Extreme Corrosion or Bolt Sauce?!

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by ApS

A meter isn't necessary. Put a 12 (or 6) volt bulb between either battery post and the cable. Turn on (or off) each possible draw. (Headlights, if equipped). Pull fuses to narrow the cause.

As for corrosion: conventional lead-acid batteries continually "out-gas". The out-gassing condenses on top of the battery, such that an indicator (such as the placement of a penny) will show corrosion overnight! Clean the battery top with baking soda, and keep the battery caps depressed.

As for the terminals: I've had excellent luck using ordinary "axle" grease; it's messy, but smeared over every metal part of the battery posts, exposed cable ends and clamps/connectors, the grease keeps those parts in such good shape, I've had to replace them only after they've run out of adjustment (after routine exchanges of batteries).

One would think grease would act like an insulator, but the clamps always make long-lasting connections. (And you may have to grease these parts only once during your entire ownership of the boat or auto). Those red and green rings won't hurt, but they'll get greasy, so their effectiveness may diminish.

What if I have a parasitic draw? There wouldn't be a noticeable difference in brightness as it wouldn't turn on/off but rather be constant.

To test the outgassing suggestion, I've placed the bolt/nut set on my wood workbench rather than the top of the battery.

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[Biggd]

If the gooey substance crawls over to your bench, leave the house ASAP and call an exterminator. Something wants to mate with your nuts!

[loony]

I had a Walmart tractor battery that often, but not always, would not turn over the engine. I too noticed lots of crud on the positive terminal. I found that if the engine was positioned at or just ahead of the power stroke, it wouldn't turn over. If I turned the flywheel maybe 1\2 turn counterclockwise with the palm of my hand it would start every time. I had to clean the terminal often to keep it working. When cleaning the connection, I noticed wetness at the base of the terminal post where it exits the battery case. My guess is that the battery had internal damage and the terminal became resistive, limiting the current.

I got a few more years out of this batter before it gave up.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

What if I have a parasitic draw? There wouldn't be a noticeable difference in brightness as it wouldn't turn on/off but rather be constant. To test the outgassing suggestion, I've placed the bolt/nut set on my wood workbench rather than the top of the battery.

A parasitic draw can be miniscule, so look closely, for the bulb's filament may show only a faint glow.

While the wood work bench may be handy, it would be more scientific to clean the bolt, and place the bolt on a neutral surface, such as a plastic bag.

[trfour]

of battery hold down, if it has an upper case hold down frame, the acid buildup can cause a drain to ground. thinkxingu, Please take a picture.

Terry