Member Since: 06 Apr 2016
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 545
Battery terminals - Vaseline, Copper Grease or ...... ?
Ok, what do people use to protect battery terminals when fitting batteries
I recently read a thread where it suggested vaseline on the terminals BEFORE fitting the claps, which I disagree with as vaseline is an insulator. OK on the clamps/posts after fitting but....
I have favoured copper grease, as its a conductor so can go on before the clamps and then a bit after. The only drawback its its not great to get on clothes etc so if for example you jump start people you can get transference.
My D3 came with nothing on and the terminals were fine, my Freelander had what looked like white lithium grease over clamps which is ok IMO.
What do you think ?Disco 3: Lotus Elise S1: Ferguson T20: Audi A2
11th Apr 2018 8:20 pm
kajtzu
Member Since: 11 Aug 2017
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 6596
I don’t have anything on my terminals. The place which fitted the new battery didn’t seem to put anything on anyone else’s cars either.
11th Apr 2018 8:24 pm
Dan the Man
Member Since: 20 Mar 2014
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 215
I’ve used dielectric grease on electrical terminals on my winch, which is exposed to the elements on the front of the vehicle.
1981 Unimog U1300L (ex German Army vehicle
Previous:
Discovery 3 G4 Challenge
Golf R DSG
BMW 535d M Sport Touring
2010 D4 HSE in Nara Bronze
11th Apr 2018 8:53 pm
DN D3 Decade
Member Since: 24 Jun 2006
Location: W.London.
Posts: 2307
Copper grease on the posts before fitting the connections, and then vaseline over the exterior of the clamps and top of posts, is the way I would go. Although have just used vaseline for this purpose for 40 odd yrs motoring without a problem D3 owned from new, P017 brake recall, BAS FBHIC, new FBH, LR013487 oil pump, new water pump. RRS front lower suspension arms. New suspension compressor/ relay. New Denso alternator. CuNifer rear brake pipes. New GKN rear propshaft. New HPFP belt & tensioner. New A/C Condenser.NO WARRANTY for many many years.
11th Apr 2018 9:30 pm
lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
I kin hate copaslip, dirty stuff gets everywhere you dont want it.
Wurth do some really good battery terminal protector in aerosol form, we were all dismissive of it to start with but over the last 18 mths its proven itself, it dries and even the steam cleaner cant get it off, so no chance of transference, on ebay for 13 gbp per tin which is a lot of money for something that will see very little use.
Their 2000 aerosol spray is also good as it goes sort of tacky and is what I use.
12th Apr 2018 7:15 am
d-9
Member Since: 06 Feb 2017
Location: Herefordshire
Posts: 132
What are you trying to protect your battery terminals from? I thought you just put them on the battery, tightened them up and ignored them.2008 TDV8 Sport HSE
1973 SIII Lightweight
Etc
12th Apr 2018 8:43 am
Browny90
Member Since: 19 Jul 2016
Location: Ashbourne
Posts: 689
When working on HGVs I never used Copper grease on battery terminals. I attended various breakdowns on fuel tankers, they have a very sensitive battery isolator/ shut off, I had some which were tripped by a small current shorting through the grease onto the battery clamps, I found that people used to smear it a bit too liberally.. I would 'go in dry' and cover, or a small amount of Vaseline just as a water repellent.
To be honest, I worked on Scania's where the batteries were pretty exposed, I would also use the same method on my Defender, but since the D4 battery is pretty well protected from the elements I would leave them dry..
With a check each year for corrosion I cant see you having any problems.
You can also buy 'Battery Terminal Protector' which if I remember correctly is like a green slime in a spray can..Disco4 MY16 SDV6 Landmark Black
Disco4 MY12 SDV6 XS Orkney Grey (Gone)
Defender 90 200tdi Completely rebuilt.
Also useful if you're looking for a very thick, waxy grease. Current: Discovery 3 06MY (55 reg) HSE Auto Zambezi Silver Allisport Fast Road Intercooler, V8 Brakes, Silicone IC Hoses, EGRs Blanked, Remapped, De-Cat pipe, FBHIC
Freelander 2 2007 HSE Manual Tambora Flame
Previous: FL2 56 reg SE Manual Black (written off )
Disco 3 06 reg B7S Manual Rimini Red
Disco 2 TD5 Y reg ES Manual Blue - Chipped
Several Discovery 300 TDis
12th Apr 2018 9:46 am
highlands
Member Since: 11 Jan 2010
Location: NW Highlands
Posts: 5098
kajtzu wrote:
I don’t have anything on my terminals. The place which fitted the new battery didn’t seem to put anything on anyone else’s cars either.
Land Rover don't put any grease on the lower wishbone bolts either....
I tend to variously use copper grease, Vaseline or white lithium grease on the posts/clamps after fitting.
That said, I've known plenty of people use Vaseline on the posts and never heard of any problems related to it.Black 05 TDV6 HSE Auto
Grey 05 TDV6 HSE Auto (Gone)
54 TDV6 SE Man (killed by me )
12th Apr 2018 10:13 am
epninety
Member Since: 12 Oct 2012
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 327
Re: Battery terminals - Vaseline, Copper Grease or ...... ?
carbore wrote:
I recently read a thread where it suggested vaseline on the terminals BEFORE fitting the claps, which I disagree with as vaseline is an insulator. OK on the clamps/posts after fitting but....
Vaseline flows away from the point of pressure, but keeps water and air out from the metal-metal junction. I use it on ever wiring connection I make on any of my vehicles. Dip wire ends in it before fitting crimp terminals, then dip the crimp terminals before mating. It tends to prevent water wicking up the wire too, so no cutting 6" of wire back before finding bright copper instead of black.
A wipe over battery terminals before fitting won't hurt in the slightest, it flows into the interstices in the surface and doesn't measurably raise contact resistance in my experience. Not all copper grease is a good conductor either.
12th Apr 2018 10:33 am
lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
Browny90 wrote:
When working on HGVs I never used Copper grease on battery terminals. I attended various breakdowns on fuel tankers, they have a very sensitive battery isolator/ shut off, I had some which were tripped by a small current shorting through the grease onto the battery clamps, I found that people used to smear it a bit too liberally.. I would 'go in dry' and cover, or a small amount of Vaseline just as a water repellent.
To be honest, I worked on Scania's where the batteries were pretty exposed, I would also use the same method on my Defender, but since the D4 battery is pretty well protected from the elements I would leave them dry..
With a check each year for corrosion I cant see you having any problems.
You can also buy 'Battery Terminal Protector' which if I remember correctly is like a green slime in a spray can..
3 series or the 4 series?
12th Apr 2018 12:33 pm
Browny90
Member Since: 19 Jul 2016
Location: Ashbourne
Posts: 689
I started in 2000 left in 2011 so was 3, 4 then P,R,T Series..
Don't see many 3 Series about these days..Disco4 MY16 SDV6 Landmark Black
Disco4 MY12 SDV6 XS Orkney Grey (Gone)
Defender 90 200tdi Completely rebuilt.
12th Apr 2018 1:54 pm
Randylover
Member Since: 31 Jan 2011
Location: Staffordshire
Posts: 1172
I have the Wurth one, I think it’s called Kontact
Leaves a blueish film and as above post seems very effective and long lasting
I used to use it on my winch Anderson sockets and it preformed fine then also
Andy05 TDV6,"S" in all colourcoded Zermatt silver,7 seats winter pack HK 6cd stereo,Dual climate,Xenons,
Mods:
Re-Con Engine,De-Tango,Reverse camera,Fog/DRl lights,Aux Battery, perm Aux socket in boot,LED Volt meters in roof panel,Built in tom tom, Strobes fitted in grille, Aux switches for trailer lights fitted in roof panel,Roof Rails,Grille conversion
12th Apr 2018 2:53 pm
lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
Browny90 wrote:
I started in 2000 left in 2011 so was 3, 4 then P,R,T Series..
Don't see many 3 Series about these days..
Yrs ago I was always a volvo man, then we got 3 series not impressed at all, but they grew on me as pretty easy trucks to fix and reliable to boot, then we got a load of the first 4 series
Got a load of new P cab tractors in late 2015, was very surprised when I got underneath to see they still had greasable shackle pins!
12th Apr 2018 4:58 pm
carbore
Member Since: 06 Apr 2016
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 545
Thanks for all the input, surprised about vaseline on the terminals before clamps but makes some sense re water displacement and barrier.
I did a light vaseline coating when I fitted my battery yesterday.Disco 3: Lotus Elise S1: Ferguson T20: Audi A2
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum