I did the big 3 and replaced my + terminal with a deluxe (de-LUX, s0n, deLUXE!) terminal that accepted the 1/0 that I used.

Now the terminal is covered with fuzzy deposits.

1. What causes them?
2. How can I clean them?
3. How can I prevent reoccurrance?
4. Can I profit?

 

Did you use fuzzy washers? I have no idea how they work but they seem to prevent corrosion, which is what it sounds like you have. They also make anti corrosive spray/grease/gel that you put on your terminal that will prevent it.

^^Profit? You decide, it involves spending more money

 

No fuzzy washer, but adding one seems like a cheap fix...

 

That's what they're made for. Die-electric grease will do it too.

 

Even if you clean it, once its there it can re-occur pretty easily without preventative maintanence. Get a terminal brush and the washers the the red grease stuff, should be good then. I need a new battery .

 

2. pretty sure baking soda does the trick

 

warm water and baking soda.

Next time you need the Ultimate set, not the deluxe.

 

ya my family has 2 battery techs in it. most the battery terminal cleaners are nothing more than arm & hammer baking soda and usally a grease to help prevent it in the future. just make a 50/50 water bakingsoda mix. pour it on it. let it sit for 5-10 mins then scrub it off (wearing eye protection) and your good to go.

 

Mexcelent suggestions.

How do I avoid the recurrance, the donut and the grease?

 

Seems like the 'fuzz' is most likely sodium hydroxide (given that one of the main components of batteries is hydrochloric acid). This would explain why using baking soda is appropriate. My guess is, it's unavoidable as long as you have a battery with acid, in it. Unless it's hermetically sealed and can't react with the moisture in the air, not gonna happen.

Edit: could even be lead hydroxide (which is even worse) given that the leads on batteries are most likely lead. Nasty.

 

I use emery cloth to clean the terminals, put a thin layer of dialectric on the term/connector, and spray with battery terminal protector(blue spray). I've never had corrosion on any of my batteries.
Also I assume you have a 1/0 ground wires too right?

 

I heard someone say you can put Vasline on it and it would keep teh fuzzies from coming back.

 

yea I use like scolding hot water baking soda 50/50 mix and get at it with a wire brush. Honestly the red tops seem to have less of a problem with corosian which is another plus, I have only had to do this once for having the car for two years.

 

Yep, pretty much any grease would work

 

Yes, 1/0 on alt-batt and battery to chasis ground.

Only the +++ gets the fuzzy.

 

BTW, corrosion is one thing and damage is another. I remember I had to have my original battery replaced because the terminals were "sweating". Thats the term the mechanic used. Basically it means that there is a small crack around the terminals and it is kinda leaking. There was white granulated, thick salt like particles just around the bottom of the terminals. I would clean it and it would come back. Battery was replaced, terminals were greased with dialectirc grease and I've never had problems since then.

 

Works very well.... Did it on my ex-gf's Camry when her terminal broke and nothing since then... Cleaned the terminals with a wire brush, too.