Solar - Batteries - Maintenance

[glenn kangiser]

I noticed a bit of lack of capacity on my batteries.  This can happen for lots of reasons but corroded terminals can be one.  I have 24 big terminals that are not that easy to work on.

I noticed one large cable getting hot when charging so this told me that there was resistance at the terminal.  Resistance generates heat under load -- charge or discharge.

This temperature differential from the low resistance terminals makes it ideal for easialy checking with a point and check infrared temperature sensor such as you can get from Harbor Freight for around $39 if I recall correctly.  This way you only repair or clean the hot terminals - the ones with high resistance and corrosion inside where you cannot see it.



Good low resistance and low heat



Bad - high resistance and high heat

[MountainDon]

Good use for the tool.   

I use a spray that I picked up at Autozone. You use it to coat the newly cleaned and assembled connection. It prevents this from happening. 

[glenn kangiser]

I used up a can or two of that over the years, and yes - it does help for a while.

I need to get another can of it.

I located four hot terminals - one or more on each set.  I'll recheck in a few days and try to remember the spray.  I have no worries about corrosion getting into my crimped and soldered terminals on the 4/0 wire.  If they were only crimped I have seen corrosion inside requiring new ends.  With soldered also it is only on the outside.

[Okie_Bob]

Great tip Glenn. It can be used with any lead acid battery like cars and boats.
Okie Bob

[glenn kangiser]

Thanks BoB.  I was thinking it could even be used to safety check home power panel.  I know of several that have burned up due to loose connections or aluminum wiring or contacts. 

Anywhere there is a potential for heat differential when something is under load.  In general most home wiring usuallu works or it doesn't but a new house burned here last year due to the new, code inspected wiring overheating and catching on fire.

Code only guarantees that your house is built to the lowest allowable government approved standard there is... if the inspector cares to make more than a cursory check....after he has your money in his fist and is running to the county bank to keep the bloated everlasting pensions funded.

Yes --- I know....there are some good ones.