Lost Penny

[SatinSilver]

Recently there was a thread about car batteries on here. Someone recommended placing a penny on the battery to help cut down on the positive terminal gunk. There was some back and forth on whether it would work or not. I don't drive fast at all and don't have any tickets, knock on wood.

This was a few weeks ago and I checked this morning to see how it looked. Just a tiny bit of that green fuzz was on the terminal. But the 1982 penny(full copper) was missing which was placed right in the middle. It's a year and half old Exide battery that had the terminal protector applied at install. Oh well. Maybe I'll put another penny on there but would like to put some adhesive on the penny. Not sure what to use though. Just thought I'd give an update.

 

[Donald]

If you have a battery with a proper seal for both battery posts and the alternator is operating properly you should not get any gunk.

 

[SatinSilver]

I paid $55 for it at Rural King. I do remember when the guy was installing it and finishing tightening the negative clamp. The wrench touched the positive clamp causing a brief spark show. He didn't seem to overtighten the clamps. It seems many Exide batteries have this tendency with the green fuzz. If it lasts 3 years I'll be happy. Then I'll get a higher quality battery installed.

 

[Kira]

Clean posts and clean clamps-GET 'EM COMPLETELY CLEAN. I use a mask made of scrap paper and spray the posts, add the clamp and again mask off the top of the battery and spray the clamp.

I had no idea the stuff (terminal protector-Permatex makes one) existed until I bought a battery and the installers used it. NEVER do I have any PbO2 on my lead parts.

 

[Chris142]

Ya exide batts seem to corode alot. An agm batt makes corosion a non issue

 

[SatinSilver]

Originally Posted By: Kira
I had no idea the stuff (terminal protector-Permatex makes one) existed until I bought a battery and the installers used it. NEVER do I have any PbO2 on my lead parts.


I've seen that on Amazon. I won't be using the baking soda mixture since that was a big mess.

 

[Donald]

Maybe its a good thing Exide filed for bankruptcy.

Another is anyone who twists the clamp hard to get it off vs a clamp puller.

 

[earlyre]

i used to get lots of that stuff on the battery in the neon. and the terminals would work themselves loose. I used the permatex protector spray, still got it after a few months.
what seemed to work for me the best(aside from replacing the battery which i did eventually) were the little red & green felt washers. dunno what difference they made, but after putting them on, i got no more corroded terminals.

 

[andyd]

If the top of the battery gets dirty, you can read voltage with a meter between the case and ground. This may interfere with the charging of the battery. I use the felt washers, I soak them in oil. 20 yrs ago , I tried Exide batteries. I will not knowingly buy another one. Stick the penny down with a blob of grease

 

[Charlie1935]

Used do the penny thing years ago. Stick them on with a dab of grease and they would get ate up.

 

[Kira]

Yo, satinsilver, The baking soda and water mixture is not any corrosion preventative. It's used as a cleaner and works well.

Without getting any inside the cells, the baking soda solution does a great job cleaning the case as well as the entire area the battery lives in. You can frequently see fizzing (the solution neutralizing leaked acid) when you wash the effected body panels down.

When you're done you rinse it all down with water. No mess at all. Kira

 

[SatinSilver]

Yo Yo what the dealio? Thanks guys, good stuff. I like the dab of grease idea a lot. Will try that.

I did use the baking soda mixture as a cleaner. I think maybe I used too much of it. Requiring a lot of water to flush which was right by the air intake. Maybe I'll try it again. Much cheaper than the battery cleaner products. Then use a good protectant on it.

So maybe soak the felt washers in oil? Seems like another good idea.

 

[UncleS2]

Count me as another vote for treated felt washers. Since learning of them ~20 yrs ago, every new car battery gets them when installed, NO problems with corroded terminals or clamps.

 

[Vikas]

I put the penny between the clamp and the battery post. That way it stays there.


Actually, I needed that because the clamps were no longer fitting the battery post snugly.