Weird Battery Cable Corrosion ?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,589
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Weird Battery Cable Corrosion ?
Have had 2 red top Optimas in the X since 2005. Both batteries are fine and turn the 6.0 over with no problem, even in cold weather (20° - 30°F). However, I have noticed significant corrosion buildup (green stuff) on the passenger side battery negative terminal over the last 6 months. All of the other 3 terminals look like they came from the factory. Will probably replace the cable. If that much corrosion is on the surface, I would asssume some has crept into the cable to terminal connection and will degrade the passenger side battery performance.
Anyone else had this problem? What was the fix?
DSMMH
Anyone else had this problem? What was the fix?
DSMMH
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Sometimes this is a sign of one battery starting to get weak
My advise would be to remove them, charge them separately and have them load tested.
In the mean time wash the battery box/ clamps with water and baking soda
Grease or wd40 may help protect it from moisture, but not from the battery sulfating
My advise would be to remove them, charge them separately and have them load tested.
In the mean time wash the battery box/ clamps with water and baking soda
Grease or wd40 may help protect it from moisture, but not from the battery sulfating
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,368
Likes: 121
From: Stuttgart, Ar
Everywhere the ground cables bolt to the truck, which is multiple places on a Superduty.
I have that stupid corrosion issue on my drivers negative cable and my grounds are fine. Batteries both load test good. I put on the corrosion inhibitor to fix it and no more issues as of now (knock on wood).
I have that stupid corrosion issue on my drivers negative cable and my grounds are fine. Batteries both load test good. I put on the corrosion inhibitor to fix it and no more issues as of now (knock on wood).
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Middle Tn.
Clean the battery terminals, coat with di-electric grease, thin coat, install anti-corrosion pads, connect and spray the red crc terminal protection stuff. Works like a charm. No matter what you do, always check terminals when checking oil. Good pro-active maint.
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Tuned
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 425
Likes: 4
I believe the case to post seal sometimes allows gas to escape and corode the cable clamp. Once anything corodes it is more prone to corode again thereafter. I find battery cable grease to be more effective than sprays. Installing the felt disks and greasing clamps before corosion starts seems to be the best approach.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,180
Likes: 669
From: Scio, OR
With corrosion on a single post, I'd really suspect a leaking battery. Optimas are AGM with a gel, if I remember correctly, so it would seem odd for acid to be leaking out, but perhaps there is some evaporation occuring and evaporated battery acid is leaking out that terminal.
There is a cleaner spray that has an acid detector in it. You might try it. This is the stuff I used, it foams up when you spray it on, and the foam turns purple if acid is present.
http://www.amazon.com/CRC-05023-Tech...gy_auto_text_b
There is a cleaner spray that has an acid detector in it. You might try it. This is the stuff I used, it foams up when you spray it on, and the foam turns purple if acid is present.
http://www.amazon.com/CRC-05023-Tech...gy_auto_text_b
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2006
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Sometimes this is a sign of one battery starting to get weak
My advise would be to remove them, charge them separately and have them load tested.
In the mean time wash the battery box/ clamps with water and baking soda
Grease or wd40 may help protect it from moisture, but not from the battery sulfating
My advise would be to remove them, charge them separately and have them load tested.
In the mean time wash the battery box/ clamps with water and baking soda
Grease or wd40 may help protect it from moisture, but not from the battery sulfating
Am getting a new ground cable today.
Optimas are gel batteries and do not corrode the clamps and battery boxes like lead/acid batteries. That is one of the reasons I buy Optima batteries.
Thanks for the feedback!
DSMMH
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 64
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Optimas are gel batteries and do not corrode the clamps and battery boxes like lead/acid batteries. That is one of the reasons I buy Optima batteries.
Yet yours as you describe it are.
This has me curious, so I went to Optima's website
Optima Battery FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
When used with a properly regulated constant voltage charging system (such as an alternator) the OPTIMA will usually not emit hydrogen gas. However, gassing can occur when charging at higher voltage levels or in extreme high temperature conditions. In automotive applications this typically will not happen if the alternator/regulator stay below 15 volts.
And
A gel battery design is typically a modification of the standard lead-acid automotive or marine battery. A gelling agent is added to the electrolyte to reduce movement inside the battery case. Many gel batteries also use one way valves in place of open vents, which helps the normal internal gasses to recombine back into water in the battery, reducing gassing.
An OPTIMA battery is not a "gel" battery or regular flooded acid battery. An OPTIMA is a Spiralcell AGM battery.
Yet yours as you describe it are.
This has me curious, so I went to Optima's website
Optima Battery FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
When used with a properly regulated constant voltage charging system (such as an alternator) the OPTIMA will usually not emit hydrogen gas. However, gassing can occur when charging at higher voltage levels or in extreme high temperature conditions. In automotive applications this typically will not happen if the alternator/regulator stay below 15 volts.
And
A gel battery design is typically a modification of the standard lead-acid automotive or marine battery. A gelling agent is added to the electrolyte to reduce movement inside the battery case. Many gel batteries also use one way valves in place of open vents, which helps the normal internal gasses to recombine back into water in the battery, reducing gassing.
An OPTIMA battery is not a "gel" battery or regular flooded acid battery. An OPTIMA is a Spiralcell AGM battery.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,589
Likes: 20
Optimas are gel batteries and do not corrode the clamps and battery boxes like lead/acid batteries. That is one of the reasons I buy Optima batteries.
Yet yours as you describe it are.
This has me curious, so I went to Optima's website
Optima Battery FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
When used with a properly regulated constant voltage charging system (such as an alternator) the OPTIMA will usually not emit hydrogen gas. However, gassing can occur when charging at higher voltage levels or in extreme high temperature conditions. In automotive applications this typically will not happen if the alternator/regulator stay below 15 volts.
And
A gel battery design is typically a modification of the standard lead-acid automotive or marine battery. A gelling agent is added to the electrolyte to reduce movement inside the battery case. Many gel batteries also use one way valves in place of open vents, which helps the normal internal gasses to recombine back into water in the battery, reducing gassing.
An OPTIMA battery is not a "gel" battery or regular flooded acid battery. An OPTIMA is a Spiralcell AGM battery.
Yet yours as you describe it are.
This has me curious, so I went to Optima's website
Optima Battery FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
When used with a properly regulated constant voltage charging system (such as an alternator) the OPTIMA will usually not emit hydrogen gas. However, gassing can occur when charging at higher voltage levels or in extreme high temperature conditions. In automotive applications this typically will not happen if the alternator/regulator stay below 15 volts.
And
A gel battery design is typically a modification of the standard lead-acid automotive or marine battery. A gelling agent is added to the electrolyte to reduce movement inside the battery case. Many gel batteries also use one way valves in place of open vents, which helps the normal internal gasses to recombine back into water in the battery, reducing gassing.
An OPTIMA battery is not a "gel" battery or regular flooded acid battery. An OPTIMA is a Spiralcell AGM battery.
I have two marine Optimas in my Sonic go fast boat, one Red Top Optima in my ZO6 and one marine Optima in my other smaller fishing boat. None of those show any signs of corrosion. I would certainly expect to see it on the marine Optimas but they are all clean.
npccpartsman has the same issue, except on the other side, and he has done all of the stuff you previously recommended. Not sure if he has lead/acid or AGM batteries.
Going to change ground cable tomorrow and see what happens.
DSMMH
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 64
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As Da Bees said, the source of your corrosion is probably hydrogen gas seeping up from the post.
I prefer to have cables made or make your own when possible because I hate the tiny hardware the factory uses.
The finest I have seen is after crimping the clamp or lug on, heat it up with a butane torch and fill the end with soldier to seal corrosion out.
Then finish it with heat shrink over the top
I prefer to have cables made or make your own when possible because I hate the tiny hardware the factory uses.
The finest I have seen is after crimping the clamp or lug on, heat it up with a butane torch and fill the end with soldier to seal corrosion out.
Then finish it with heat shrink over the top
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 425
Likes: 4
Agree, but none of the other terminals in the X show any corrosion at all. Also there are no tell tale moisture trails, as you would see with lead/acid batteries, on any of my Optimas.
I have two marine Optimas in my Sonic go fast boat, one Red Top Optima in my ZO6 and one marine Optima in my other smaller fishing boat. None of those show any signs of corrosion.
npccpartsman has the same issue, except on the other side, and he has done all of the stuff you previously recommended.
DSMMH
I have two marine Optimas in my Sonic go fast boat, one Red Top Optima in my ZO6 and one marine Optima in my other smaller fishing boat. None of those show any signs of corrosion.
npccpartsman has the same issue, except on the other side, and he has done all of the stuff you previously recommended.
DSMMH
I submit as possiable answers,#1 Defect #2 acid #3 Battery spicific
That is a lot of comments on a vehicle I have never even saw driving by,much less examined but you asked for opinions.
As far as changing the cable to see what happens,may I also offer somthing regarding that? While you are at it I suspect you will be cleaning all terminals. Why not also switch sides with the batteries? If the problem then shows up on drivers side negative cable,that pretty much seals the deal. Good luck
Last edited by da-bees; Feb 16, 2012 at 03:30 PM. Reason: Add the word "also" switch
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