What grease for electrical contacts?

[pvb]

You do it your way and I'll do it mine !

Of course, no problem with that. But the point I'm making is that people slather grease over their battery terminals simply because they think it's needed. I don't, and I know it's not needed these days. It might have been in the middle of last century, but most of us have moved on.

 

[Momac]

I use Waxoyl on battery terminals - among other things.

 

[Mistroma]

Of course, no problem with that. But the point I'm making is that people slather grease over their battery terminals simply because they think it's needed. I don't, and I know it's not needed these days. It might have been in the middle of last century, but most of us have moved on.

Tell me about it, I looked at someone's batteries last year and was covered in black grease from the terminals. Really bad idea to plaster them with grease. I must admit that I do use Vaseline sparingly around the terminals. I clean the clamps, then the posts, put a little Vaseline around the base of the post and assemble immediately. Final step is to smear some Vaseline lightly on the top of the post and clamp. Lead oxidises pretty quickly but this method gives a pretty good connection. I accept that it is overkill but certainly won't do any harm and has negligible cost. I don't agree with slapping on excessive amounts of various greasy substances but don't have a problem with a very light smear.

I do get corrosive fumes from my flooded lead acid batteries and battery box lid was becoming quite discoloured. I fixed that problem by installing a ventilation system.

 

[David2452]

I do occasionally still see "furry" battery terminals but it is usually on boats with scant maintainance and quite damp installation areas, I generally use the stuff in the link below when I see it but mostly if the battery storage area is good I don't bother, on our own boat for instance I have never used it.
http://www.beal.org.uk/lubrication-cleaning/aerosols/battery-terminals-cleaner-protector-aerosol/spray-400ml-/prod_1298.html

 

[VicS]

Tell me about it, I looked at someone's batteries last year and was covered in black grease from the terminals.

Thats steering wheel grease

 

[Mistroma]

Thats steering wheel grease

Goes particularly well with a white T-shirt and light coloured trousers. My arm must have just grazed a post and it went everywhere before I realised I'd touched it.

My friend had not had the boat long and didn't know about the grease either. He cleaned it all off later the same day.

 

[LadyInBed]

I use copper impregnated grease
http://www.xxl-sale.co.uk/search/?q...EZtAUl5cKJY3ZDDd05-9XFX01HhRClBDE6xoCNx3w_wcB

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

I use copper impregnated grease
http://www.xxl-sale.co.uk/search/?q...EZtAUl5cKJY3ZDDd05-9XFX01HhRClBDE6xoCNx3w_wcB

I use something that is probably similar. It is called "PBC" which IIRC stands for Polybutylcuprisil (spelling?). I've had the tub for years and I used to apply it also to the cone of the Blakes on my previous boat. It is originally meant for use on steam engines and slow-moving parts but I use it practically all over the boat's mechanical equipment.