Adjustable automotive battery cable clamps get that white stuff on them.
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On my generator, I have removable clamps so that I can swap and recharge batteries outside of the generator making all that noise & smell.
I just want to periodically soak the clamps (they're separate items) that I bought from the auto parts store in the right chemical to remove the corrosion.
What is that whiteish substance, chemically, anyway? What chemical can I soak the adjustable clamps in that will remove it.
Almost like Dean, I just use baking powder. (I usually don't have baking soda.) I don't bother with the instructions I saw 50 years ago, to iirc mix with water and brush it on. I just pour some on straight from the box, then slowly pour on some water, slowly enough so that I don't wash away the powder before it does its work. When it stops bubbling, you're done.
The box of baking powder you can then put in the refrigerator to absorb smells. I think I went 25 years, maybe 40, on one box.
YOu should definitely get a set of felt washers that go under battery clamps, one red for the positive terminal and one green for the negative. They are soaked in some pair of chemicals that prevents the white stuff in the first place. IIRC, they suggest replacing them every year or 3, but I've used the same set for 20 years on successive cars and I barely get any white stuff. When you start getting more than the usual amount of white stuff, replace the washers. They only cost a couple dollars. Here's what I mean but they are a lot cheaper if you buy them at a local autoparts store. I think it has to do with shipping costs, that's why they are pushing buying 10 sets. If you bought 10 sets, it would be enough for you and your family for 50 years.
These all suggest baking soda or coke to clean battery terminals
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I wonder why both work given one is acidic and the other basic?
I was curious what the magical solution on the felt was but I only found so far the grease you're supposed to use on terminals after tightening when I googled.
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petrolium jelly (aka vaseline).
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grease is silicone based (and a thickener). Interestingly it says that it's an insulator.
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Lithium Grease Apply the grease AFTER you've tightened the bolts. The purpose of felt washers is to prevent shorts (not prevent corrosion).
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only conductive grease is graphite grease All others are NOT conductive, including dialectric grease. Silicone-based, White Lithium grease, Copper grease, Teflon based, Oil-Based & Wax-based greases are all non conductive.
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Dialectric grease is a non conductive silicon based grease.
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Petroleum Jelly, Lithium Grease & Dialectric grease are all ok.
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one says to use wheel bearing grease on the terminals.
On Feb 03, 2022, Gronk wrote (in article<news:sth4ik$116p3$ snipped-for-privacy@news.mixmin.net>):
Depends on the color.
Greenish-bluish deposits are probably copper sulfate. Cu (s) + 2 H2SO4 ==> CuSO4 (aq) + 2 H2O + SO2 (g) The copper in the terminal clamp reacts with the battery terminal lead.
If it's more white than green and you have aluminum clamps, then it's most likely aluminum sulfate for the same reason as for the copper sulfate.
Whitish powdery corrosion is probably lead sulfate. Pb (s) + H2SO4 (aq) ==> PbSO4 (aq) + H2 (g)
This reference says it forms on the negative terminal more often but I generally see it more often on the positive terminal but I don't know why.
Not everyone agrees with that (and you don't say what that other purpose would be).
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Prevent corrosion around battery terminals and prolong battery life
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The pads will not stop the battery from leaking. They can help prevent corrosion on the terminals. I just use Vaseline.
Elswehere someone says "The felt washers when saturated with heavy oil will wick oil onto the post and clamps to keep off the acid and oxygen that cause the corrosion." but he doesn't say they come saturated with oil, and they don't. They are dry or practically dry. All these ideas with oil and vaseline are messy, imo, compared to the commercially-sold washers.
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I ridiculed buying 10 pair, but here 10 pair are only %9. One for him and one for her, two for the kids, and they can give the other 6 pair as Christmas gifts to people they don't really like.
The magic ingredient is oily wax. The wax would block the acid/liquid on top of the battery from reaching the clamps.
Per two mfg's MSDS:
COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS Name Wt. % Lube oil, 500 SUS 70 Inhibited paraffinic oil 30 Additives are primarily fatty acid and fatty acid esters.
% by weight CAS Number INGREDIENT PEL PPM TLV PPM TLV MG/M3 UEL
88 64742-01-4 Residual Oils None None 5.0 N/A
12 Non-hazardous Additional elements may be evident in trace amounts of less than .01%
I'll admit, I don't know how much of my white-crud-free life is because of better batteries now. I know when I first used the felt washers it made a big difference, but maybe they aren't needed now. OTOH I'm not going to go looking for trouble by taking them off.
It's lead sulfate, and a baking soda wash (as recommended in the manual that comes with the Ford Model A) will remve it. Then spray with battery terminal protectant so it doesn't form again.
You might also consider adding powerpole connectors so you can disconnect the battery with the disconnect point being far from the terminals. More convenient if you do it often.
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