New Battery and still foaming

[ryukin2000]

hi guys, i just replaced my old battery with a motormaster eliminator. the old one was foaming at the terminals and only started at warmer temps. when i installed the new battery i put some dielectric grease on the rings and terminals. Been driving with the new one for about a month now. last i checked there was a bit of blue foam developing again. i have two relays on the battery for 2 pairs of 35W ballasts. i only run one set at any given time though. any ideas why its doing this on a new battery? thanks.

[Stonewall]

Re: New Battery and still foaming

Every experience I have had with a Canadian tire battery has been shitty.. every SINGLE battery was crap.
Other then that you could add those pads underneath your terminals, they look like little doughnut sos pads.

[ryukin2000]

Re: New Battery and still foaming

i wanted to buy a costco battery but the size wasnt there. we'll see how this one does.

[Kor]

Re: New Battery and still foaming

As far as I know dielectric grease is not what you want on your terminals. It's non-conductive. Somehow this is urban legend got started? It's properly used for things like sealing boots and covers that need to shield electrical components on the car. It insulates and keeps out moisture which is good. But between two metal contacts it only causes more resistance...? I think you should use something else, a conductive protectant or grease.

Edit: I guess if you clean off all the grease and corrosion, make the connection, tighten screws etc, and finally put grease on top, you'll be OK.

[btimbit]

Re: New Battery and still foaming

Edit: Nevermind

[ryukin2000]

Re: New Battery and still foaming

As far as I know dielectric grease is not what you want on your terminals. It's non-conductive. Somehow this is urban legend got started? It's properly used for things like sealing boots and covers that need to shield electrical components on the car. It insulates and keeps out moisture which is good. But between two metal contacts it only causes more resistance...? I think you should use something else, a conductive protectant or grease.

Edit: I guess if you clean off all the grease and corrosion, make the connection, tighten screws etc, and finally put grease on top, you'll be OK.

i started using di-electric grease because a friend suggested it. i've used it on all my relays and ballast connections. its been a few years and seems to work fine.

Permatex website
"Protects electrical connections and wiring from salt, dirt and corrosion. Extends the life of bulb sockets. Prevents voltage leakage around any electrical connection. Also prevents spark plugs from fusing to boots. Required for modern high energy ignition systems.
Suggested Applications: Marine and automotive electrical connections, spark plug boots, trailer hitches, battery terminals"

doesnt seem to an urban legend if it states it. i'll give it a better cleaning though. thanks for the advice Kor.

[J-hop]

Re: New Battery and still foaming

just a thought, but have you ever checked your charging voltage? you should get around 13.6 or 13.8 I think (at least that is what my eliminator was registering when i had it hooked up last). I think excessive corrosion can be caused by too high of a voltage going into the battery so maybe a faulty alt. voltage regulator?? Also the corrosion I believe is the result of gases escaping the battery so although dielectric may keep your terminals clean it may just be a band aid fix.

[ryukin2000]

Re: New Battery and still foaming

just a thought, but have you ever checked your charging voltage? you should get around 13.6 or 13.8 I think (at least that is what my eliminator was registering when i had it hooked up last). I think excessive corrosion can be caused by too high of a voltage going into the battery so maybe a faulty alt. voltage regulator?? Also the corrosion I believe is the result of gases escaping the battery so although dielectric may keep your terminals clean it may just be a band aid fix.

that's one thing i haven't done yet. My buddy suggested the same thing, that the battery could be overcharged and getting cooked. we'll see.

[resolute]

Re: New Battery and still foaming

From Wikipedia (note the last sentence):

Dielectric grease
Dielectric grease is a nonconductive grease. As such, it does not enhance the flow of electrical current. Thus electrical conductors should not be coated with dielectric grease prior to being mated. Dielectric grease is, however, often applied to electrical connectors, particularly those containing rubber gaskets, as a means of lubricating and sealing rubber portions of the connector.
The widest use of dielectric grease is in high-voltage connections associated with spark plugs. The grease is applied to the rubber boot of the plug wire. This helps the rubber boot slide onto the ceramic insulator of the plug. The grease also acts to seal the rubber boot, while at the same time preventing the rubber from becoming stuck to the ceramic. Generally spark plugs are located in areas of high temperature, and the grease is formulated to withstand the temperature range expected.
Another common use of dielectric grease is on the rubber mating surfaces or gaskets of multi-pin electrical connectors used in automotive and marine engines. The grease again acts as a lubricant and a sealant on the nonconductive mating surfaces of the connector. It is not recommended to be applied to the actual electrical conductive contacts of the connector because it could interfere with the electrical signals passing through the connector.

[dwvw]

Re: New Battery and still foaming

Charge voltage should be somewhere around 14.4 volts with no accessories running.

[aliencurv]

Re: New Battery and still foaming

Some information for you... The voltage regulator will never return a higher voltage. *Unless there is not a reliable ground on the regulator or high resistance. But, considering the VR is within the alternator, you're golden. You can check the voltage to make sure it's not too low, but it will never be too hight. The reason is how a voltage regulator works internally, pretty simple actually and might be a fun read for ya

As for CDN Tire batteries... I experienced short life with them but never corrosion or foaming at the terminals. I don't really blame cdn tire batteries, they have performed well enough for me in the past. If you on a budget, they won't hurt you.

Now to the conversation at hand... The foam. Well it's not caused by the battery .. I'll say this now, and here's why. A great example i can give you is an old toy with batteries left in. Years later you open up the back and notice foam between the terminals. You don't notice that anywhere else within the toy. That is because the "foam" you see builds near the point of highest resistance.

How does that apply to you? Quite simply two reasons....

#1) Do not use that electrical grease. Do not read their website as examples of why to use it. (i.e. of course they will promote their product) I don't say their product is bad, i will state that it is not appropiate for your application. In fact, there is never a reason to use that grease on your vehicles, ever. The grease is really used to protect "connection plugs" from condensation and the environmental hazards (i.e. rain snow etc). It is not a conductive material and therefore creates a resistance

#2) Your connection fittings are usually a soft and porous metal. Because of this, they are great sponges for oils, grease, dirt, water, and anything else you can fit in the pores. This also includes previous corroded metals and residue .. So they should be replaced -or- cleaned.

Your solution:

Pick up some Brake Cleaner (don't get electrical cleaner becuase it's over priced. Only use electrical cleaner on things that matter like MAF's) and spray the fuuk out of your terminals and plugs. Get -ALL- of that grease off.

Then, use an old tooth brush and baking soda mixed with a tad of water. Make it really gritty (like a metal polish would look)... Clean and scrub your existing connectors and the battery terminals. Get in the corners well becuase any corroded residue will multiple with electricity again.

Once you got all the greaes and oil out of everything, put it back together and you owe me a beer.

[ryukin2000]

Re: New Battery and still foaming

good info there resolute. makes more sense to me now. aliencurv-thanks for those cleaning methods. when i get time to do it, i will.

[aliencurv]

Re: New Battery and still foaming

good info there resolute. makes more sense to me now. aliencurv-thanks for those cleaning methods. when i get time to do it, i will.

no prob dude

[p951]

Re: New Battery and still foaming

You can check the voltage to make sure it's not too low, but it will never be too hight. The reason is how a voltage regulator works internally, pretty simple actually and might be a fun read for ya

Not true. I have replaced two alternators in the past year due to failed voltage regulators that allowed the voltage to go over 19 volts. Check the voltage, especially when revving the engine.

[aliencurv]

Re: New Battery and still foaming

Not true. I have replaced two alternators in the past year due to failed voltage regulators that allowed the voltage to go over 19 volts. Check the voltage, especially when revving the engine.

Sorry I dont beleive you unless the ONLY reason I stated regarding a bad ground. Either way, higher voltage would not cause the terminals to foam. Would you like a detailed technical explanation of how current is regulated? Lemme know I'm prett sure I explained the issue in great detail with a simple solution. I'm glad it'll help.