TOPIC:

Do you do anything special to keep your battery terminals from getting corroded? Vaseline or Dielectric grease perhaps? I've heard that if you put that on it will add resistance to the connection. True/Not true?

Di-Electric grease will keep electrical connections from getting corroded. It does not conduct electricity, which is kind of opposite of what you think it would do. When connections are lubed with it, the grease is displaced and metal to metal contact can happen. The grease keeps oxygen from getting in there and causing corrosion, is my guess.
Years ago I used to put Vaseline on my car terminals, but I honestly can't remember if it worked. Now for the car I use the red and green donuts.

They also make a spray on stuff that works just like paint. Just spray it on your terminals after the battery is all hooked up. I don't know what they call it exactly. I never tried it on motorcycles, but it works great on big automotive batteries.

Either Vaseline or dielectric grease will work fine to stop corrosion. Before you put it on, take a weak solution of baking powder and water and clean the terminals with the solution and a tooth brush. Then rinse and apply the Vaseline or grease. The baking powder solution and corrosion will foam up so you might want to avoid getting it on your skin (chemical resistant gloves are likely a good idea).

RonKZ650 wrote:

They also make a spray on stuff that works just like paint. Just spray it on your terminals after the battery is all hooked up. I don't know what they call it exactly. I never tried it on motorcycles, but it works great on big automotive batteries.

Thanks . Had forgotten about this product. Here's the Permatex version with some interesting information.

battery terminal spray

That's very helpful guys, thanks!

Edit: WG, do you apply the dielectric grease before or after attaching the + & - wires to the battery?

Post edited by: Little B, at: 2007/12/11 01:24