Probably a silly battery question

Post by **moggie-tom** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 11:22 am

The negative terminal keeps producing a sort of fluffy powder. I'm guessing I should get a new battery as I don't know how long this one has been fitted. Are there different types of battery and what kind would I need?

Post by **mike.perry** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 11:56 am

A silly answer. Is your car pos or neg earth? Neg earth cars tend to produce less corrosion across the the terminals. I expect that someone will give a technical explanation. Greasing the terminals helps prevent corrosion.
As long as the battery is holding a charge then you don't need a new one. When you get fed up starting the car on the handle is the time to change it.

Post by **dalebrignall** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 1:49 pm

pour some boiling water out of the kettle dry off andput grease or vassaline on the terminals.

Post by **PSL184** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:03 pm

Electrolytic corrosion caused by flow of ions between mismatched materials - quite normal just clean and grease as above.....

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 10:49 pm

If the terminal connector has rotted away badly - fit a new one before it snaps!

Post by **moggie-tom** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 11:06 am

It's only recently started happening so it should be ok and I put some grease on. It's unlikely that I need a new battery then? Also it is wired negative earth.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 11:18 am

Yes -unlikely you need new battery!

Post by **alainmoran** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 7:52 pm

If the negative lead from your battery bolts straight onto the car then you have -ve earth, if however the -ve lead goes to the solenoid then you have +ve earth (assuming the battery was put in the right way around)