Battery terminal cleaning method

Battery fouling can cause current leakage and shorten battery life. Keeping battery terminals clean not only helps extend battery life, it also helps save money.

Lead or acid batteries or automobile batteries

1. Contact and evaluate the battery. You do not need to remove the entire battery for inspection or cleaning. To reach the battery, you simply open the hood and find its location. Check the general condition of the car battery. If the battery housing breaks, you should replace the whole battery. If the battery appears to be intact, proceed to the next step.

2. Assess the corrosion status. Lift the plastic or rubber cover on top of the battery and pull it aside. This will expose the position of the terminal post or connecting clip. Check the battery cable and clip for excessive wear or corrosion. The corrosion is a white, grayish - looking deposit around one or two battery poles. If there is extensive wear and tear, you may need to completely replace the cable and clamp in case of future problems. However, if the cables and clamps appear to be in good condition with only a small amount of sediment, you can clean them according to the following instructions.

3, disconnect the car battery. You must disconnect the battery before starting. You need to use a wrench to loosen the nut of the clamp. Once released, remove the negative terminal clip labeled "-". This is a very important order. Only when the negative terminal clamp is removed can the positive terminal clamp labeled "+" be removed. Wiring clamps can be difficult to remove, especially in the case of heavy corrosion. You may need to remove them with pliers. If you really need to use any metal tool (such as pliers), be careful not to let the tool touch the frame (or any metal objects) and the battery. This will short-circuit the battery.

4, homemade detergent. Mix 2 to 3 tablespoons baking soda with about 1 tablespoon water. Stir until a paste is formed.

Top with baking soda paste. Put baking soda on the battery wiring. Please proceed with care. Although baking soda is usually safe, you should be careful not to rub it on other parts of your car or on you. Once applied, baking soda bubbles when it interacts with corrosive chemicals. The way you apply the baking soda paste is up to you. You can use an old toothbrush], a wet cloth, or even your gloved hand.

6. Scrape away the sediment. If you have a lot of deposits on the battery terminals, you need to scrape them off one by one. You can do this with an old knife. After removing most of the sediment, you can use a wire brush or steel wool to remove the remaining sediment. Most car parts stores also sell "battery terminal" and "battery terminal clip" dedicated brush, but these tools are not necessary. Ordinary wire brushes are good enough to remove sediment. It is best to wear plastic gloves when cleaning the terminals (for washing dishes), especially if you use steel wool, as you will be in direct contact with potentially corrosive substances.

7. Rinse. When the bubbling stops and no major deposits need to be scraped away, you need to flush the terminal post. You only need to use a little water. Be careful not to rinse the baking soda paste into the outlet hole of the battery, because baking soda will neutralize the acidity of the battery and shorten its service life.

8. Dry. Wipe the terminal post clean with a clean, dry cloth.

9. Prevent corrosion in the future. Apply a hydrophobic substance such as vaseline or grease to the now-clean terminal. This will help slow the rate of corrosion in the future.

10. Reconnect the wiring clip. Install the positive terminal clamp first, then the negative terminal clamp. Tighten with a wrench if necessary. Once the wiring clamp is in place, you can secure the rubber or plastic cover of the wiring clamp or the wiring position.

11. Done.

Alkaline batteries or ordinary household batteries

1. Contact and evaluate the battery. The method of contact with the battery depends on the device powered by the battery. Usually you need to open or remove the cover of the device to reach the battery holder. Remove the old battery. Check for cracks and leaks in these old batteries. The leakage is most likely potassium hydroxide, a strongly alkaline substance. If you find leaks, handle them with care and wear skin and eye protection, as potassium hydroxide is corrosive. Do not use the following method to remove battery leakage. The following baking soda cleaning method should only be used to remove corrosive material from battery terminals, not leaky batteries.

2. Assess the corrosion status. Check the empty battery holder and the battery for corrosion. Light corrosion appears to be the black spots around one or two cell terminals, while more severe corrosion appears to be gray-white deposits. If you find corrosion, please follow the steps below to clean up.

3. Clean with water. Remove major corrosion deposits with a soft wet cloth or cotton swab. Wear plastic gloves (for washing dishes) when cleaning up corrosion from batteries. Under lucky conditions, the battery holder of an electronic device can be completely removed. If so, soak the entire battery holder in water or a dilute solution of baking soda. In most cases, however, the battery holder is attached to the electronic device, and you must patiently wipe out the corrosion with a cotton swab. Be careful not to let white deposits touch your skin as they are corrosive. Be careful not to let water touch the electronic equipment when cleaning.

4. Clean with baking soda. You can make your own cleanser by mixing a tablespoon of baking soda with about a teaspoon of water. Stir to form a paste. Apply the baking soda mixture to the battery connector using a cotton swab or a small piece of cloth. Once the baking soda is coated, you can see it bubbling as it interacts with the corrosion products. Although baking soda is usually safe, you should be careful not to rub it on electronics or you.

5. Rinse. When the bubbling stops and there is no major sediment to scrape off, you need to flush the battery wiring. You only need to use a little water and a cotton swab to do this step. Be careful not to let water touch any electronic parts.

6. Dry. Clean the battery connection area with a clean dry rag.

7. Prevent corrosion in the future. Apply a hydrophobic substance, such as vaseline or grease, to the now-clean joint. This will help slow the rate of corrosion in the future.

8. Reload everything. Place the new battery in the now-clean battery holder, then close the case or put the cover back on.

9. Done.

warning

Car batteries are considered quite dangerous. Batteries may explode because they release hydrogen when charged or discharged. When handling car batteries, keep away from open flames and avoid any flying sparks. Batteries contain strong acids or bases, both of which can burn eyes and skin. Do not try to turn on the battery. The corrosion around the terminal is corrosive (burns can be caused), so handle with care. Wear gloves and goggles. Use water carefully around electronic parts. If you feel unable to keep your electronics dry while cleaning the battery connections, do not attempt to clean them yourself. Instead, have a professional repair your electronics.

You need to be prepared

Lead or acid batteries or automotive batteries rubber or plastic gloves clean rag water baking soda wire brushes or steel velvet wrenches old dinner knives or other tools for scraping petroleum jelly alkaline batteries or ordinary household batteries rubber or plastic gloves applicators: lint-free cloth or cotton swab water baking soda petroleum jelly

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