The Ford Barn

31Cabriolet68-C · 07-21-2022, 08:59 AM

I'm going to be installing a new Optima 6v, as a bit of a birthday present, and would like to know what, if anything, I should 'smear' on the connections after I wire-brush them to bright metal... (Yes, I have gotten the special Optima hold-down assembly.) I'm looking to reduce corrosion and enhance conductivity. Thanks in advance. John B

Bob Bidonde · 07-21-2022, 09:16 AM

Do not slather anything onto the battery terminals because it will collect dirt. Use the felt pads that have corrosion protectant in them.

Patrick L. · 07-21-2022, 10:01 AM

Just get a spray can of that red battery stuff. Stuff works good. I can't remember the name.

Just looked at the can.

CRC Battery Terminal Protector.

Ray in La Mesa · 07-21-2022, 10:17 AM

Been using Optima for 15 years & never applied any corrosion preventer as there are no escaping gases to cause it. Terminals always stayed bright & clean.

ndnchf · 07-21-2022, 10:45 AM

A very, very thin coat of dialectric grease is a good thing to inhibit corrosion.

alexiskai · 07-21-2022, 11:50 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Link to those felt pads:
https://www.zoro.com/noco-protective...03/i/G5079258/

Y-Blockhead · 07-21-2022, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexiskai

Link to those felt pads:
https://www.zoro.com/noco-protective...03/i/G5079258/

or https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Termi...dDbGljaz10cnVl

I use NCP2 https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-CB104S-B...s%2C150&sr=8-1 on the terminals along with the the protective washers, but I have never had a corrosions issue since I started using Battery Oil.

alexiskai · 07-21-2022, 12:34 PM

The NOCO pads I linked to are pre-saturated with NCP2, the red/green ones you linked to are not.

Ruth · 07-21-2022, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexiskai

The NOCO pads I linked to are pre-saturated with NCP2, the red/green ones you linked to are not.

And???

alexiskai · 07-21-2022, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruth

And???

and... if the topic of this discussion is "how to prevent corrosion at battery terminals," it's worth noting minor differences in products. You can buy plain felt washers and leave it at that, you can buy saturated washers, you can buy plain washers and put stuff on 'em, you can do nothing and trust it'll be fine, I don't care. I'm just saying the two products linked were not identical substitutes.

Ruth · 07-21-2022, 02:40 PM

And all Blockhead was doing is suggesting an alternative. Where does it state that the washers you linked to have NCP2?

Jeez, no wonder people are leaving this site.

TMarsh · 07-21-2022, 03:00 PM

I agree with Ray of La Mesa, I do not put anything on my Optima battery posts. No out gassing. You can even put them on their side, they are sealed.

alexiskai · 07-21-2022, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruth

And all Blockhead was doing is suggesting an alternative. Where does it state that the washers you linked to have NCP2?

Jeez, no wonder people are leaving this site.

My bad, I got that from the manufacturer's website. He said he puts NCP2 on his terminals, I was just noting that the B603 washers are pre-loaded with it, so you don't have to buy it separately. Saves money!

https://no.co/b603

Patrick L. · 07-28-2022, 07:19 PM

Just get a spray can of that red battery stuff. Stuff works good. I can't remember the name.

Just looked at the can.

CRC Battery Terminal Protector.

Tom Endy · 07-28-2022, 08:45 PM

Off topic maybe:

A couple days ago I thought maybe it's time to check the water in the six-volt battery in my Victoria. When I did, I noticed the date I wrote on it when I installed it new, July 2014. I remember I bought it at a local O'Rielly auto parts store, paid $89 for it. The Vic starts right up every time, and I drive it some most every day. It stays fully charged with a six-volt positive ground alternator.

I cleaned all the battery terminals when I installed the battery, especially the one where the ground strap bolts to the frame.

I added a little distilled water to each cell, maybe good for another eight years.

Tom Endy

Brad in Germany · 07-28-2022, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 31Cabriolet68-C

I'm going to be installing a new Optima 6v, as a bit of a birthday present, and would like to know what, if anything, I should 'smear' on the connections after I wire-brush them to bright metal... (Yes, I have gotten the special Optima hold-down assembly.) I'm looking to reduce corrosion and enhance conductivity. Thanks in advance. John B

Nothing needed. Your Optima is sealed and you will thus never need to worry about corrosion.

Battery corrosion is from electrolyte or electrolyte vapors emitting from the top of the battery. Hydrogen gas (which is naturally released from the battery) may also allow the acidic electrolyte to condense on the top of the battery. But your sealed Optima has non of those issues.

I have Optima batteries on all of my Model A's (for decades) and have never seen a spec of corrosion on any of the battery terminals.

To ensure good connection, just clean the terminals (very light sanding so that they are shinier) before attaching the battery cables.

Brad in Maryland

nkaminar · 07-29-2022, 05:49 AM

I use the sap from a pine tree. I live in the Tar Heal state.

Fhane · 07-29-2022, 06:50 AM

Something to remember. Dielectric Grease is a insulator of electricity and NOT a conductor of electricity.

Dino's A · 07-29-2022, 08:51 AM

Your local Ace Hardware should carry the felt pads. If not,
tell them to order you some. There are 2 kinds so be careful.
1. For top terminals (the one you want)
2. For side terminals. ( the one you don't want)

Vaseline can be used to protect the terminals if you wish.
I put a little on the area where the terminal pokes through the case.
Just a very thin layer. Then the pads cover that. I know
It's overkill, I know, but I'm a overkill kind of guy.

rotorwrench · 07-31-2022, 12:19 AM

Dielectric grease such as Dow Corning DC4 is a silicon based grease that was made to seal the Cannon type plug or other shell conectors from moisture. The dielectric properties are to keep each pin in the connectors from cross shorting under extreme conditions from moisture or other contaminants. It in no way empedes a good tight connection from passing current or high tension voltage. It's there to keep it in the conductors path it's suposed to be in. It works fine on battery terminals if a person chooses to use it. I always keep a tube of it around.

07-21-2022, 08:59 AM	#1
31Cabriolet68-C Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Greenwich, CT Posts: 140	Battery connections I'm going to be installing a new Optima 6v, as a bit of a birthday present, and would like to know what, if anything, I should 'smear' on the connections after I wire-brush them to bright metal... (Yes, I have gotten the special Optima hold-down assembly.) I'm looking to reduce corrosion and enhance conductivity. Thanks in advance. John B

07-21-2022, 10:01 AM	#3
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Battery connections Just get a spray can of that red battery stuff. Stuff works good. I can't remember the name. Just looked at the can. CRC Battery Terminal Protector. Last edited by Patrick L.; 07-28-2022 at 07:16 PM.

07-21-2022, 10:17 AM	#4
Ray in La Mesa Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: La Mesa Ca Posts: 1,166	Re: Battery connections Been using Optima for 15 years & never applied any corrosion preventer as there are no escaping gases to cause it. Terminals always stayed bright & clean.

07-21-2022, 10:45 AM	#5
ndnchf Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia Posts: 759	Re: Battery connections A very, very thin coat of dialectric grease is a good thing to inhibit corrosion.

07-21-2022, 11:50 AM	#6
alexiskai Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Mebane NC Posts: 2,354	Re: Battery connections Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Link to those felt pads: https://www.zoro.com/noco-protective...03/i/G5079258/

07-21-2022, 12:34 PM	#8
alexiskai Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Mebane NC Posts: 2,354	Re: Battery connections The NOCO pads I linked to are pre-saturated with NCP2, the red/green ones you linked to are not.

07-21-2022, 02:40 PM	#11
Ruth Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Glide, Oregon Posts: 1,339	Re: Battery connections And all Blockhead was doing is suggesting an alternative. Where does it state that the washers you linked to have NCP2? Jeez, no wonder people are leaving this site. __________________ Ruth "Sometimes you really DO need to read the whole thread"

07-21-2022, 03:00 PM	#12
TMarsh Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2019 Posts: 131	Re: Battery connections I agree with Ray of La Mesa, I do not put anything on my Optima battery posts. No out gassing. You can even put them on their side, they are sealed.

07-28-2022, 07:19 PM	#14
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Battery connections Just get a spray can of that red battery stuff. Stuff works good. I can't remember the name. Just looked at the can. CRC Battery Terminal Protector.

07-28-2022, 08:45 PM	#15
Tom Endy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,131	Re: Battery connections Off topic maybe: A couple days ago I thought maybe it's time to check the water in the six-volt battery in my Victoria. When I did, I noticed the date I wrote on it when I installed it new, July 2014. I remember I bought it at a local O'Rielly auto parts store, paid $89 for it. The Vic starts right up every time, and I drive it some most every day. It stays fully charged with a six-volt positive ground alternator. I cleaned all the battery terminals when I installed the battery, especially the one where the ground strap bolts to the frame. I added a little distilled water to each cell, maybe good for another eight years. Tom Endy

07-29-2022, 05:49 AM	#17
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,897	Re: Battery connections I use the sap from a pine tree. I live in the Tar Heal state. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

07-29-2022, 06:50 AM	#18
Fhane Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Stuart Florida Posts: 148	Re: Battery connections Something to remember. Dielectric Grease is a insulator of electricity and NOT a conductor of electricity.

07-29-2022, 08:51 AM	#19
Dino's A Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Arcadia, Ca. Posts: 251	Re: Battery connections Your local Ace Hardware should carry the felt pads. If not, tell them to order you some. There are 2 kinds so be careful. 1. For top terminals (the one you want) 2. For side terminals. ( the one you don't want) Vaseline can be used to protect the terminals if you wish. I put a little on the area where the terminal pokes through the case. Just a very thin layer. Then the pads cover that. I know It's overkill, I know, but I'm a overkill kind of guy.

07-31-2022, 12:19 AM	#20
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,431	Re: Battery connections Dielectric grease such as Dow Corning DC4 is a silicon based grease that was made to seal the Cannon type plug or other shell conectors from moisture. The dielectric properties are to keep each pin in the connectors from cross shorting under extreme conditions from moisture or other contaminants. It in no way empedes a good tight connection from passing current or high tension voltage. It's there to keep it in the conductors path it's suposed to be in. It works fine on battery terminals if a person chooses to use it. I always keep a tube of it around.