Hey guys, how do I prevent this corrosion on my battery cables that takes place when I've got the amp wire hooked up to the battery. I guess it's caused by a reaction between the lead and the aluminum (?) of the amp cable connector...some sort of terminal I can buy or something?

Right on.

 

Vasoline, but it's messy. They sell stuff at auto parts stores that red an tacky feeling but I can't/wont recomend it.

 

they have a spray @ pepboys anti corrosion stuff its like a bluish spray.

 

I can vouch for the red paint-on stuff's effectiveness, but what works BEST is Cramolin paste, made by Caig Laboratories. I've been an electronic tech for 20 years, and I have been using Caig products almost as long.
Good stuff.

 

Baking soda just pour 'er on there and none of that battary acid will touch ur precious termanals. But if your not cheep like me, just go to the Canadian tire or wherever and buy a bottle of that spray on stuff.

 

You could just get a new battery terminal from a car stereo shop so you can use it as a distribution block. It uses allen set screws to hold the wires in place, and Ive NEVER seen one corrode. They usually have multiple size combinations, as well as numbers of wires they support. Just go to Car Toys or something and check it out.

~T.J.

 

I never did like the top clamp-type connectors, especially if you want to add additional wires to it. Lousy connections, to my mind.
The last time I bought a battery I made sure it had side posts. I use the side posts (3/8" bolt) with heavy copper, soldered, connectors. And a star washer to be extra sure of a good contact. The red paste gets smeared over top.
This is my 4ga to the alt, 4ga to the starter, and 8ga to the fusible links. There are other ways to do it, no doubt, but when I tighten that bolt down I know I have good contact. And less corrosion.



If your battery doesn't have side posts, I would use the red paste all the same and pour water over the terminals often to keep the corrosion down. (Although baking soda works well to clean the terminals, don't use it if you have a battery where you are still able to remove the covers, maintenance free or not: the soda will neutralize the acid in the battery if it gets in.)
Use water to clean the terminals. Often. And lots of it. I use a garden hose (even with the small amount I get) so that the residue doesn't come to rest below the battery and eat the paint in the engine bay.

Now I have to find some Cramolin paste as Wankleguy suggested and try it...

-John.

 

I just use Mobil1 grease from my grease gun. Same stuff I use for wheel bearings, ball joints, u-joints, etc...

 

Baking soda works well to neutralize corrosion that is already present, but does nothing to inhibit further corrosion. I'd also scrub that rusty tray with baking soda, then treat it with phosphoric acid to convert the rust, then prime and paint it.

 

remember to watch out for battery acid wear gloves ! ! !

 

Soda ( coke ) will also neutralize the corrosion. But the wire brush is best to remove the stuff. A good perventive measure is putting a older ( I think the newer penny has less copper in them ) penny ( 2 or 3 ) on top of the battery. The corrosion will go to the copper penny first, then change the penny when needed. Don't laugh the penny does work.
chuck

 

Graphite paste works pretty well to keep the corrosion from occuring. (the kind in the can that you brush on) I cover my terminals and posts with it.