(+) battery lug turning black

[midfat]

Curious if any of you have a theory on why my positivity battery terminal lug is turning black? Installed an IBS dual battery kit about a month ago. Works flawlessly. Replaced both main and aux battery terminals with military style clams. Both exactly the same. In the span of one month, one has turned a near perfectly uniform shade of black while the other has remained perfectly silver. Exactly the same when they were installed.

 

[leonard_nemoy]

The black is lead oxide formed from exposure to the hydrogen released during use.

 

[ppc]

To me it looks like acid has overflowed on top of the battery either from overfilling or overcharging with two high of a voltage, What happens when you mix up a solution 50/50 of baking soda/water and flood the battery top and over the posts. If it turns blueish green that indicates acid being neutralized.

 

[midfat]

The black is lead oxide formed from exposure to the hydrogen released during use.

While I’m aware that hydrogen sulfide gas is present around lead acid batteries, should I be concerned that theres enough volume to cause this reaction this quickly? Perhaps it’s time for a second Oddyssey...

 

[midfat]

To me it looks like acid has overflowed on top of the battery either from overfilling or overcharging with two high of a voltage, What happens when you mix up a solution 50/50 of baking soda/water and flood the battery top and over the posts. If it turns blueish green that indicates acid being neutralized.

I’ll have to give that a try. I did upgrade to a 150A alternator a few mins back, but my voltage readings on my Ultragauge seem pretty stable between 13.8 and 14.3 VDC running.

Looked in the cells this evening and the fluid just submerges the top of the lead plates. Doesn’t appear to be low or overfilled.

 

[NLXTACY]

You may be overcharging. Yeah it’s lead oxide. Only ever seen it once before and it only happens on lead acid batteries.

 

[scottryana]

This also leads to hood rust if left unchecked.

 

[NLXTACY]

This also leads to hood rust if left unchecked.

I can see that happening.

 

[NLXTACY]

Btw remove it. It will absolutely affect the connection.

 

[cruiserdan]

You can see the acid on top of the black battery case.

 

[midfat]

Btw remove it. It will absolutely affect the connection.

So new lug is needed? This isn’t a case of just hitting it with a wire wheel?

 

[BILT4ME]

So new lug is needed? This isn’t a case of just hitting it with a wire wheel?

You can clean up the interior of it and all the connection points. Do the baking soda thing to remove all the acid, scrape the contact points, then install one of those "battery washers" under the post to help alleviate the acid attack (you get those through local FLAPS) and then slobber grease over the entire thing. That will seal the exterior to keep it from corroding.

 

[woodsman 44]

get an AGM battery and redo them cables and lugs... lots of corrosion in them for a fail down the road.....this is why I dont buy lead acid batts

 

[midfat]

What happens when you mix up a solution 50/50 of baking soda/water and flood the battery top and over the posts. If it turns blueish green that indicates acid being neutralized.

This is what happens. Battery was installed in November of 2010. All and all, not so bad.

 

[BILT4ME]

This is what happens. Battery was installed in November of 2010. All and all, not so bad.

View attachment 1717705

Rinse it WELL with LOTS of water (preferably distilled)

 

[midfat]

Rinse it WELL with LOTS of water (preferably distilled)

Done and done. With distilled water.