Battery terminals cleaning?

[gbraden]

This may be a stupid question but I want to do the job safely. One of the battery terminals (2 batteries on my truck) shows some corrosion.

My questions:

1. Is there a proper sequence for disconnecting and then reconnecting the battery terminal cables?

2. I assume I should clean all 4 connections even though only one looks corroded?



Thanks,

Glenn

 

[JJPage]

I just cleaned mine a couple weekends ago, they were not corroded but since they are the original cells I decided to clean them. I just disconnected one terminal at a time, starting on the drivers side, no problems. Since the second battery was never disconnected at the same time, I didn't even lose the presets on the radio.



I know I am due for new batteries... they both still show green in the little round window, and they both passed as "GOOD", on my little hand held load bank.

 

[jelag]

Disconnect the grounds(both) first... . than the positives... . the theory is that a wrench touched to the ground when disconnecting the ground will not be a problem and once the ground is open than a wrench touching ground when the positive is taken loose will have no effect ether... . install positive first than negative...

I've always pulled the batteries, washed them in very hot soda water..... dried them off, and than some dielectric grease on the connections and back together... .

All batteries gas around the post. . you used to buy a washer called NO-CO (brand) that would deal with the gasses... . it used to be a mainstay in the Sears Auto Centers... excellent product (NO-CO washers). And the washers would naturalize the gasses as they past by the post...

Years ago I bought a can of them... . 200 or so... and have been working on that can all these years (maybe 35 years) and install them on each vehicle I purchase and have not had a problem... .

But to answer #2, YES clean all posts at once... . remember to use a wire brush or post cleaner before you reinstall the cable...

Hope this helps...

BTW - the Cummins forum suggests a high temp grease or Vaseline...

 

[rjones]

I'm very lazy when it comes to cleaning battery posts however I'm a believer now after having continuous charging issues and just ready to buy a new alternator I cleaned my terminals and bam charging issues stopped so I now clean them regularly and then spray them with LPS3 which seals and dries to a waxy coating they stay looking new... remove Neg first then your Pos. Good Luck