[Bronze66]

Thanks to George K I was able to readjust my voltage reg down to 14.5v. My problem is my positive battery post wants to get that acid powder crap built up around it. I noticed it more when the voltage was over 15. What causes the post to fungi up? To much voltage still? Bad cable, to much resistance? It's an original type spring clamp cable. 13yrs old. Everything is clean, all connections that is. TIA

[LPete]

I think that happens because the seal between the post and the case is broken. Acid wicks up the post and corrodes the cable (and gases from the battery charging too). Some batteries seem more prone to it than others.

[george kujanski]

Yep, it's probably the acid leaking around the post a bit. That's why Delco eventually went to the side mount, sealed, cable terminations.

When overcharging, the sulphuric acid bubbles and electrolyzes, outgassing and all kinds of bad stuff, making the problem much worse.



The auto stores used to have impregnated felt washers you would put under the clamp. Those would minimize the corrosion.

George

[Bronze66]

Thanks. Do you think I could seal around the post with something like silicon or and epoxy of some type? This is the second battery that has done it. Both from NAPA.

[Cammer-6]

Ive gone to Optimas on everything and have no problems.
Scariest one was my Aurora which is under the rear seat.
GM Delco OEM battery 4 yrs old the jerks at local Olds dealership
knocked off the vent tube and it puked acid into the battery box which
is part of the floor board.
If I hadnt checked it I wouldnt have known until the battery fell thru the floor.
Needless to say I yanked it out and replaced with an optima.
I just replaced it again with same just for cheap insurance as it was 6 yrs old.
My optimas typically last over 6 yrs.

[RASK]

Felt washer plus... didn't we used to smear grease over these to keep them from corroding?

[Greg Reid]

Originally Posted by RASK

Felt washer plus... didn't we used to smear grease over these to keep them from corroding?

That's the way I still do it. Still works for me.

[JimFB400HO]

I just occasionally spread a bit of a paste I make with baking soda and water over any of that build-up and then rinse it off after it eats and neutralizes it..

[Cammer-6]

If you want to clean it off squeaky clean instantly just pour store brand cola
over it then rinse with water. I would say Pepsi but that would be a waste.
It will amaze you how nice it cleans that crud off.
Be sure and rinse with water.

[Jack Blum]

I use the nice red/black plastic covers and the felt washers. Never get corroded that way. But if your 100% stock appearance then they don't look right.

The parts store used to sell a red spray to coat the terminal. Have not seen it out here in CA for years. Probably some EPA reg banned it.

[YVEYANT]

You can try those red and green felt covers that go over the positive and negative terminals. I use them and have no problems. I second the baking soda method. That stuff eats away at the corrosion effortlessly.

[Bronze66]

I'll see if I can get some of those felt washers. I know what they are but didn't really want to use them. Maybe I'll try and seal around the post first. I have no problem with cleaning it all the time. It's just I don't like having to do it though.

[george kujanski]

the prob should be minimum if the battery voltage is not overcharging the batt. Even if everything is perfect tho, the cable clamps would always get corroded unless periodic maintenence and cleaning was done, at least that's what I remember.

George

[Bronze66]

Voltage is down to 14.5v from 15+. It was getting more build up then. So it has slowed up. What should I max the voltage regulator at? 14.2?

[george kujanski]

about 14.0 at normal 70 degree ambient temps is a good target.

George