[RE-wrenches] Strings and series of batteries

[Michael Welch]

My (now retired) C&D flooded batteries came with a can of a dark, grease-like paste that was supposedly electrically conductive and that had a higher melting point than Vaseline. It did a good job of protecting the interconnect bars and the cable end connections. Maybe C&D sells this stuff, but I could not find it on their web site.

North Texas Renewable Energy Inc wrote at 07:02 AM 12/2/2009:
 
>Petroleum jelly does work as you say to keep oxygen away from the metal surfaces but its melting temperature is relatively low making it not a long-term solution.
>A device I saw used on an industrial battery bank years ago used a solid brass alloy device. A small oblong plate fits over the battery post, lies flush on the battery case, then the battery cable is attached. A machined brass dome-shaped cover fits snugly over the plate and is attached with small set screws. A grease fitting on the top is where you squirt in special non-corrosive 'grease' until it leaks out around the battery cable opening.
>If the cable/terminal connection is good & tight the connection should not corrode or loosen for a decade or more. The device is no doubt pricey but should last for the life of the bank on a quality installation.
>I have not ever seen this device advertised, or even thought about it until I read Dicks posting. It sounds like it's worth the investment for an enclosed flooded battery enclosure where fumes will accumulate.
>Jim Duncan
>North Texas Renewable Energy Inc
>817.917.0527
>ntrei at earthlink.net
>www.ntrei.com
>********************************
>
>----- Original Message ----- From: "Richard L Ratico" <Richard.L.Ratico at VALLEY.NET>
>To: <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
>Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 5:00 PM
>Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Strings and series of batteries
>
>
>>Perhaps off topic, it's been said here previously by others, but is worth
>>repeating, good old Vaseline, coating all exposed metal surfaces at battery
>>terminals, totally eliminates the corrosion issue. It's benign, inexpensive and
>>available everywhere.