Battery corrosion

[Dave Sal]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to remind everyone to check their battery compartment at least once a year. I was doing my annual check mainly to see if the battery needed to be topped off with distilled water. All of the cells were fine, but I noticed some of that white corrosion at the bottom of the battery tray towards the back. Never had this before and I thought it was usually caused by a missing vent tube. Mine was properly connected so I don't know why this happened. I cleaned it up and neutralized it with a mixture of baking soda and water. My battery is 8 years old and I was debating whether I should try to get another year out of it but after seeing the corrosion, I think I'll pick up a new one.

They have an Everstart Maxx-H8 at Walmart for $130, which is rated very well on the Project Farm YouTube channel, plus it's made by Johnson Controls so it can't be all bad. Just thought I'd throw this out there as a reminder to check your batteries.

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[rlordjr]

Often the battery is cracked when you have that problem and the vent tube is ok. Good idea to replace. Everstart is ok but not the best

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[JimLev]

My battery is 8 years old and I was debating whether I should try to get another year out of it but after seeing the corrosion, I think I'll pick up a new one.

Get a NAPA Legend battery, mine lasted me 12 years using a smart charger when I remembered to connect it.
I just replaced it with another NAPA Legend a few months ago.
IIRC it was about $150 with a $25 mail in refund, so really only $125.

[Dave Sal]

Thanks for the battery suggestions. Gonna look into it.

[Qsilver7]

Just an FYI...make sure you plug the hole on the other side of the battery. Many forget to do that while still connecting the vent tube. If you do go with the Everstart...I believe there is a “break-a-way” plug built into one of the battery post caps. Before throwing those protective caps away...make sure you break off the plug to seal up the hole on the opposite side of the battery from the vent hole you’re connecting the vent tube to.

Example below shows the break off plug (encircled in green) that should be inserted into the vent hole on the negative post side of the battery...while the vent hole (encircled in red) is where you hook up the cars battery vent tube that carries natural occurring gasses produced by the battery to the exterior of the car:

Examples of battery’s vent hole on negative post side plugged up to prevent gasses from escaping into the enclosed battery compartment:

[Ed CT]

Yes, preventive replacement is a good idea at 7 or 8 years on a battery - You don't want to t get stranded.

I put one of those battery anti-corrosion mats under my battery after I, like you, found some spew in the compartment floor and had to swab the deck with baking soda solution.

Also, to Qsilver7's point, my current battery does have two vent holes - one at each pos & neg end. I got some extra tubing and used a t-fitting to vent both holes into the vent tube.

[dmaisenh]

Just a note. Johnson Controls sold their battery division to a private equity group who renamed the company Clarios. They make Optima, DieHard, Everstart (Walmart) plus some other private labels.

[Dave Sal]

Thanks for the additional information. I never knew that batteries had two vent holes and came with plugs to seal one up. Thanks for the tip Qsilver7. Also looking at getting one of those anti-corrosion mats. I'll be picking up a NAPA Legend battery tomorrow as recommended by JimLev.

[JimLev]

Good choice Dave.

[f355spider]

FYI, the Everstart Maxx 49/H8 was one of the lowest rated group 49 batteries in the test on Consumer Reports (second from bottom, Bosch Premium was the lowest rated)
The problem with Project Farm's test, is it was with the Group 27. Consumer Reports testing has proven that battery performance varies greatly within brands, depending on which size is tested.

Best rated by Consumer Reports in Group 49/H8 was the AC Delco AGM for best reserve capacity and longest expected life. AGM batteries never need water, and rarely, if ever leak. I've had mine for over a year, and recently had it load tested, and it was over 1000 CCA, even though it is only rated at 900 CCA.

Second best rated was Interstate brand, Megatron. And even though only rated at 730CCA, was one of the top tested for actual reserve capacity and good CCA. So don't always put your faith in posted specifications. At least in the Interstate and AC Delco, they exceed them.

[f355spider]

Battery mats are sold at most autoparts stores. You trim them to fit. Most brands are yellow treated felt
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