Battery Terminal Corrosion Protection

[RedShift]

I don't know how common it is, but after five years my Yuasa battery's negative terminal began to corrode.  It appears that 11,834 miles has broken the seal at that post.  I rationalized that there's no easy way to permanently fix this apart from replacing the battery, so that's what I did.

I searched the archives for a way to protect the new battery posts.  I found this Negative terminal deposits thread that mentions Vaseline. 

Anyone on-line try this? 

How about specialized spray-ons, like Permatex Battery Protector & Sealer?  I'd have to look for this stuff (at finer Auto Parts stores), but is it better than good-old Petroleum Jelly?

Any personal opinions out there to share?

[Old Mr. Wilson]

It's common. Moreso than you'd think in all types of applications concerning batteries. There are "treated doughnut/felt" washers that you can place over your terminal posts during installation. These do a good job and keep gases at bay and from the terminals being eaten up by corrosion. You can find them at most auto supply stores. For industrial situations we've always used thick (very thick) grease (we would heat it on an electric eye to get it pliable enough to work with). This is an inherent problem with the manufacturing of batteries. I'm sure, however, that there are batteries being made somewhere for the space shuttle that do not have these characteristics. Hope this helps. Wilson

[Old Mr. Wilson]

p.s. The batteries that I occasionally "see to" weigh from 90 lbs. to 440 lbs. each and they "are NOT mobile". 

[trumpetguy]

I like to clean the connections, tighten them and then coat with (automotive) wheel bearing grease.  I've been doing this for many years.

My dad smears the grease all over first and then tightens it.  Either option works at least as well as the store-bought red terminal grease.

[ducati_nolan]

I've used the spray on permatex stuff on my car and it worked great. I don't think that the felt washers would work on bike batteries but if you could find some that would fit  they would probally be fine.

I don't think there is any advantage to the permatex stuff though. Vasalene works fine, as will any grease, but the vasalene is probally better just because it makes less mess.

[Cal Price]

Vaseline does it for me, if corrosion is a problem in your locality you may wish to consider using it in the fuse relay as well, mine corroded away and the replacement is stuffed with grease.