said, if you want your RV to be fully powered for your adventures on the road, you should get a new battery. And if you deal with battery corrosion, then it makes sense to switch to RV lithium batteries because, not only do they deliver significantly more power, but they also never corrode. 

What Are Some Household Methods for Cleaning RV Battery Corrosion?

Imagine you are out by the lake in your RV: you just caught some trout, and you are preparing to cook an amazing dinner. You go to your refrigerator to grab some ingredients, and upon opening the door you are met with a rancid smell: there is no power to the fridge. You check the onboard generator, and it won’t start. By this point, you know there is an issue with the RV battery. Upon further investigation you discover it is corroded. Now what? You may have intended to use some lemon juice and white vinegar to prepare the trout, but in this case, it would be best used to clean your battery. Put some lemon juice and white vinegar on a rag and wipe away the battery corrosion. You should be able to get a decent charge one the corrosion has been removed, but just be aware that this won't prevent future corrosion. 

The best way to guarantee that you will never be inconvenienced in such a scenario like this is to invest in RV lithium batteries from a trusted name brand like Enduro Power; these batteries deliver more than three times the power of an lead-acid, they last for more than a decade, and they will never corrode, ever. 

If Lithium Batteries Don’t Leak, Then What Threats are They Vulnerable To?

While RV lithium batteries are not prone to leaking, their performance can be reduced if they aren’t properly cared for. In rare cases, a short circuit can occur, but this usually only happens in poor off-brand batteries made with inferior materials, manufacturing defects, or from incorrect battery cable configuration. 

When not in use for an extended period of time (like in the winter or when not camping for an entire season), RV lithium batteries should be stored in a dry, cool environment at 50% to 70% percent charge. These conditions will help to ensure that your RV batteries will last, if possible, without any leaking and to maximize lifespan.

So, really? RV Lithium Batteries Won’t Leak?

While there are no reports of Enduro Power RV lithium batteries ever leaking, there are a few isolated cases where other inferior lithium batteries have leaked. However, with lithium batteries a leak is not even in the same category as a lead-acid battery leaking since the effects will be minimal on the device. When this has happened, it has been because the electrolytes boil or undergo chemical changes that raise cell pressure, and this is a major reason why they should be stored in a cool, dry environment. So, to summarize, leaking is extremely rare when you have RV lithium batteries, but even if this does happen, it is not considered catastrophic like a lead-acid battery leak. Finally, most lithium batteries have safety systems built in that notify you when cell pressure is too high, and the electrolyte materials are seeping out. When this happens, you will want to get a new RV battery, but if you invest in Enduro Power RV batteries, this will never happen so long as you use them as intended by the manufacturer. 

Invest in Enduro Power RV Batteries Today and Behold the Power and Ease of Lithium RV Batteries!

Why buy cheap lead-acid batteries? Sure, lead-acid RV batteries are cheap, and even off-brand lithium RV batteries are very low-cost. However, they both carry a ton of risk, and who wants to plan their outdoor adventures with the constant threat of battery corrosion, leaks, and explosions looming overhead like the Sword of Damocles? You can’t possibly enjoy your vacation when so many things can go wrong. Enduro Power RV batteries are top-class name brand lithium-based solutions to fuel your adventures, and we are proud to offer our batteries at a lower cost than our competitors. Give us a call today and we will hook you up with the right battery you need based on your RV, lifestyle, and needs, and we will show you how y