Battery drain, corrosion on terminal

Johnny2R · 4th April 2016, 15:02

Over the last 3-4 months, I've been finding that my CDT requires a jump start if I leave it for even as little as a week without using it. Most of my journeys are shortish ones so it is entirely possible the battery's never getting fully charged, but it's a new one, so I know there's nothing wrong with the battery as such. I clearly have some kind of slow drain.

Now, I know there's a system of diagnosing this which has been discussed on here before, but I have neither the time, patience nor sufficient confidence in my skills to do this, and have booked my car into a local (very good) auto electrics specialist on Wednesday for them to look at. The reason for this posting is that I did notice that the positive battery terminal/connector shows substantial (electrolytic?) corrosion, and I'm wondering whether this could somehow be a pointer to where the drain problem lies. Incidentally, I don't have sat-nav, which I know is one of the usual suspects.

Stickman · 4th April 2016, 16:55

Smear Vaseline on the top of both battery posts buddy - should keep the corrosion at bay
Regards
Chris

Johnny2R · 4th April 2016, 17:28

Good idea, will do. But could the corrosion be a cause of the drain?

Jakg · 4th April 2016, 17:47

I think it's unlikely - the only way energy can go anywhere is heat so it'd have to be getting hot to flatten your battery.

Irrespective, it could cause problems in the future - so I would clean it up with some sandpaper to get rid of the corrosion.

SD1too · 5th April 2016, 18:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny2R

Over the last 3-4 months, I've been finding that my CDT requires a jump start if I leave it for even as little as a week without using it.

Buy a 'smart' battery charger (C-tek are good) and leave it connected forat least 24 hours, preferably longer.

Quote:

Most of my journeys are shortish ones so it is entirely possible the battery's never getting fully charged ...

You are correct John.

Quote:

... but it's a new one, so I know there's nothing wrong with the battery as such.

A new battery will still become flat if it isn't charged, as will an older one. So I'm afraid that your conclusion isn't strictly true.

Quote:

I clearly have some kind of slow drain.

Have you? You cannot be certain of that unless you measure it.

Quote:

I did notice that the positive battery terminal/connector shows substantial (electrolytic?) corrosion ...

Do you mean white powder deposits John? If so, wipe them off and smear the terminal post with Vaseline. If not, can you explain what this "corrosion" looks like?

Simon

Stickman · 5th April 2016, 19:34

I remember an occasion many moons ago when my father in law called my brother out to fix the mother in laws non starting xj6
The battery terminals were severely covered in white chalky deposits and when cranked gave all the signs of a flat battery
He poured boiling water over the terminals which instantly dissolved all the crud
The car then started fine

Didn't even need to get the jump leads out

Regards
Chris

Johnny2R · 6th May 2016, 09:12

Sorry about late reply. Upshot is that it was looked at by local car electrics specialist who found no obvious battery drain, so put it down to the changed pattern of car use (using it far less, for occasional short journeys). In fact I've not had a problem for weeks now, as I've been having a few longer journeys (50-60 miles). Something to be aware of, but clearly no major problem.

SD1too · 6th May 2016, 13:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny2R

... it was looked at by local car electrics specialist who ... put it down to the changed pattern of car use (using it far less, for occasional short journeys).

Yep; please see my post number 5, first quote and answer.

I'm glad that you've solved it anyway.

Simon

Johnny2R · 6th May 2016, 14:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD1too

Yep; please see my post number 5, first quote and answer.

Yes, you were right. Unfortunately I can't so easily charge the battery routinely as I don't have a garage for the car, nor an outside power point.

muggerbee · 6th May 2016, 16:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny2R

Yes, you were right. Unfortunately I can't so easily charge the battery routinely as I don't have a garage for the car, nor an outside power point.

You could always try something like THIS

4th April 2016, 15:02	#1
Johnny2R Gets stuck in Rover 75 CDT Club Tourer Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Norwich Posts: 712 Thanks: 98 Thanked 47 Times in 24 Posts	Battery drain, corrosion on terminal Over the last 3-4 months, I've been finding that my CDT requires a jump start if I leave it for even as little as a week without using it. Most of my journeys are shortish ones so it is entirely possible the battery's never getting fully charged, but it's a new one, so I know there's nothing wrong with the battery as such. I clearly have some kind of slow drain. Now, I know there's a system of diagnosing this which has been discussed on here before, but I have neither the time, patience nor sufficient confidence in my skills to do this, and have booked my car into a local (very good) auto electrics specialist on Wednesday for them to look at. The reason for this posting is that I did notice that the positive battery terminal/connector shows substantial (electrolytic?) corrosion, and I'm wondering whether this could somehow be a pointer to where the drain problem lies. Incidentally, I don't have sat-nav, which I know is one of the usual suspects.

4th April 2016, 16:55	#2
Stickman Posted a thing or two Rover 75 saloon Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Bordon Posts: 1,856 Thanks: 250 Thanked 403 Times in 352 Posts	Smear Vaseline on the top of both battery posts buddy - should keep the corrosion at bay Regards Chris

4th April 2016, 17:28	#3
Johnny2R Gets stuck in Rover 75 CDT Club Tourer Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Norwich Posts: 712 Thanks: 98 Thanked 47 Times in 24 Posts	Good idea, will do. But could the corrosion be a cause of the drain?

4th April 2016, 17:47	#4
Jakg This is my second home N/A Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Suffolk Posts: 6,867 Thanks: 0 Thanked 397 Times in 302 Posts	I think it's unlikely - the only way energy can go anywhere is heat so it'd have to be getting hot to flatten your battery. Irrespective, it could cause problems in the future - so I would clean it up with some sandpaper to get rid of the corrosion.

5th April 2016, 19:34	#6
Stickman Posted a thing or two Rover 75 saloon Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Bordon Posts: 1,856 Thanks: 250 Thanked 403 Times in 352 Posts	I remember an occasion many moons ago when my father in law called my brother out to fix the mother in laws non starting xj6 The battery terminals were severely covered in white chalky deposits and when cranked gave all the signs of a flat battery He poured boiling water over the terminals which instantly dissolved all the crud The car then started fine Didn't even need to get the jump leads out Regards Chris

6th May 2016, 09:12	#7
Johnny2R Gets stuck in Rover 75 CDT Club Tourer Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Norwich Posts: 712 Thanks: 98 Thanked 47 Times in 24 Posts	Sorry about late reply. Upshot is that it was looked at by local car electrics specialist who found no obvious battery drain, so put it down to the changed pattern of car use (using it far less, for occasional short journeys). In fact I've not had a problem for weeks now, as I've been having a few longer journeys (50-60 miles). Something to be aware of, but clearly no major problem.