Hi,
Does anyone know what causes the white/green crusty stuff that sometimes builds up on battery terminals? Is it bad?
1959 red & white Beetle
1975 Kombi camper
I'm sure somebody will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it's copper sulphate or lead sulphate. It's caused by a reaction between battery acid/fumes and the terminals. It's very common and I don't think it's particularly "bad". To get rid of it just pour hot/boiling water over it and it will wash away. Wipe the posts and terminals clean with a rag. To prevent it from coming back, smear the posts and terminals with Vaseline.
Ain't nothin' like the wind in your hair.
If you go into yr Mums kitchen pantry get some Baking soda and add a teaspoon of it to some hot water, it will make the crud disappear and clean the terminals up at the same time.
Its better off if you disconnect the terminals and dip them into the water soda solution as well.
Use a bit of emery or scotch bright to shine up the teminals and leads and then apply the Vasso to them and refit and tighten up again.
the crud is cause by a high resitance joint on the teerminals
Thanks guys! I'll go put the kettle on.
Now where did all the vaseline go...? :o
mmmm slippery
1959 red & white Beetle
1975 Kombi camper
It is corrosive and will eat a thin lug through in no time.
My Falcon did it all the time - and yes it ate through the pissy thin thing that called a terminal lug.
Get rid of it
Futue te ipsum!!!
Forgot to say you need to flush the battery tray area with plenty of water are as well or if you leave it there it will start corrosion of the battery tray as well.
is it possible for that crusty stuff to create a short in the electrics of the rest of the car and start to smoke? (or does my beetle have goblins?)
NO! and I always smoke after useing vasaline😀
Never Rushed
I DEFINATELY dun wanna know wat u get up to in the garage! :o
hehehehe:P
if you cut a piece of felt out into a circle like a doughnut and slip it over the terminal and under the clamp and spray it with rp7 or something like that it keeps the corrosion away.
we used hot water and some washing powder(omo or what ever)it neutralises the reaction and then we would spray "tectle" I think its called.:thumb
The baking soda will nuetralise the acid as well, and stop it eating into the metal.
Rob...
Boxer Power
Member of DMLRK.....Die Mittler Lebuns Resto Komeradschaft
Thanks for all the suggestions!
The baking soda fizzed away the crusty stuff really well.
The clamp on the cable was so corroded I had to replace it, and it was brand new only 3 months ago! I wish I'd known about the vaseline/RP7 tricks back then.
All sorted now 😎
1959 red & white Beetle
1975 Kombi camper
