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Battery Connectors
Over time, battery connectors can become corroded. This corrosion is caused by leaking alkaline batteries and can also occur in common electronic devices. Although battery corrosion is common and happens to most car batteries, it can prevent your battery from working effectively. If not cleaned, corrosion can shorten the life of your car battery connectors. Use caution when cleaning corroded battery connectors. Battery acid is a dangerous chemical that can burn your skin if it comes in contact.
What You Will Need
Before you clean the corrosion from your car battery connectors, you will need a few supplies. Most of the supplies can be found around the house or garage.
- Rubber gloves
- Baking soda
- Old rags
- Wrench
- Brush for car battery connectors
- Old toothbrush
- White vinegar (alkaline batteries only)
- Cotton swabs
Cleaning Corrosion from Car Battery Connectors
Use caution when disconnecting battery connectors from the car battery to avoid electric shock. Put on your rubber gloves and loosen both connectors with a wrench. Pull off the negative connector first and then the positive. Using an old rag, wipe corrosion off of the cable connectors. Sprinkle the terminals of the cable connectors with baking soda and dip a a wire car battery terminal brush into water. Use the wet brush to scrub the surface of both battery connectors and battery terminals. Properly dry each connector and replace the car battery. If you are installing a new battery, be sure to dispose of the old car battery at a battery dump. Also, dispose of any old rags used to clean up corrosion.
Cleaning Corrosion from Alkaline Battery Connectors
Wear rubber gloves to protect the skin from harmful battery acid. Alkaline batteries only become corroded if there is a battery acid leak. In the event of a leak, batteries should be disposed of properly and not reused. Battery acid is very hazardous. Do not keep leaky alkaline batteries. If the battery connectors are corroded, clean them off using an old toothbrush dipped in white vinegar. Once the corrosion is cleared, dab a cotton ball into some water and then sprinkle it with baking soda. Rub the cotton ball over the connectors. Dry each connector with an old rag and reconnect them to brand new alkaline batteries.
Making sure you keep your batteries and connectors clean and corrosion free will help extend the life of your batteries and electronics. Using proper cleaning methods and disposing of leaky batteries in a proper battery dump can help prevent bodily injury due to contact with battery acid. Proper disposal of leaky batteries also helps protect the environment. It is advised that battery connectors that are old and over corroded be disposed of and replaced.
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