[ausev] Battery Terminal Corrosion - what to do?

[Brian Lasseter]

On Tue, Jul 29, 2008 at 8:37 AM, Rob <rob at zehicle.com> wrote:
> I was watering the RAVolt's batteries this weekend when I noticed that one
> of the battery terminals is corroded.  The powered is bluish and there is no
> acid splash around the terminal.  Pictures are on my blog:
> http://ezehicle.com/archives/639
>
> Suggestions?  Concerns?

It's Cupric Sulfate ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper%28II%29_sulfate

It's formed by the reaction of Sulfuric Acid (in the air, bubbling off
from the battery) with the exposed copper of the battery wire lugs.
On the plus side... It's no longer reactive after forming Cupric
Sulfate, so it will not hurt anything.  And another positive, is that
it's the copper lugs that are corroding... and they can be replaced
much easier than the lead battery terminals.   :-)

I do not think it's a big problem.  If you were really concerned, you
could re-tin the copper lugs, or put some waterproof paint over the
lugs and terminals.  Waterproof paint would make it much more annoying
to change / remove your wiring at a later date though.   :-/


-- 
TTFN,
Brian "Lasso" Lasseter

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