Brown paste on 6V [+] terminal
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Brown paste on 6V [+] terminal
I'm putting my camper away for the year. Draining tanks, blowing out water lines, anti-freeze in the P-traps, bringing batteries into the garage, etc.
When I pulled my 2 6V Trojans, one of the batteries had this thick brown paste all over the terminal. The other battery was fine.
I used a shop rag to get it off, being careful not to touch the stuff. Never seen this thing before. Anyone here happen to know what in the world this is, and what caused it to appear?
http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9c1cf223.jpg
When I pulled my 2 6V Trojans, one of the batteries had this thick brown paste all over the terminal. The other battery was fine.
I used a shop rag to get it off, being careful not to touch the stuff. Never seen this thing before. Anyone here happen to know what in the world this is, and what caused it to appear?
http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9c1cf223.jpg
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The terminal looks ok visually. I need to clean the rest of the paste off and get a good look at it. The case looks alright, I don't see any obvious sign of it leaking. The cells were a little low on water, but certainly not boiled dry.
Both batteries were purchased together, about 4 years ago (or maybe 5). I've taken care of them quite well. I just returned from 4 nights in the Idaho wilderness, running lights/furnace/water pump/etc. and the batteries performed about as expected. I didn't notice any difference at all.
I need to stick a voltage meter on them -- haven't done that yet.
Both batteries were purchased together, about 4 years ago (or maybe 5). I've taken care of them quite well. I just returned from 4 nights in the Idaho wilderness, running lights/furnace/water pump/etc. and the batteries performed about as expected. I didn't notice any difference at all.
I need to stick a voltage meter on them -- haven't done that yet.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Bristol, TN.
The terminal looks ok visually. I need to clean the rest of the paste off and get a good look at it. The case looks alright, I don't see any obvious sign of it leaking. The cells were a little low on water, but certainly not boiled dry.
Both batteries were purchased together, about 4 years ago (or maybe 5). I've taken care of them quite well. I just returned from 4 nights in the Idaho wilderness, running lights/furnace/water pump/etc. and the batteries performed about as expected. I didn't notice any difference at all.
I need to stick a voltage meter on them -- haven't done that yet.
Both batteries were purchased together, about 4 years ago (or maybe 5). I've taken care of them quite well. I just returned from 4 nights in the Idaho wilderness, running lights/furnace/water pump/etc. and the batteries performed about as expected. I didn't notice any difference at all.
I need to stick a voltage meter on them -- haven't done that yet.
Steve
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Appreciate the feedback. I'll have a better look at the terminal tonight and report back.
****-u-me'ing* it's a loose terminal, how does that explain this paste? That is, might you know exactly what this stuff is??
****-u-me'ing* it's a loose terminal, how does that explain this paste? That is, might you know exactly what this stuff is??
Hotshot
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From: Bristol, TN.
Steve
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I put a voltmeter on the battery tonight and it reads slightly less than 8V without any kind of load. The other battery is a bit over 8.2V, but it's been on the charger most of the afternoon. So I suppose that explains the difference.
After I cleaned up the terminal, I was lightly tapping it with a small hammer and I can see that the seal between the terminal and the plastic case of the battery is ever-so-slightly loose. So I'm guessing at this point that the sludge/paste is due to the acid leaking thru that faulty seal and attacking the metal components of the terminal, copper connecting wire, and/or nuts that secure the cable to the terminal.
Question now is this: is it even worth trying to salvage this thing, or just start saving for a new 6V? And if I'm going to buy a single 6V, I'm thinking of just buying 2 to have a matching set of twins.
It's kinda hard to toss what appears to be a perfectly good battery (from the standpoint of battery performance). Maybe some JB Weld, or some kind of epoxy resin would seal it up again? I'm just kinda thinking out loud here...
After I cleaned up the terminal, I was lightly tapping it with a small hammer and I can see that the seal between the terminal and the plastic case of the battery is ever-so-slightly loose. So I'm guessing at this point that the sludge/paste is due to the acid leaking thru that faulty seal and attacking the metal components of the terminal, copper connecting wire, and/or nuts that secure the cable to the terminal.
Question now is this: is it even worth trying to salvage this thing, or just start saving for a new 6V? And if I'm going to buy a single 6V, I'm thinking of just buying 2 to have a matching set of twins.
It's kinda hard to toss what appears to be a perfectly good battery (from the standpoint of battery performance). Maybe some JB Weld, or some kind of epoxy resin would seal it up again? I'm just kinda thinking out loud here...
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: The Big, Oregon
I have had batteries ooze around the positive terminal before and last for years, but it might be something worth keeping an eye on since campers get less use than cars generally. I wouldn't try to seal it with anything, it may react worse. I did use some of that terminal treatment/sealer spray from Napa on mine, and it didn't make any difference. I did clean it with baking soda when it started looking nasty.
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Hotshot
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From: Bristol, TN.
Steve
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From: Southern Cal
I have had batteries ooze around the positive terminal before and last for years, but it might be something worth keeping an eye on since campers get less use than cars generally. I wouldn't try to seal it with anything, it may react worse. I did use some of that terminal treatment/sealer spray from Napa on mine, and it didn't make any difference. I did clean it with baking soda when it started looking nasty.
This battery could last a few more years although, at six or so years old now, it could die anytime but those 6 volts usually last longer.
The sulfuric acid or fumes leaking from battery is combining with the metals of the post and/or connectors, and the chemical reaction is what you can see.
If kept clean, you should be fine, however, regular maintenance is important. This probably didn't happen overnight and regular checks are important.
Your battery compartment, if not mounted outside up front, will be vented, knowing you need to dissipate those fumes.
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From: Millersville, MD
Clean it with baking soda and get a can of the battery cleaner and spray it well. Some come out red, some yellow - both do the same thing. Keep and eye on it and don't replace until it doesn't perform anymore. Oh yeah, I'd also pick up on of those post cleaners.... they have wires inside and you just rotate it on the battery posts and it cleans the lead down to new lead....gets them REALLY clean. Get rid of the junk on the posts first with baking soda, water and rags tho.....
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From: Southern Cal
About 10 bucks per box.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: The Big, Oregon
Clean it with baking soda and get a can of the battery cleaner and spray it well. Some come out red, some yellow - both do the same thing. Keep and eye on it and don't replace until it doesn't perform anymore. Oh yeah, I'd also pick up on of those post cleaners.... they have wires inside and you just rotate it on the battery posts and it cleans the lead down to new lead....gets them REALLY clean. Get rid of the junk on the posts first with baking soda, water and rags tho.....