White powder formed on battery terminal

[xagna]

Got the Dsport mag December issue. It has a tech article on electrical wiring which I needed. :hs:

And I found this strange picture. On page 42 is a large picture of a battery. The thing that I feel curious is the battery terminals. Both + and - terminals are covered with some white powders. What is this powder? Is this some kind of additive or some thing that is dangerous and need to be cleansed right away?

[!Zar!]

Either it is to help conduction and/or prevent corrosion. Or is is corrosion. That's my guess. A picture would be help more though.

[FaLKoN240]

If it looks like powder, and is built up around the terminals that IS corrosion, and can hinder the conductance of the battery to the terminals. IIRC the only thing I've seen on battery terminals that helps conductance is some red gel stuff, that is on it when it's new. But that usually comes off once you install it.

[Dousan_PG]

get some real coca-cola (no knockoff/copy)
pour it on there and wipe off
then get some stuff 240Falkno suggests for future nastiness prevention.

[!Zar!]

Now that I think about it, shouldn't the mag have a caption telling you what it is... And like I said I think it's corrosion.

[2iv0 sx]

sprite also works...

[xagna]

No captions... :mad: Dsport is pretty untight with captioning. Thanks a lot for the infos.

[94cc0rd]

of water + baking soda...

[andrewmp6]

its corrosion is should look like a pile of baking soda kinda just clean it off make sure you get the post and the terminals clean as you can

[cotbu]

You've got to be kidding!!:keke:

[!Zar!]

You've got to be kidding!!:keke:
Depending on whatever you think someone is kidding about, the corrosion will come off with everything that's been named, and is does look like baking soda. Depending on how bad it is.

[cotbu]

Surely not kidding about what it looks like, or even how to clean it (hence the many ways). Preventing it is a differnt matter. I'v Given the same senerio to an 8yr old. And he said "battery acid" or "catrossion". Guess what he said he would clean it with? "Gloves and a wire brush". I asked him, "tell me how to prevent it?" He said "I don't know". He's know on the internet looking for a cure!!!

I really thought it was common knowledge.

[S14DB]

Yeah, it's anthrax...

The battery burps out when charging or when it is hot out. Mostly water but there is some acid with it.

There is sprays but those are messy. The best thing seems to be the little disks. Red for positive and Green for Neg. They go under the clamps, around the posts.

[FaLKoN240]

Surely not kidding about what it looks like, or even how to clean it (hence the many ways). Preventing it is a differnt matter. I'v Given the same senerio to an 8yr old. And he said "battery acid" or "catrossion". Guess what he said he would clean it with? "Gloves and a wire brush". I asked him, "tell me how to prevent it?" He said "I don't know". He's know on the internet looking for a cure!!!

I really thought it was common knowledge.

Watch out guys.. this guy knows some genious kids that are smarter than Zilvians.

[element240]

wow this thread...sucks.
GOOGLE: battery terminal cleaner
you will find many types of terminal cleaners.
then use baking soda/water like a guy said a few posts up.
then just put some die-electric grease on the terminals.

[!Zar!]

*Retracting what I was about to say*

[enen11]

spray paint works too to seal it.

[Irukandji]

I used Safeway brand diet coke that was sitting in my frig for a while. And yes it DID work.

[Pank]

spray paint works too to seal it.

please tell me you're not spray painting the post then putting the clamp on, then wondering why your car smells bad

[axiomatik]

diet soda is a good choice as it won't leave the battery sticky

[nismochick91]

you could just simply wipe off the battery and clean it really good w/ soap and water and then put some lube on it to keep it from corroding anymore. That's what i did (lube=auto lube(vasaline might work))

[enen11]

after...never said car smelled

*edit and also not my car...customer's cars. i use those "green/red disks" things

[Tenchuu]

I am sad to inform you that white stuff on you battery is the first sighn that your car may have a STD. check for herpes.

[NemeGuero]

SNORT IT! Hahaha

[95zilvia]

Disconnect terminals.
CLean it off with water and baking soda, or a coke or something.
Wipe it clean.
Place green and red disks that you bought from local auto store on posts.
Replace terminals with positive first, negative last, and tighten.
You're good to go.

[SRd240sx]

i usually clean it off with a wire brush thing made for battery terminals, it's normal