Vaseline

[cliff]

O.K. When cleaning the battery posts and clamps, at what stage does one apply the vaseline?

After cleaning but before clamping (vaseline will be between the post and the clamp) or after clamping (no vaseliine between the post and the clamp)
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When was the last time you visited ..... ?

 

[Lakesailor]

I used to get some great stuff in a small aerosol can that you sprayed on after fitting the clamps. It was a tar-like black stuff that stopped damp and corrosion getting at the posts and terminals.
On that basis I would say after..

 

[Aja]

After.........


Donald

 

[Tradewinds]

Out of interest, this stuff is pretty good. Don't know if it's available in the UK though (other CRC products are).

 

[VicS]

Another vote for after. Under the bonnet of the car when it gets warm it softens and runs into all the liitle gaps etc. It wont do that on the boat though.

A thin smear on the posts might be a good idea.

BTW when cleaning battery posts use one of those green nylon pot scourers. It will clean up the post a treat without removing any metal.

 

[Heckler]

Both

 

[ms1]

definitely both

 

[Becky]

Think man..... make a good connection, and then protect it.

Apply vaseline afterwards.






Even I know that, and I am blonde /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[sarabande]

errr, but if a good connection means that the interface between the battery post and the clamp requires vaseline to exclude the air (and prevent corrosion), don't you need to apply after cleaning, and then again after clamping ?

I'm not blonde.

 

[HermanD]

Vaseline in a thin layer protects against corrsosion but do not isolate the connection, because it is pressed out at the contact points. It does this for 50 years in mine experience. You can use it for much more because it never gives problems. WD 40 for instance damps away and gives only for a short time protection.

 

[Becky]

No, good connection; metal to metal. Then cover with vaseline.

Just like everyone else said.

 

[andyball]

Ah well, let's jump in and agree a bit with HermanD here - except err I don't use vaseline at all - all sticky & attracts dirt imo,

detractors may like to consider how spray & other types of contact treatment grease manage to avoid isolating the switch contacts after application. and noo, they ain't conductive greases., despite the springiness of contacts being way less than the clampiness of a battery terminal.

I must be just lucky - no grease of any kind & the terminals stay clean n shiny.

 

[ccscott49]

I never use vaseline on battery connections, uneccessary, just keep them clean, now and again when inspected. The vaseline is there originally to stop tyhe white build up of some kind of salt from the battery terminals of old style batteries and only on the positive (or is it negative) terminal. Never had any corrosion on mine for 12 years. (on this boat)

 

[Seal_surfer]

I've always used Copaslip, if anything at all, in the belief that the copper particles will assist conduction nd grease will exclude oxygen.

 

[srp]

Well, one simple question, and so many answers! Thats the beauty of this forum. My theory is that anyone who 'worries' about this sort of thing is likely to be the sort of bloke or blokette who regularly checks things anyway. Whatever measures they have taken in the first place are backed up by regular inspection and so any looming problem is going to be nipped in the bud. So I think everyone who has posted a reply is right. Personally, I'm a 'worrier'. I worry so much I don't know why I own a boat.

 

[ms1]

remove the white stuff completely and instantly by dangling the terminal clamp in a cup of boiling water

 

[jerryat]

[ QUOTE ]
I never use vaseline on battery connections, uneccessary, just keep them clean, now and again when inspected. The vaseline is there originally to stop tyhe white build up of some kind of salt from the battery terminals of old style batteries and only on the positive (or is it negative) terminal. Never had any corrosion on mine for 12 years. (on this boat)

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly my experience over many, many years! Never use anything on our terminals and never see the slightest corrosion.