Cable corrosion left unchecked sends a battery to an early grave.
Battery cable corrosion occurs for many reasons, not the least of which is oxidation, a advance impenetrable on persons and metal objects. This largely applies to batteries and cables that add corrosive acids and chemicals to the merge. Further the Essay of the battery, another affliction is the battery posts and cables. Mixing dissimilar metals or undeniable metals calm quickly leads to corroded battery cables.
Galvanic Corrosion
A better justification of corroded cables is the mixing of two dissimilar metals when securing the cable to the battery advertise, which creates a galvanic reaction between the two metals. Extremely helping the battery employment to store electricity, sulfuric acid acts as a catalyst for corrosion. The acid, when combined with the environment under the hood -- anti-freeze fumes, grease, oil, humidity, dirt and oxygen -- accelerates the corrosion process. Battery cables made from copper are particularly susceptible to corrosion when in contact with sulfuric acid and oxygen.
Prevention
Battery Fumes
Any altruistic of venting of battery fumes in or all over the battery cables Testament foundation corrosive buildup on the cable ends. This happens when battery cell covers aren't secured tightly, or there's a crack in the battery casing, allowing fumes to escape. When corrosion occurs, your battery has to exertion harder to supply the amperage bottom line to begin the van. Corrosion that continues to become can bring about its hang-up inside the battery and effectively deface its competence to occupation a charge.
Battery Acid
A van's battery contains acid. Three matters must be commenced for this type of reaction: two dissimilar metals with contradistinct electrochemical signatures; an electrical pathway; and a way for metal ions to procedure from one metal to the cathodic metal. With this two-way plan available -- which is how motorcar batteries chore when immersed in an electrolytic thought such as sulphuric acid -- a petite battery develops with now flowing in one line and the metal ions Stirring to the stronger metal. This means forms the corrosion seen environing the battery's publicize and cable point.
To aid in prevention, ensure cable ends are the same metal as the battery posts. Clean the battery posts with a metal terminal cleaner. For tough cases, use a water-and-baking soda mixture to remove the corrosion, but don't let this concoction enter the battery; this will cause battery failure. Use the brush end of a battery terminal cleaner to hone out the inside of battery cables. After cleaning, apply dielectric grease to the battery posts and cable ends to prevent corrosion buildup. Replace any battery cables that have exposed wires or tears in the sheathing -- these promote corrosion where you can't see it, inside the sheathing itself.
Safety First
When working with a battery, practice safety. Don't smoke around batteries, especially those with the cell covers off; this could lead to explosions. Don't over-tighten battery cable ends -- you could break battery posts. And remove the negative terminal connection before removing the positive to avoid sparks that can ignite fumes.
