Battery terminal'waxing'

R

Risa

Member
Joined
21 Apr 2002
Messages
31
Location
Lancs
Visit site
Battery terminal\'waxing\'

Ive recently added a second domestic battery via a rotary 1,2,both switch and the new battery forms a waxy deposit on the +ve terminal over time the original battery (number 1) has no deposit. Both batts are 110ahr

Why the 'waxing'

Risa
 
Re: Battery terminal\'waxing\'

Take the terminals off, and clean the posts and the terminals thoroughly so that there is no trace of the waxing, then apply grease to the post and to the terminal thoroughly and re-connect. There should be no bare terminal visible, just grease. This should stop a re-occurrence, and ensure that full battery capacity is useable.
 
Re: Battery terminal\'waxing\'

Could it be either the vaseline-like grease the manufacturer puts on the terminal to stop corrosion, being gradually oozed out of the clamp, or is the terminal getting warm in use and "sweating" off the grease?
 
Re: Battery terminal\'waxing\'

Ive had the terminals completely clean and packed with grease. at all times the clamps are tight. Could it be due to overcharging the alternator is only kicking out 14-4 volts, I installed heavy duty cable to ensure min resistance and getting close to 14.4 at the teminals.
 
Re: Battery terminal\'waxing\'

If the battery is under warranty I would seriously think about changing it ,it sounds to me that the seal between case and terminal is u/s.
 
Re: Battery terminal\'waxing\'

I thought grease' ie say Vaseline' was a dilelectric and as such was not a conductor. I have always cleaned the post and the clamps with fine emery paper, refitted them and then coated them with Vaseline.
Should I be smearing the inside of the clamp and the post with vaseline before refitting ?
 
Re: Battery terminal\'waxing\'

[ QUOTE ]
I thought grease' ie say Vaseline' was a dilelectric and as such was not a conductor. I have always cleaned the post and the clamps with fine emery paper, refitted them and then coated them with Vaseline.
Should I be smearing the inside of the clamp and the post with vaseline before refitting ?

[/ QUOTE ]
I certainly do, the clamp will squeeze out the grease where it is making post to clamp contact, but provide protection where the two dont touch thus prevent oxidation creeping between clamp and post - at least that is theory! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
I don\'t grease them...

I've never greased battery terminals on the boat, it just makes a sticky mess. Never experienced corrosion problems, either. The batteries on my cars don't have any grease on their terminals either. I think this is one of those folklore tradition things.
 
Application of terminal grease.

Best to clean the clamps and terminals (and battery casings) thoroughly first.

Then apply a band of terminal grease or vaseline around the base of the terminal post, such that the clamp fits on to a relatively clean post, but the hard-to-get-at base of the clamp is bedded on grease.

Once done up tight, lightly grease the remaining, visible parts of the terminal assembly.
 
Re: Application of terminal grease.

Ive done all that folks - ill try swapping 1 and 2 batts ( 1 doesnt 'wax) se if that makes a difference

thanks for your help
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top