Using Vaseline on Battery Terminals
For years I've heard the advice to coat battery posts & terminals with
Vaseline to prevent corrosion. I've never done it because it seems like the grease would act like an insulator and impede electrical conduction between the posts and terminals. Do others who use it have any problems with conduction? If not, why do you think that's so? |
Using Vaseline on Battery Terminals
jim evans > wrote:
>For years I've heard the advice to coat battery posts & terminals with >Vaseline to prevent corrosion. I've never done it because it seems >like the grease would act like an insulator and impede electrical >conduction between the posts and terminals. It's good advice. The thing is, the grease is an insulator, but it's squeezed out by the contacts being forced together. Because the contacts are both soft lead, this is fairly easy. And vaseline is a very good insulator. >Do others who use it have any problems with conduction? If not, why >do you think that's so? No, it's fine. It's not as effective as a grease that has an actively reducing compound in it to prevent corrosion, but it's cheap and better than nothing. --scott -- "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis." |
Using Vaseline on Battery Terminals
On Wed, 13 May 2009 14:05:45 -0500, jim evans
> wrote: >For years I've heard the advice to coat battery posts & terminals with >Vaseline to prevent corrosion. I've never done it because it seems >like the grease would act like an insulator and impede electrical >conduction between the posts and terminals. > >Do others who use it have any problems with conduction? If not, why >do you think that's so? I've never used it. And I have not had problems with terminal corrosion. My practice has been to put connectors on clean and tight, and to wipe down the battery and connectors with a clean dry rag when I do an oil change. --Vic |
Using Vaseline on Battery Terminals
On May 13, 3:05*pm, jim evans > wrote:
> For years I've heard the advice to coat battery posts & terminals with > Vaseline to prevent corrosion. * *I've never done it because it seems > like the grease would act like an insulator and impede electrical > conduction between the posts and terminals. * > > Do others who use it have any problems with conduction? *If not, why > do you think that's so? Nope, it works great. I've also used silicone grease (AKA dielectric grease) and that works just as well. nate |
Using Vaseline on Battery Terminals
On Wed, 13 May 2009 15:19:01 -0400, Scott Dorsey wrote:
> jim evans > wrote: >>For years I've heard the advice to coat battery posts & terminals with >>Vaseline to prevent corrosion. I've never done it because it seems >>like the grease would act like an insulator and impede electrical >>conduction between the posts and terminals. > > It's good advice. The thing is, the grease is an insulator, but it's > squeezed out by the contacts being forced together. Because the contacts > are both soft lead, this is fairly easy. > > And vaseline is a very good insulator. Water is, too...actually, water is an EXCELLENT insulator! It's the impurities, such as metals and salts that are conductive in water. If you could get pure, clean water with no minerals, etc you could cool your computer with it like this: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...fans,1203.html > >>Do others who use it have any problems with conduction? If not, why >>do you think that's so? > > No, it's fine. It's not as effective as a grease that has an actively > reducing compound in it to prevent corrosion, but it's cheap and better > than nothing. > --scott |
Using Vaseline on Battery Terminals
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Using Vaseline on Battery Terminals
jim evans wrote:
> For years I've heard the advice to coat battery posts & terminals with > Vaseline to prevent corrosion. I've never done it because it seems > like the grease would act like an insulator and impede electrical > conduction between the posts and terminals. > > Do others who use it have any problems with conduction? If not, why > do you think that's so? While the vasoline MAY be squeezed out from within the connection, the normal way to apply it is AFTER the connection is made. That is, with the cable connected to the battery post, paint the vasoline around the connector, on all exposed lead and other metal. Vasoline basically IS grease. It is just refined and cleaned up so you are willing to use it on your body. BTW, if there is corrosion, neutralize the area with baking soda and clean up as thoroughly as possible before putting the vasoline on. |
Using Vaseline on Battery Terminals
"Don Stauffer" > wrote in message ... > jim evans wrote: > > For years I've heard the advice to coat battery posts & terminals with > > Vaseline to prevent corrosion. I've never done it because it seems > > like the grease would act like an insulator and impede electrical > > conduction between the posts and terminals. > > > > Do others who use it have any problems with conduction? If not, why > > do you think that's so? > > > While the vasoline MAY be squeezed out from within the connection, the > normal way to apply it is AFTER the connection is made. That is, with > the cable connected to the battery post, paint the vasoline around the > connector, on all exposed lead and other metal. While I basically agree with this statement I always put it on before connecting the cable because I have lots of problems with corrosion and it helps to keep that down. If it is in any way reducing the conductivity I really can't tell. For me it works out better than to have corrosion build up between the connector and the terminal. > > Vasoline basically IS grease. It is just refined and cleaned up so you > are willing to use it on your body. > > BTW, if there is corrosion, neutralize the area with baking soda and > clean up as thoroughly as possible before putting the vasoline on. |
Using Vaseline on Battery Terminals
On Thu, 14 May 2009 08:38:50 -0500, Don Stauffer
> wrote: > the normal way to apply it is AFTER the connection is made. You might want to google around. I think you will find that isn't the typical instructions, that's why I asked. |
Using Vaseline on Battery Terminals
"Ulysses" > wrote in
: > > "Don Stauffer" > wrote in message > ... >> jim evans wrote: >> > For years I've heard the advice to coat battery posts & terminals >> > with Vaseline to prevent corrosion. I've never done it because >> > it seems like the grease would act like an insulator and impede >> > electrical conduction between the posts and terminals. >> > >> > Do others who use it have any problems with conduction? If not, >> > why do you think that's so? >> >> >> While the vasoline MAY be squeezed out from within the connection, >> the normal way to apply it is AFTER the connection is made. That is, >> with the cable connected to the battery post, paint the vasoline >> around the connector, on all exposed lead and other metal. > > While I basically agree with this statement I always put it on before > connecting the cable I do this too. But then my cable connectors are aluminum, and have little barbs that bite into the battery post when they're tightened. Old-style lead clamps that are smooth on the inside may not provide enough "bite" to get through the grease film. However, since the posts are tapered, it's possible the bottom of the lead clamp is wedged on firmly enough to make proper contact in spite of the grease. > because I have lots of problems with corrosion Then your post-to-case seal is broken. This is usually due to some sort of mishandling or overtightening. Treat your battery with kindness and care, and ye shalt remain corrosion- free, forevermore. -- Tegger |
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