Mixing brass and A4 on battery terminals

[Karlsenkystfiske]

Installed some new starter batteries today. While fitting one of the pole shoes I ruined the threads of the bolt. Will it cause a lot of galvanic problems if I replace nut and bolt with something in A4?
What material is the battery poles made from?

 

[vyv_cox]

Installed some new starter batteries today. While fitting one of the pole shoes I ruined the threads of the bolt. Will it cause a lot of galvanic problems if I replace nut and bolt with something in A4?
What material is the battery poles made from?

Galvanic corrosion occurs under water. There are no consequences resulting from combining metals in dry conditions, which is an everyday occurrence.
Battery posts are usually lead.

 

[VicS]

And the terminal clamp is probably tinned brass ( Oh, it says that in the thread title )

I dont think I would use Nyloc nuts

 

[Bilgediver]

Installed some new starter batteries today. While fitting one of the pole shoes I ruined the threads of the bolt. Will it cause a lot of galvanic problems if I replace nut and bolt with something in A4?
What material is the battery poles made from?

I would have more concerns about the necessity of a packing piece under the clamp. Is this the correct terminal clamp ?

 

[PaulRainbow]

I would have more concerns about the necessity of a packing piece under the clamp. Is this the correct terminal clamp ?

If you are referring to the plastic ring around the base of the post, that's standard.

 

[Slocumotion]

If you are referring to the plastic ring around the base of the post, that's standard.

Probably referring to the bit of sardine tin wrapped half way round the post.

 

[Stemar]

Since it's the negastive terminal of the battery, and the clamp is marked negative, it's the right clamp, If it won't tighten up without the "sardine tin", it's probably distorted enough to need replacing.

Getting back to the OP's question, I've used SS bolts in brass clamps for years with no problems. A smear of grease before assembly and a good dose of grease afterwards to coat everything will keep the damp out, even in a bilge with standing water. Vaseline is the traditional treatment, but my theory is that it tends to dry out, which grease won't in the life of a battery.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

I would have more concerns about the necessity of a packing piece under the clamp. Is this the correct terminal clamp ?

Can't see a packing piece.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

Probably referring to the bit of sardine tin wrapped half way round the post.

Looks to me to be a fragment of a sticky label, at the side nearest to the camera, combined with a reflection on the radiused edge of the top circumference of the pole, on the right-hand side, giving the impression that something thin is wrapped around it.

 

[Bilgediver]

Can't see a packing piece.

Specsavers....... Others can see it????

 

[ChromeDome]

I'd clean it up properly, fit it and then apply protective grease (or sm'thing)

 

[PaulRainbow]

Probably referring to the bit of sardine tin wrapped half way round the post.

Might want to look closer.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Specsavers....... Others can see it????

Click the picture, then click again to zoom it, cheaper then Specsavers

There is something there, but it's not all of the way around and only seems to be right at the top of the post. Whatever, it needs to come off.

More importantly, with the pic zoomed you can see the clamp has been arcing, that needs sorting.

I would have a proper lug crimped onto the end of the cable and fit it with a new terminal on the post.

 

[Daydream believer]

Never have put gunge round my battery terminals & never found any reason to. They always stay perfectly clean.

 

[wingcommander]

I think the vaseline/ grease smearing is an old school protective tip , back when the battery leaked acid from around the post. Personally not seen the occur on any modern constructed batteries.

 

[ChromeDome]

I think the vaseline/ grease smearing is an old school protective tip , back when the battery leaked acid from around the post. Personally not seen the occur on any modern constructed batteries.

At least not gunk on the connecting surfaces. Keep clean, fit and tighten. Then put on what you feel is good.

 

[VicS]

Specsavers....... Others can see it????

I can seewnhat you are talking about but I do not believe its a piece of packing, sardine can or otherwise.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

Specsavers....... Others can see it????

See Post#9

 

[Karlsenkystfiske]

I was going to say it was an optical illusion, but now I might have to check if there is something in there.
I consider vaseline and petroleum grease to not be conductive enough to put on the connecting surfaces. But I do like to smear it around to keep water and salt out.

 

[ChromeDome]

I was going to say it was an optical illusion, but now I might have to check if there is something in there.
I consider vaseline and petroleum grease to not be conductive enough to put on the connecting surfaces. But I do like to smear it around to keep water and salt out.

Clean the surfaces, fit and tighten then add silicone grease or even
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