New Battery Terminals

[Caryc]

I installed a new 12 volt battery in my 8N. I had new felt washers but I forgot to put them on.

When I attached the battery terminal clamps. I used NO-OX-ID on the clamps, inside and out and on the battery posts.

Is it worth removing the battery clamps again just to put those felt washers on them?

 

[Hobo,NC]

I kill all those useless felt washers I see, NO!

 

[caterpillar guy]

We never used them and junked all that came on things. All they do is collect moisture to make more problems over time.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

The best thing I've found is to stop using wet cell batteries.
I have less oxidation using maintenance free batteries,
especially on lawnmowers. The batteries on mowers bounce around
and a wet cell battery gets wet in the top of the battery, then
terminals oxidize.
I use NO-OX-ID.
Side post batteries have less problems vs top post.
Maintenance free less problems vs wet cells.
A year ago I needed a new battery for my 2007 GMC.
It came with a maintenance free side post.
At RK, my battery store, maintenance free battery is a top post.
So I bought an adapter to go from top to side post.
My 2018 XT5 is an AGM top post.
Zero worry about oxidation if you go AGM.
I don't use the fiber washers you are talking about.

 

[John T]

I can ONLY relate my own personal experience over 50 years in farming, truck n tractors sales and RV's
with countless (well over a hundred Im sure) batteries grrrrrrrrrrr lol OTHERS MAY WELL HAD DIFFERENT
RESULTS AND EXPERIENCES, thats to be expected.

Okay each n every time I thoroughly cleaned n shined the posts,,,,,,,,,Placed felt protective washers
underneath,,,,,,,,,Attached quality terminals,,,,,,,,,,Sprayed the final connection with that red battery
terminal protectant spray I NEVER HAD PROBLEMS LATER

My OPINION is it was the red protective spray coating that did the MOST and was MOST HELP in reducing
problems. The washers may OR may not made a difference ?????? I have no data or tests or experiments nor
can prove or disprove it IM ONLYYYYYYYYYYYYY SAYING WHEN I DID AS ABOVE I HAD NO LATER PROBLEMS.

NOTE 1) If a battery is outgassing extremely (perhaps from over charging,,,,, perhaps from internal
shorts or other battery problems) that contributes to corrosion at the terminals REGARDLESS if all the
above is done correctly.

You did NOT ask other questions so I am purposelty NOT addressing alternate battery types such as AGM
etc.

You ask Is it worth removing the battery clamps again just to put those felt washers on them?

My PREFERENCE would be to use the red protective spray versus removal HOWEVER its YOUR choice and if YOU
want to remove and use the washers thats fine BUT I WOULD THEN STILL USE THE RED SPRAY

Im sure others may agree or disagree and hope they can add more to this

John T

 

[Red Dave]

I've been using No-Ox-Id on battery clamps for 50 years. Works better than the washers or the spray on goop for me. I'd let it alone.

 

[Steve@Advance]

Never had any faith in them. If anything they would hold accumulated electrolyte, further aggravating the problem.

Any time there is an ongoing corrosion problem, it is most often caused by a broken seal around the post. It is very easy to break the seal pounding the cable on, over tightening or loosening a corroded bolt, sometimes even new batteries get broken from stacking or rough handling.

Batteries with removable caps are often over filled, especially when used on off road equipment subject to jarring and tipping. Trying to keep the electrolyte to the rings will result in acid spilling out the top, getting on the terminals, and rotting the tray.

 

[Gomer]

I don't know why, but I have not had corrosion on a car. truck, or tractor battery in 50 years. Any time a cable is removed, I put one drop (or 2)of motor oil on top of the post after the clamp is installed. Don't wipe it off and I do not use the green and red felt washers.

 

[Butch(OH)]

For the last 20 years at least I have been
coating battery terminals with never seize
and it works better than anything else I
have ever used or seen used for that
purpose. I coat the post and the inside of
the terminal, install it and brush the
outside when done.

 

[Mule Meat]

Best stuff I have found is NAPA Open Gear Lube.

 

[Hobo,NC]

Lets say I see more corrosion issues than the average bear. No one likes to take the time to clean a nasty battery, for me its a lost leader and interrupts my schedule. Over my 50 years of on the job case study's (Dat's spose to make me look like a expert in the science of Bat'res)

If possible before I start I clean up the mess with H2O/baking soda mix. I mix up large quantity's then pour into a used dawn dish washing soap bottle. If i am lucky a good dose of the mix and flush off with H2O, if not I have to dig into my stanch of used Tooth brushes. I dry the post then coat (the secret is coming) 9 out of 10 times this puppy is whooped no more delays when the vehicle returns for service again "Life is good".

Lets say I am installing a new bat are going the extra mile.

I run a bead of silicon dielectric compound around the base of the post not the post the base, install the cable end and paint it with dielectric grease. Works for me, make an appointment I will write you a prescription : )...

All those felt washers do is kick the can down the road, once they neutralize out they become a sponge and make a possible issue worst : ( And that bat spray in a rattle can its as worst it also neutralizes out and promotes the issue. Both are short term gains that in time promote the issue. You will not find either in my shop BTDT it was money down the drain.

Truth be known a battery should not leak around the post but it does happen. If it does it can be a warranty issue one that has merit. The same can be said for post that turn black. If you run across that its differently a manufacturing issue don't fight it return it let the seller eat it!!!. That issue cannot be defeated the lead was contaminated at birth.

The one that said stacking the bats cause this just may be on to something. They do stack'em and rattle them around in a delivery truck. I have been playing with Fluid Film let me tell ya it has more uses than the law allows. I have not sprayed bat terminals with it but it has replaced Anti-seize as my go to on the bat mounting hardware.


Anti-seize on a battery terminal, WHUT the ell is the world coming tooooo. Oil, Vaseline, Grease but Anti-seize

 

[DR. EVIL]

I agree with JOHN T. I've never bought any of the felt washers or had them on a car or truck I bought. But
the trucking company I drove for used the red spray terminal coating and as an overall fleet average had very
VERY little battery problems. The semi-tractors I drove the most had air starters and a single 12V battery.
But I did drive an IH S2200 with 290 Cummins with electric starter, four big 6 volt batteries.
On my old FARMALL's I store them with the battery ground cable unhooked. And I've averaged over 20 year
battery life. I don't use them daily, the M I start about every 2-3 years, the Super H moves snow in winter
so starts about a dozen times in 3-4 months.

 

[Hobo,NC]

(quoted from post at 22:00:36 03/12/23) I agree with JOHN T. I've never bought any of the felt washers or had them on a car or truck I bought. But
the trucking company I drove for used the red spray terminal coating and as an overall fleet average had very
VERY little battery problems. The semi-tractors I drove the most had air starters and a single 12V battery.
But I did drive an IH S2200 with 290 Cummins with electric starter, four big 6 volt batteries.
On my old FARMALL's I store them with the battery ground cable unhooked. And I've averaged over 20 year
battery life. I don't use them daily, the M I start about every 2-3 years, the Super H moves snow in winter
so starts about a dozen times in 3-4 months.

The proof is in the pudd'N, those washers and rattle can spray have an expiration date... How long they last is a wild card are a toss up. The other issue is they can interfere with proper fit...

Why not take care of it once and for all, Life will be good.