George E. Cawthon wrote:
Doug Miller wrote:

In article , "Ulysses"
wrote:

I suggest you go to the auto parts store and get a battery terminal
cleaner.
They are easier to use than a wire brush. As for the anti-oxidant stuff
they sell for inflated prices I have found that Vaseline works better.



Ummmm.... Vaseline is an electrical insulator. If you apply it between
the terminal and the post -- which is where you *really* need
corrosion prevention -- it ain't gonna work. OxGard, on the other
hand, is conductive, and can be applied where it's needed the most.


How come there is so much corrosion between the terminal and the post?
In most cases they are the same material (lead), so the corrosion isn't
caused by dissimilar materials.

I like what another person wrote--new batteries don't have much
corrosion. So what does that tell you? Maybe cleanliness is a
deterrent and that corrosive gas or corrosive liquids are a problem?

In my experience, covering the whole connection with some type of
material is what prevents corrosion on older batteries. As for
vaseline--it works. And if you put a light coat on the connections
surfaces, it still works because it is thin and squeezes out so you get
a good electrical connection. But, I prefer to have the connection
clean, make the connection and tighten, then rub in whatever you want,
and vaseline is just fine, but I think a heavy grease works better.
Lasts for several years. Best bet is a good battery and charger so you
don't get any spewing of corrosive materials.

I've preferred Kopr-Shield for about 40 years. It used to be available
only through electrical supply houses, but small bottles of have made
their way into the auto supply stores now;

http://autos.idg-usa.com/25002.html

AFAIK It's a light grease loaded with finely divided copper powder which
both prevents corrosion and fills up the microscopic roughness on the
surfaces of the mating parts, increasing the amount of contacting metal.

Jeff

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia

(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)

"Truth exists; only falsehood has to be invented."