jmrec100

Been working on my Jeep. had battery disconnected. When i reconnected it, cleaned up terminals, connections etc. So nice and shiny. Couple days later, all kinds of that normal 'bad' battery crap corrosion on the positive terminal. How and why so quick and ugly. The battery is getting old but this 'stuff' caked all over it is a problem. What caused it?
I put rubber donuts under each terminal, adhesive backed so stayed in place. Some grease over it . Wonder if getting some kind of reaction?
Just now wiped the crap from the + terminal . Seemed warm. Thinking now that crap grew, connected to the battery hold down bar and making a complete electrical circuit. Battery is essentially dead. I'm disconnecting the battery now and will deal will cleaning it and charging the battery tomorrow.
While asking battery. And I'll need a new one sometime soon, is there a bigger more CCA battery that fits rather than the stock 58 group. I think 58?

askingxforxit

If there was corrosion in the cable it'll build back up quick. Replace the cables, clean terminals again, and use a light coating of battery terminal lube found at most auto parts stores (the kind in the little packets by the register)

jmrec100

I was thinking exactly that. Seems my battery cable is a little junked up. That's ok, needed something to do. (chuckle)
Thanks

Metmknice

Also, pick up some battery terminal protector from your local parts store.
I run a 34/78 battery in my heep.

jmrec100

Does the 34/78 fits with no issue or mods? Higher CCA than the 58 standard?

CrawdadSlim

Old batteries can leak gasses that cause corrosion. These gases are also an explosion hazard. Not sure if it's the case here but something to think about.

Comanche1987

I bought the absolute cheapest 3 year free replacement warranty battery available.

Walmart Maxx-75N 700CCA/875CA.


This is a side post, I used screw in side post adapters and put my stock cables onto them.

salad

I certainly advocate the new battery and cable route.

Corrosion buildup on the terminals and discharge of hydrogen gas is a normal byproduct of the charging process in ALL open lead-acid batteries (maintenance free != sealed). Old batteries that don't hold a charge very well anymore are worse at holding a charge, likewise ****ty cables are worse at transferring a charge, so this happens a lot faster than when new. Yours appears to be an extreme case.

I'm running a group 34/78 dual terminal battery in my '99. Beware of the side terminals on most dual terminal batteries: they are not rated for much current. Mine I believe is only 100A or so; intended for accessory use only. Hanging the starter or alternator off of these will lead to the terminal connections melting over time.

As for your new battery don't get a stupid dense one. Packing that many lead plates in such a small space just leads to failure as vibration causes cells to short internally. 550 CCA was enough with a new battery, cables, and starter. 670 is the smallest I could find with a good warranty and I'm very pleased. Leave the lights in for hours and starts right up!

jmrec100

Found the problem and could not believe it. Cleaned all up, everything. Charged the battery. Took charge well to 12.4 volts. Installed it. Started Jeep right up. Came back looking at a few other things. Found the positive post was wet. Thought for filling the overflow bottle. Wiped up. More water 15 minutes later. Pulled off the terminals. The POST . Battery acid seeping up the post. Never had that happen. I epoxied it up, filling the gap. Look to buy a new battery later. When I really have to. Couldn't believe it. So what happened. Leaked of course towards the battery hold down top clamp. When enough, made complete circuit. That's why felt warm when I pushed the greenish blue crap away. Actually began melting the case on top. The + sign melted/gone. And some around the post where it leaked.
See if the epoxy will seal it for a while. Shame to buy another battery when know have a year left. Battery has been locked down tight in the compartment. Cables tight on battery and cables have plenty of play so that wasn't an issue. Weird.

It's a two year warranty battery right after the 2 year mark. So I'll nurse it until have to buy another.

jmrec100

See you just bought it too. 3/14 sticker. Any issues of the top clamp edge holding part touching the positive terminal? Be a direct short to ground?

I like buying batteries from Walmart if I have to buy. Always the 3 year. Was 5 year but now some 3 year free, plus 2 pro rate or something like that. But previous batteries lasted. Just up until warranty was up. Brought in, They tested it-bad. here you go. Walk out the door new battery, new warranty. Now warranty a little different but still no hassle at all. Besides, not too many battery manufacturing plants so pretty much batteries are pretty similar.
So far this year, brought in 2 batteries, both at end of life. Here you go, no charge. But warranty less. And a third one I got from the junkyard Walmart labeled for around $15 after I returned a bad battery core I had. Its 3 year battery, had less than a year on it. Doing fine. And Walmart has honored them. Done it before. I look for good, short used batteries labeled Walmart. Now the batteries went up to $26. It's hit or miss finding them.

djb383

I've found that just a drop or 2 of motor oil (once in a while) on the terminals/clamps and where the cable disappears into the insulation works great. Haven't seen battery corrosion in years.

jmrec100

I've greased the terminals too. Never an issue. Except this case where the battery acid seeped up the post. Yeck. Either my epoxy holds or new battery. new battery soon any way. Just putting off the expense.

RTorrez1

Unfortunately WalMart only give the 3 year warranty now and they don not prorate there batteries any more. So once the 3 years are up you have to buy a new battery. I just found this out a couple of months ago when my battery took a dump and I needed a new one.

CrawdadSlim

Buy a new battery before it explodes. Don't try to charge a leaking battery unless your ok with being horribly disfigured.

RTorrez1

As CrawdadSlim said buy yourself a new battery as soon as possible and don't try to charge it as it is. Don't even try to start is in that shape. All it would take is one spark and and you will have a bigger mess then you have now.