Battery Cable Corrosion Cancel The title field is required!

1. Wahlin Scott B

   
   6/14/2013 2:06 PM

   We are having issues with battery wires corroding. It is a concern with the charging wire and the wire that goes to the GPS. We have 90 carts and have about one go down per day. Any suggestions about why this is happening and/or ways to prevent it?
   
   [url=http://s291.photobucket.com/user/scottcgcs/media/1306a008_zpsc816b1e3.jpg.html">[img">http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll284/scottcgcs/1306a008_zpsc816b1e3.jpg[/img">

   
   
   
   
2. Timothy Walker

   

   0 posts
   
   6/14/2013 6:06 PM

   Built to fail?

   
   
   
   
3. Hector Velazquez

   

   0 posts
   
   6/14/2013 7:06 PM

   http://www.turfnet.com/page/turfnet-tv.html/_/hector/
   
   On the line up you will see a video I did on battery terminal upgrade. Problems like this are easily remedied. Once you have properly repaired the terminal ends its just a matter of spraying battery cleaner to clean any acid. And the use battery terminal protector spray for preventative maintenance. Alway be sure to keep battery water at proper level using distiller water. Unless of course it's a maintenance free battery. Hope the video will give you better insight.

   
   
   
   
4. Henry Heinz

   

   0 posts
   
   6/15/2013 5:06 AM

   Your problem there doesn't look much different than what the rest of us seem to deal with too. Your wires may be good, as it looks like dirty terminals. I would use some Baking Soda and a good wire brush, it will work wonders cleaning the terminals up. Do an ohms reading on the cables to make sure they are good after cleaning the terminal ends, much faster and a lot less expensive than just replacing cables that may not need it. Also if you having isolated issues you can do a voltage drop test and find the area that is your problem and replace. All easy steps and very cost effective. Also, as Hector mentioned, be sure and use terminal protective spray, it does a great job in preventing buildup on the post and cables.
   
   Regards,

   
   
   
   
5. Hector Velazquez

   

   0 posts
   
   6/15/2013 9:06 PM

   Just Remember, battery acid has a somewhat capilary action to it. In other words in almost every instance I have come across terminals like this, If you peel back the insulation of those wire's. You will see "green" or corrosion about an inch or two inside the insulation. You will need to cut back to fresh clean wire otherwise you will be dealing with high resistance in your wire.
   You are dealing with computer components (GPS) any kind of resistance in the wire can damage electrical component ESPECIALLY in computer boards. Yes it may be a little money to replace wire's. BUT, I bet its much cheaper than replacing computer parts.
   
   By looking at that picture you have exposed wire's at the terminals acid will creep in there and climb up that wire. at the very least I would just replace your terminals and use heat shrink tubing to prevent further corrosion.
   
   This may seem minor, but when it comes to computer components and its operation it really matter's. computer's are really sensitive to resistance of the smallest amount.
   
   Start fresh, and its just like Skip said, during your maintenance use baking soda, or even Coca Cola works also to clean your terminals and posts. But, really doubt you will need to do that if you use Terminal Protector Spray.
   Great advice Skip, forgot about the baking soda. : )

   
   
   
   
6. James Gubricky

   

   0 posts
   
   6/16/2013 2:06 AM

   Our EZ Go rep recommends soaking the entire cable in a baking soda/water solution to help clean up any corrosion that has crept inside the cables.

   
   
   
   
7. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   6/16/2013 1:06 PM

   Our guys hose off the top of the batteries every time the cart gets washed. Keeps the corrosion to a minimum and a quick rinse really only takes a few seconds.

   
   
   
   
8. Henry Heinz

   

   0 posts
   
   6/16/2013 4:06 PM

   Hector is right about the corrosion creeping back into the wires, if you get to them soon enough there generally isn't a problem, but in most cases we're always a bit late. Again, a ohms reading will tell you. Also, don't hit the panic button just yet, most of your electronics are protect by some sort of thermocouple, relay or very small fuse to protect them against a voltage drop or surge. Just as the hybrids units produced by Deere. The reel motors will shut down if they get too much drag or draw on them, or a voltage drop. The motors are capable of stopping to protect form damage, if it doesn't the controller will. When the components cool power is restored, and it resets itself. Most GPS system in carts are setup similar. The environment in which we run these pieces of equipment is harsh, and the manufactures are doing a great job of building in safety features. Still, clean and solid cables are a must. Yes, cables are less expensive, but I try to teach how to find a problem, tell if replacement is really necessary instead of just replacing parts. Even if you replace things, you should still run through the procedures so you know and understand what is going on. So many times people want the answer, or just change the part because they really don't understand the methods of trouble shooting. I was asked years ago by one of my mentors, son, do you want to be a good mechanic or a good trouble shooter. My answer at the time was a good mechanic, wrong, a good trouble shooter is what you want to be. He said show me a good trouble shooter and I'll show you a great mechanic. This is why I push for running test and knowing for sure, and the more you use it the better you get. Great video, Hector, and nice work as always. I think maybe a future video of basic volt meter usage and voltage drop testing would be very helpful to a lot of us out here. Not sure if you ever got the Power Probe III, but a lesson on the use of the Power Probe would be cool too for some upcoming episodes of Hectors Shop......
   
   Regards,

   
   
   
   
9. Hector Velazquez

   

   0 posts
   
   6/16/2013 7:06 PM

   Henry Heinz said: I think maybe a future video of basic volt meter usage and voltage drop testing would be very helpful to a lot of us out here. Not sure if you ever got the Power Probe III, but a lesson on the use of the Power Probe would be cool too for some upcoming episodes of Hectors Shop......
   
   Regards,

   
   
   Skip, lol great minds think alike I was just telling my wife these testing procedures would make a great video. I have the next 3 months lined up, but its on for the forth. By that time I will have my power probe. Been needing a new meter anyways.
   
   Skip makes a great point use your trouble shooting skills and keep them sharp.

   
   
   
   
10. James Smith

    

    112 posts
    
    6/17/2013 12:06 PM

    I was either once told or read that this corrosion is caused from having your batteries too full. The thought was that by filling the batteries too much the extra water has to boil out and can do so in vapor form which will tend to corrode the batteries and battery frames.
    
    I had also been told that the water should be filled to 1" under the plastic hole that extends into the battery or possibly 1" over the lead cells.
    
    The real cure is in using battery protecting spray. using baking soda works also but not long term.