greasing battery terminals

wotugonado · December 14, 2014, 17:15

Does anybody know if its true that to help stop the battery discharging in cold weather you can put vaseline or copper grease on the terminals ?
As mines not a daily drive any pointers would be gratefully recieved.

Peter Wright · December 14, 2014, 17:32

Quote from: "wotugonado"Does anybody know if its true that to help stop the battery discharging in cold weather you can put vaseline or copper grease on the terminals ?
As mines not a daily drive any pointers would be gratefully recieved.

Vaseline is basically petroleum jelly I wouldn't put it anywhere near electricals

Markb · December 14, 2014, 17:46

I use a FINE coating of vaseline but to stop corrosion build up not discharging,never had a problem using it.

Good description here....

The problem with leaving the terminals of the batteries and other items in the engine bay bare is a little annoying thing called ELECTROLYSIS. Moisture in the air causes a catalytic reaction between the dissimilar metals (which have different electrical properties) and this can have a serious impact on the life of the battery and not do the terminals a lot of good.

Most people have seen this as the white build up on the terminals, this is actually lead, Nickel and copper salts being produced by the reaction with the Hydrogen and Oxygen making up water.

Using Copper grease is ill-advised as it conducts electricity and be highly unlikely to prevent the reactions. The best course of action is to ensure all the connections are as tight as is practical, then put a thin film of Petroleum Jelly or similar water proof material over the terminal to prevent moisture and the terminals from undergoing the said reactions......

wotugonado · December 14, 2014, 18:11

Differing opinions there, but thanks for the comments. So it may not be an old wives tale after all.
Especially good bit of info there Mark, and you say you've never had a problem ?

Markb · December 14, 2014, 19:13

As I said i just put a light coating on,have done with all my cars for the past 25+ years ,never had an issue,whether its needed these days with more modern batteries is another thing but certainly hasn't caused any problems.......never had this happen anyway s:D

s:D

m http://www.luvyourdrive.com/wp-content/ ... before.jpg m

locobuilder brian · December 14, 2014, 20:04

Vaseline on battery terminals. Its what industry uses.

ChrisGB · December 14, 2014, 20:09

Yep, another vote for Vaseline on the battery terminals. I have never had corrosion issues with terminals treated with a light coating.

wotugonado · December 14, 2014, 21:44

Great ill give it a go. Thanks.

StuC · December 14, 2014, 22:49

Quote from: "wotugonado"Great ill give it a go. Thanks.

Go get your lube Dan!! s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

wotugonado · December 14, 2014, 23:36

Quote from: "StuC"Go get your lube Dan!! s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
did you ever send it back after your big night out with your grinder app? s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

nimrod · December 15, 2014, 10:35

Only apply Vaseline when battery terminals have been secured.

cyclehead · December 15, 2014, 12:59

I've read that corrosion on the terminals is mostly due to sulfuric acid leaking out of the battery casing around the terminal posts. Those add-on felt washers help keep the fumes from reaching your terminals, as will a thin coat of grease. An AGM battery won't have any of those problems.

Mike G · December 17, 2014, 18:33

A lot of manufacturers use the that white lithium based grease...... but like others I've used vaseline for years until I discovered KY , much more comfortable

Markb · December 18, 2014, 17:05

Quote from: "Mike G"A lot of manufacturers use the that white lithium based grease...... but like others I've used vaseline for years until I discovered KY , much more comfortable

Are we still talking batteries here s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

no1trancefan · December 31, 2014, 08:49

i cleaned my terminals up with a dremel and wire brush attachment and still look the same 7 months later didnt put grease or anything on them

2 of the left · December 31, 2014, 23:52

Quote from: "Markb"
Quote from: "Mike G"A lot of manufacturers use the that white lithium based grease...... but like others I've used vaseline for years until I discovered KY , much more comfortable

Are we still talking batteries here s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

Ooooooh Matron""""

Jay67 · January 1, 2015, 14:11

Used Vaseline on battery terminals for years, last time I replaced the battery Stu let me have some from his weekend supply!

Cheers Stu! s:D

s:D

wotugonado · January 1, 2015, 15:23

Oh my !!!!! He seems to have worked his way through that bucket of vaseline, im not sure how.
But by the way he was walking i presumed he'd just been horse riding or something s:P

s:P

StuC · January 1, 2015, 17:59

LMAO thanks guys.

FYI, I have a equal size container of talcum powder for that Dan.

wotugonado · January 1, 2015, 18:11

Quote from: "StuC"LMSAO. Thanks guys (for the great weekend)

Everything has just become clear s:shock: :shock: s:shock:

*s=sore

Joesson · January 1, 2015, 18:51

There is a Corvette that runs on Vaseline!

StuC · January 1, 2015, 19:18

For reference that's what your mum said Dan. s;-) ;-) s;-)

wotugonado · January 1, 2015, 20:02

Quote from: "StuC"For reference that's what your mum said Dan. s;-) ;-) s;-)

Dad Is that you ?

colin123bell · June 12, 2015, 06:27

Quote from: "wotugonado"Does anybody know if its true that to help stop the battery discharging in cold weather you can put vaseline or copper grease on the terminals ?
As mines not a daily drive any pointers would be gratefully recieved.

I use high temp grease on mine as it soaks in and stays in.it soaks into the metal copper crystals of metals inc copper so stops the cables drying out which changes resistance so keeps car healthy.and stops corroded end flare up fires,as lugs burn up at the ends.if too dry,..