Can't keep up with Battery Corrosion. Help Please?!?

[Newf Limo]

My original OEM batteries lasted 7 years! I never plugged my truck in at home, even when we had sub zero temps for 2 months straight. Not only would it turn over but did so strong and started within 3 or 4 revolutions. As in, instantly! Sadly enough, they gave up the ghost at a time when funds were thin, ok so they are still thin.



I ended up buying CAR QUEST batteries since Optimas are just way out of the question (then and now) and the Interstate Batteries that I have always used as replacements in everything were not available (in stock) right at the time I needed them. I bought the Car Quest.



Understand, I NEVER cleaned a battery terminal the first seven years. They were perfect the whole time.



The first set of carquest Batts started corroding my terminals and the battery hold down bolts within weeks. Winter hit a few months later and I had already cleaned the terminals 2 times and even used anti corrosion spray for battery terminals. The first cold snap and the truck wouldn't start. One battery, it turned out, had some internal problem. I had to replace it and eat a significant amount of "useage dollars".



The truck has never cold started as strong as it did with the OEM batteries. I still have HUGE amounts of corrosion that develops in only a few months! The nuts on the battery terminals are being eaten away, I have removed all the accessory leads to the battery a long time ago to rule them out. They were pretty well eaten away to nothing anyways. The terminal to my heater grid relays were eaten away inside. The battery hold down bolts are corroding away where they enter the battery tray at the bottom.



Am I crazy or could this really be from junk, crap Carquest batteries? Do you think I am taking my frustrations out on car quest or is my truck having a serious electrical problem that is feeding back to the batteries? I am not exagerating when I said it literally began with the new Batts.



If i replace them, who makes a good battery these days that don't cost Optima Dollars?



I also think i should replace the battery cable terminals now too. Should I just suck it up and buy OEM replacement cables from the dealer instead? I have never been thrilled about the quality of the metal they use on bolt on replacement terminals. Of course, I haven't done that in 20 years either. That was a more "in my youth" thing.



Merry Christmas all.



Dennis

 

[Mishkaya]

Sorry to hear about your misfortunes! :{

I have heard that taping a penny close to the battery terminal will help reduce corrosion. Never have tried it though as I run DieHard Platinum batteries to avoid the corrosion issue all together. If the problem is not from the batteries themselves, it might be from them being overcharged for one reason or another. Sorry I can't be of any more help; hopefully someone else with more experience will chime in with some sage advice.

 

[NIsaacs]

I hear you loud and clear! I am having the exact some problem with the Car Quest batteries. Like you, my originals were like brand new as far as being clear of corrosion, none whatsoever. These just continue to get worse as time goes on.



In all fairness, I don't think it is the Car Quest brand. Rather it is the type/style. They are considered maintenance free, however they have caps. The originals did not. They were the Delco style with the sight glass. I feel the caps let the acid fumes flow all over the battery area, while the non cap style use small vents, more controlled? I recently noticed that Car Quest and Napa have since changed to the non cap style batteries. Maybe this is becoming the trend?



Just my thoughts on the subject.



"NICK"

 

[Newf Limo]

Thanks guys.



That is interesting Nick. I'm glad I am not the only one, yet sorry at the same time. At least there is a common denominator.



I will have to look at some new batteries and look out for caps. That makes a lot of sense, since the hold down rod for the battery terminates at both ends into a bolt (clip) mounted in plastic! Where is the connection? Hmmm, fumes... . you are likely on to something.



Any recommendations on replacing my positive battery cables with OEM from the dealer versus ----???

 

[Mishkaya]

Thanks guys.



Any recommendations on replacing my positive battery cables with OEM from the dealer versus ----???

If you want really nice battery cables, probably not much more than the dealer will charge (maybe even less)...

Heavy Duty, Aftermarket, Custom Battery Cables for your Car, Truck or RV

 

[Wingate]

If you have a local Caterpillar dealer, you might stop by and see what they have. Of course, they won't be able to look up your truck, you will just have to have your dimensions, terminal type, and cranking amp requirements. I'm sure somebody actually makes them for Cat, but they are really built well...

My service truck had factory Delcos that never corroded the terminals, but really had a short life due to the high electrical loads. (electric over hydraulic 6K crane, air compressor starter, 1200w power inverter, tons of cordless stuff that stays on charge, and auxillary exterior lighting)

All of our trucks now have Cat batteries and none have ever corroded and hold up very well to the loads and abuse...

I assume the penny trick is being used like a sacrificial anode???... hhhmmm. . may have some merrit, might be worth trying.

I have bought some battery post boots for my batteries, although I haven't installed them yet. and typically, I will clean everything, make the connection, then cover it completely in dielectric grease then put the boot over it and ty-wrap it in place... .

 

[TFucili]

I just put a pair of Deka Ultimates in my truck http://www.eastpenn-deka.com/assets/base/0259.pdf

 

[PToombs]

I use those little donuts that go under the battery terminals. They seem to cut the corrosion down a lot. I just put 2 new Carquest batteries in my 97, it figures I didn't put the donuts on. I'll have to get some and get them in there.

 

[BDaugherty]

I would guess that your OEM batteries were the sealed maintenance free type. I bet the CQ batteries that you have now have the vent caps on top which are letting gas/acid out of the battery which is what's causing the corrosion. If you can't afford to change batteries to a sealed gel cell or sealed maintenance free style, clean the top of the battery thoroughly. Make sure your cables and ends are clean as well. Put them back on the battery and then use chassis grease to protect all exposed metal from corrosion. It sticks like vaseline, but conducts electricity instead of insulating. Also, it's cheap and easy to clean off at service time.

 

[PBJ2500CTD]

A lot of the cheaper aftermarket batteries do not seal well where the post goes into the battery case causing corrosion at the terminals. Also, venting through the caps with a cheaper designed cap can cause excessive battery fluid to escape, making a mess out of any unprotected metals... sadly, often times you get what you pay for...

 

[Jefff929]

Humm...



I thought it was just me slaking on maintenance.



The I had the truck in the Dodge dealers shop for something else and they said the batteries needed replaced. I figured yep it is time, go ahead; I didn't have time to do it myself. #@$%! They too put in some batteries that were not as good as the original OEM ones, I have the same corrosion. I use plenty of the red poop on the terminals but it didn't stop the acid from eating the hold downs ect.

 

[ata]

A lot of the cheaper aftermarket batteries do not seal well where the post goes into the battery case causing corrosion at the terminals. Also, venting through the caps with a cheaper designed cap can cause excessive battery fluid to escape, making a mess out of any unprotected metals... sadly, often times you get what you pay for...

Like said here the battery POSTS are leaking around the base. The felt rings will help but not for long. The ACID comes up from around the bottom of the posts under what ever you put on them and just starts eating from the inside out. It's time to just get better BATTERY'S before the ACID VAPORS leach out on to your fenders and ruin the paint. (through the hood fender seam)

 

[BILLVO]

I use those little donuts that go under the battery terminals. They seem to cut the corrosion down a lot. I just put 2 new Carquest batteries in my 97, it figures I didn't put the donuts on. I'll have to get some and get them in there.

I have used them on batteries with corrosion issues in the past also and they work excellent. Never had one corrode after putting them on a post.

 

[JLEONARD]

I also have to say that any battery that I have put the donuts on did not corrode. Period.

I've certainly had my share before I learned though.

 

[FOXY005]

Well I have to jump in here and say I put new Interstate Batteries in my truck a year ago.

Put on the noncorrode washers / donuts when installing the batteries and still had corrusion occuring on the terminals within 2 to 3 months.

Cleaned them up and coated them with Di-electric grease and the corrosion is still comming back. When it warms up a little I will have to clean them again and recoat them I guess.

I hope someone has an easy solution for this pain in the butt problem short of new batteries.

 

[NIsaacs]

I always use the little chemically treated washers on all my batteries. However they are not working on these. The posts and the hold down bolts are trashed. The biggest mess I have ever experienced in batteries.



I was going to replace them with Interstate ones but now am unsure. FOXY005, are yours the cap style or non cap type? My '91 Dodge is ten years older than this truck but they are not as bad. Whats the deal? Help someone!!



"NICK"

 

[hcole]

After reading this thread about battery corrosion, I'm wondering if the clatter and resultant vibration of the Cummins engine might be responsible for this problem. Maybe the vibration of the engine is shaking loose the terminals on the batteries if they aren't built to cope with this vibration. I'm still on my original batteries but I think I may have to get some new ones before winter is over and I intend to look at the construction of the posts and how they are made into the rest of the battery. My originals haven't corroded yet. This thread has got me wondering about their construction. Thanks to all for their replies.

 

[Bob Cochran]

I have the Optima so of course no corrosion problems. Corrosion is cause by battery fumes getting between the post and terminals. If you are in colder climes I am thinking the batteries get drawn down more than other other vehicles(gassers). Between grid heaters, oh and sensor under battery, older batteries, loose terminal connections, causing higher charge current when cold especially could be causing it. So the batteries get drawn down, high charge current, battery gassing and terminal corrosion. All the above remedies or combination helps. Oh this is another reason I replace both batteries at same time. If one is a little weak it will catch the most charging current and gas more.

 

[Skydiver]

Some good info. LONG reading.

Batteries -- and Other Electric Stuff by phred

 

[FOXY005]

Nisaacs



My Interstates do have caps