Re: [SilverStreak] Newbie battery question

["Tom Patterson" <pattersontj@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

More than I ever wanted to know, or to read either.

I think most of the message is just useless information for my purposes. 
For most other members as well, I suspect.

-Tom

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <waymark1@juno.com>
To: <sslist@tompatterson.com>
Sent: Friday, April 18, 2008 6:35 AM
Subject: Re: [SilverStreak] Newbie battery question


> Sorry, I didn't come up with this idea on my own. I originally got it from 
> my basic electricity and basic electronics teacher at Maplewood High 
> school in Nashville, Tn. He was a retired radio and electric power 
> engineer (not a lifetime schoolteacher). I'd provide his name but that was 
> over 40 years ago and I don't recall it; he was rather elderly then. I do 
> remember that he drove a Jag XKE.
>
> It is true that there are specialized lubricants for moving electrical 
> contacts.
>
> The heat conductive grease used on CPU and other semiconductor to heat 
> sink mating surfaces is not applied a lubricant but as a contact 
> improvement and corrosion protectant. If aluminum powder is used, it is 
> certainly not intended as a lubricant - when aluminum powder oxidizes it 
> becomes corundum, the same stuff as is used on Alox (aluminum oxide) 
> abrasive sheets and grinding wheels. The aluminum provides most of the 
> heat conduction and the grease provides sealing against oxygen to prevent 
> corrosion of the (usually) aluminum heat sinks, semiconductor cases, and 
> the aluminum powder in the grease.
> Other thermal greases or pastes are nonconductive of electrical current 
> while highly conductive of heat. Zinc oxide is one ingredient that 
> conducts heat but not electricity.
>
> That (most) greases are hydrocarbons does not mean they are conductive. 
> The plastic insulation used on most wiring is composed of hydrocarbon and 
> it is decidedly nonconductive. Pure carbon and graphite (carbon allotrope) 
> are fair conductors and are commonly used as dynamic contacts. Many motor 
> and generator brushes, distributor rotor contacts, etc., are made of 
> carbon-graphite mixed with other materials.
>
> The heavily loaded contact between the trailer coupler and the hitch ball 
> would seem to provide an excellent ground connection; however, experience 
> is that it is a poor and intermittent connection. Why? The grease or oil 
> that is on the surfaces of the coupler and ball is an insulator 
> (dielectric). Failure to have a wire ground between the trailer and tow 
> vehicle causes "fluting" - pitting of the surfaces from arcing as the 
> contact makes and breaks. Going without grease or oil causes galling - 
> microscopic pressure welding or seizing - of the surfaces. Rust also 
> appears rapidly. Rust is an excellent fine abrasive. Special grades are 
> called "jeweler's rouge." So a lubricant is necessary to reduce mechanical 
> wear, but will cause electrically induced wear due to arcing through the 
> insulative grease film between the parts. And, of course, flickering 
> markers and taillights.
>
> Common bearing and chassis grease is not designed to be used for 
> electrical contact protection. Special greases are used by automotive and 
> equipment contacts to improve contact by preventing corrosion. An example 
> is the grease you find when unplugging automotive computer and electronic 
> equipment connectors. Commonly instructions will be found to the effect 
> that you are warned not to wipe the grease off the contacts (unless, of 
> course, you have a tube or can of the special contact grease to provide a 
> replacement coating). The grease that comes in the bulb sockets should not 
> be wiped off or out either, particularly not to be regreased with common 
> bearing and chassis grease. There is usually enough grease in the sockets 
> (since manufacturers began greasing the sockets) for bulb replacements for 
> the life of the vehicle.
> One specialized paste is sold for spark plug terminals, distributor rotor 
> contacts and tips, distributor cap posts and tips, distributor cap towers, 
> etc.
>
> "Dielectric" means "insulating."
>
> Battery terminals and clamps are a particular problem area for grease 
> between the mating surfaces because they have a relatively large contact 
> area and low contact pressure per area. Chassis grounds do not present 
> such a potential of high resistance from grease contamination as they 
> usually are provided with toothed washers that will bite through any 
> grease and dig into the chassis metal for a good contact.
>
> I have personally experienced smoking battery clamps caused by ordinary 
> lubricating grease raising the resistance of the connection. Thoroughly 
> removing all grease, wirebrushing the post and clamp inner surface, and 
> reconnecting fixed the problem. A coating of grease over the connection, 
> worked into the recesses and then the excess wiped off, protects from 
> future corrosion.
>
> Aluminum wire, used on some RVs years ago (I hope no longer), is a special 
> case. The oxide of aluminum is a total insulator, unlike the oxide of 
> copper, which is a fiar conductor. Aluminum wire connections require a 
> special corrosion inhibitor paste. The device connection screw clamps bite 
> into the wire so that no paste is in between the wire and the clamp screw. 
> (Certain devices specify that no paste be used on their connections.)
>
> Acid corrosion of battery posts and clamps is due to damaged seals around 
> the bases of the posts (like from beating on the posts, picking the 
> battery up by the posts) or overcharging of the battery. Ideally, no acid 
> ever exits the battery. Protective coating of the terminals is in 
> recognition that in vehicular applications "ideal" does not happen, not 
> for long. Also, corrosive mists blow all over the vehicle from road spray, 
> ocean salt air, air pollution, etc. This is bad enough over the entire 
> vehicle. Add electricity and it is worse.
>
> Petroleum greases soften, crack and can even dissolve "rubber" radiator 
> and heater hoses. Only a grease approved for vulcanized latex rubber, such 
> as castor (old fashioned vegetable grease), silicone or PAO grease made 
> for internal brake cylinder lubrication, may be used on such parts. Grease 
> sold for use INSIDE brake cylinders (on parts that contact brake fluid), 
> NOT "caliper slider" or brake pad backing plate grease, is such a grease.
>
> An example of the recognition of the problem of grease insulation of 
> static (nonmoving, like a clamp on a battery post) electric contacts:
>
> "ANTI-CORROSIVE BATTERY TERMINAL
>
> "BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field This invention relates, in 
> general, to corrosion protective covers for battery posts and, more 
> particularly, to covers utilizing grease as an anti-corrosive medium.
>
> "The driving public is well aware of the continuing problems with battery 
> post corrosion and the resultant electrical power loss because of wire 
> erosion and poor contact points. Another common problem, experienced by 
> operators of large trucks and commercial vehicles, is the lack of post 
> contacts on a battery for connection to other batteries, auxiliary 
> equipment, etc.
>
> "One of the earlier efforts at providing a protective cover was the 
> invention of J. A. Johnson, U.S. Patent No. 1,686,817, consisting of two 
> complemental parts which were filled with grease and then clamped 
> [NOTE -->] together about a battery post. A problem inherent with the 
> Johnson device was the problem of obtaining good electrical contact 
> because of the grease in that the grease had to be applied before 
> clamping.
>
> "A device that is still widely used and quite effective is the fibrous 
> washer of F.G. Dewey, U.S. Patent No. 1,671,016, which is impregnated with 
> acid resisting grease and which surrounds the base of the battery post. 
> The Dewey device fails to protect the entire post.
> [These are those red and green washers sold by automotive and marine 
> battery dealers.]
>
> "A later device which does cover the post is that of H. D. Weaver, U.S. 
> [NOTE -->] Patent No. 2,269,296. The Weaver device suffers from the same 
> problem as Johnson in that the post receiving socket must be coated with 
> grease before placement, with resultant poor contact area. Weaver utilizes 
> a tapered screw to make electrical contact after the grease placement.
>
> "Other relevant inventions are those of W. T. Hasting, U.S. Patent No. 
> 1,541,495; J. K. Schaefer , U.S. Patent No. 2,119,294; W. M. Osborn, U.S. 
> Patent No. 3,152,854; and A. P. Bailey, U.S. Patent No. 3,795,891.
>
> [NOTE -->] "None of the inventions solve the problem of utilizing a 
> corrosion resistant grease to protect the entire surface of the battery 
> post and still provide grease free electrical contacts.
>
> "DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises an anti- 
> corrosive battery terminal including a terminal block with battery post 
> [NOTE -->] receiving socket and provided with a grease fitting for 
> injection of grease within the socket after the block is clamped to the 
> battery post by screw clamps. It is therefore a primary object of the 
> present invention to provide an anti-corrosive battery terminal which 
> includes a terminal block with post receiving socket which may be filled 
> with grease after clamping contacts are made with the post. More 
> particularly it is an object of the present invention to provide an 
> [NOTE -->] anti-corrosive battery terminal which includes a terminal block 
> with socket and with screw clamps for making secure "dry" contact with the 
> battery post before the addition of grease to the enveloping socket.
>
> "Even more particularly, it is an object of the present invention to 
> provide an anti-corrosive battery terminal which includes a terminal 
> [NOTE -->] block with a grease fitting for injection of grease into a post 
> receiving socket after electrical contacts are made to the post.
>
> "Another object of the present invention is to provide an anti- corrosive 
> battery terminal which includes a plurality of terminal contact posts.
>
> "It is an additional object of the present invention to provide an 
> anti-corrosive battery terminal having contact posts which make direct 
> contact with the battery post.
>
> "Additional objects and advantages will become apparent and a more 
> thorough and comprehensive under- standing may be had from the following 
> description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings forming a 
> part of this specification.
>
> "BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a 
> battery terminal made according to the present invention, shown mounted to 
> a battery post; the post and socket being shown in outline.
>
> "FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
>
> "FIG. 3 is a plan view of the terminal of FIG. 1.
>
> "FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the grease fitting, with check valve, of 
> the present invention.
>
> "BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, 
> and, more particularly, to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, an embodiment to be 
> preferred of an anti-corrosive battery terminal 10, made according to the 
> present invention, is disclosed. Battery terminal 10 is in the form of a 
> terminal block 20 defining a battery receiving socket 30, a grease fitting 
> 40, and clamp means 50.
>
> "Terminal block 20 may be constructed of any suitable material, either 
> electricity conducting or insulative. It is preferred however, that the 
> block be made of conductive material for conduction of electricity to 
> terminal contact posts 55, as will hereinafter be explained. Copper and 
> bronze are preferred metals for construction of the block and doped 
> plastics, also called conducting polymers, such as polyacetylene doped 
> with iodine, may also be highly desirable because of its high electrical 
> conductivity as well as its ability to be molded. The block is preferably 
> in the form of of a cube, having outer surfaces including the top 21 and 
> the four sides, designated generally by the numeral 22, and having an 
> undersurface 23 on the opposing side from the top. Formed, by machining or 
> otherwise, on the bottom surface 23 is a battery post receiving socket 30 
> which is slightly larger in all dimensions than the battery post 5 of 
> battery 3. Also formed within block 20 is a threaded con!
> duit 27, extending between socket 30 and the outer surface of the block. 
> In the preferred embodiment conduit 27 extends between the socket and top 
> surface 21 for the placement of grease fitting 40.
>
> "Grease fitting 40, one type of which is shown in FIG. 4, is provided with 
> threads mateable with the threads of conduit 27 so that the fitting may be 
> simply screwed into the conduit. Fitting 40, also known as a grease 
> 'zerk,' includes a check valve, designated generally by the numeral 45, 
> forming an effective seal, and also includes a post 44, rising vertically 
> from block 20, for convenient engagement by a grease gun, not shown. While 
> fitting 40 may be located anywhere on the block, for ready access it is 
> mounted through top 21 of the block.
>
> "Also mounted on block 20 are a selected number of terminal contact posts 
> 55 for the attachment of electrical wires leading to the starter, other 
> batteries, auxiliary units, etc. Contact posts 55 are constructed of any 
> suitable material and are preferably in the form of steel machine bolts 
> which are screwed into threaded apertures 57 in the block. Where block 20 
> is constructed of electricity conducting material, electrical contact 
> between posts 55 and block 20 may be sufficient, although it is always 
> preferred that posts 55 make contact with the battery post 5. Where block 
> 20 is constructed of electricity insulative material, contact between 
> posts 55 and battery posts 5 must be made. It is obvious that one or more 
> contact posts 55 may also serve as clamp means 50 for attachment of block 
> 20 to the battery post.
>
> "For installation of terminal block 20 onto battery post 5, the battery 
> post should be clean and free of oxides and other forms of corrosion and 
> the interior surface of socket 30 of block 20 should also be free of 
> grease or other contaminants. The block is simply placed over post 5 with 
> socket 30 surrounding the post about the sides and top. If desired, though 
> unnecessary, a porous fabric washer 9, well known in the art, may be 
> placed around the base of battery post 5. Clamping means 50, in the form 
> of contact post bolts 55, are then screwed into threaded apertures 57 
> until the flattened, blunt end of the bolt securely engages the battery 
> post to obtain maximum electrical contact surface. While a single bolt may 
> serve to clamp the block in place to the battery post, it is recommended 
> that at least one other bolt 55 make contact with the post, and, as before 
> stated, contact is necessary where block 20 is constructed of insulative 
> material. Once bolts 55 are in place, corrosio!
> n preventive grease, or the like, is injected through grease fitting 40 
> into socket 30 to completely fill the socket. Excess grease exiting the 
> base of the socket at the undersurface 23 of block 20 may simply be wiped 
> away. If porous washer 9 is in place, air readily flows through the washer 
> to prevent any air bubbles within the socket, and the washer soon becomes 
> saturated with grease to form an airtight seal. It is to be particularly 
> noted and is an important part of the invention that all contacts between 
> terminal contact posts 55 or clamping means 50 and battery post 5 are made 
> before the addition of any grease so that the grease, which is 
> electrically insulative, can in no way impair the contacts. It is also to 
> be noted that electrical contact can be made over a large surface area 
> between the blunt end of bolts 55 and the battery post. Having thus 
> described in detail a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is 
> to be appreciated and will be apparent to those !
> skilled in the art that many physical changes could be made in!
>  the app
> aratus without altering the inventive concepts and principles embodied 
> therein. The present embodiment is therefore to be considered in all 
> respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention 
> being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing 
> description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of 
> equivalency of the claims are therefore to be embraced therein."
> [REFERENCE:] 
> http://www.wipo.int/pctdb/en/wo.jsp?IA=US1989001594&DISPLAY=DESC
>
> -- thetansedan@aol.com wrote:
>
> The NO-ALOX I have been using for 20-years is available at Home Depot and 
> is specified for aluminum-to-aluminum connections (and some others). B I 
> use it on cars, etc. B I apply it to the terminals AFTER brushing them 
> with a tool for same (fresh bright metal) but BEFORE the connection is 
> made. B I wipe off the excess. B I rarely have to re-do it, even after 
> years of use. B I have not used grease to cover the connections for years 
> because I get tired of getting it on my wrists or sleeves when working 
> around batteries. B This has worked well for me.
>
> I also use MIL-SPEC terminations and cabling as big as I can fit. B I 
> usually have someone make it for me once I have decided to overhaul the 
> system. B WEST MARINE is a good source for ANCOR brand, much superior to 
> auto parts stores.
>
> I much appreciate Eddies comments, I wholly agree with the knowledge we 
> are obligated to give to others. B Mine, above, is just what I do.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ken Wilson <ke5dfr@sbcglobal.net>
> To: sslist@tompatterson.com
> Sent: Mon, 14 Apr 2008 12:55 am
> Subject: RE: [SilverStreak] Newbie battery question
>
> For years I have applied a coating of grease to my battery terminals when 
> I install a battery.  I generally use the bearing grease that is in the 
> grease gun.  This practice was taught to me by my Dad.  It is also a good 
> idea to put a thin film on light bulb bases.
>
> Ken
>
> Ken Wilson
> KE5DFR
> Cypress, Texas
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: sslist-admin@tompatterson.com [mailto:sslist-admin@tompatterson.com] 
> On
> Behalf Of Eddie
> Sent: Saturday, April 12, 2008 6:42 PM
> To: sslist@tompatterson.com
> Subject: Re: [SilverStreak] Newbie battery question
>
> Al,
> That is totally incorrect. Grease is a hydrocarbon. It promotes 
> conductivity and it conducts electricity not much differently than the 
> carbon brushes in your electric drill or blender. There are specialized 
> greases for sensitive contact connections, which lead lugs to lead lugs 
> are not, that are even designed for specific types of metals. There is 
> dielectric grease and others. Your CPU processor must have a white grease 
> beneath it to conduct heat and that grease is constantly improved upon. It 
> is basically a grease with extremely fine aluminum powder in it. Without 
> that grease your processor would instantly burn up.
>
> You are correct that grease should be liberally applied as a protective
> coating over the completed assembly. You are totally incorrect to believe 
> the grease will interfere with the contact of the concealed lead to lead 
> connection. It will do three things and they are; Promote the electrical 
> contact connection, Totally prevent the inevitable seepage of acid 
> corrosion between the tapered post and tapered lug, and Allow the soft 
> metal to move while tightening forming a uniform shape to shape mating.
>
> You can see the application in most every automotive 1157 and 1156 bulb on 
> any modern vehicle including your own. Simply remove a bulb and you will 
> see the industry learned in 1983 to apply a bulb grease to the entire bulb 
> base and socket. Bulb grease is available everywhere and no bulb including 
> the 1995 and up pin-based bulbs should ever be installed without the 
> grease.
> Prior to the greasing of bulb bases, a constant corrosion occurred to the 
> base and bulb causing a loss of ground connection as well a B+ contact. As 
> the connection was lost, the socket heated up ruining the socket 
> components.
>
> Advising and reminding the good people of this forum to take the little
> extra and messy step of greasing everything from batteries to bulbs, 
> rubber hoses that connect to radiators, their trailer connectors, and much 
> more is proper, correct, and professional. I am no expert, but I am a 
> professional and I would be totally remiss to participate in this forum, 
> with people I care about, have never and probably will never meet, but not 
> share such a simple and basic knowledge.
>
> It is no big deal, I am not special, and I really don't care if you choose 
> to "do it your way". People get tired, don't want to bother, or just hate 
> the mess. That is absolutely ok with me, but if my old grandpa was here, 
> he'd make you take it all back apart and do it right. This is nothing new.
>
> -Eddie-
> Houston, TX
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <waymark1@juno.com>
> To: <sslist@tompatterson.com>
> Sent: Saturday, April 12, 2008 2:21 PM
> Subject: Re: [SilverStreak] Newbie battery question
>
>
>> Protective coatings like grease should be applied AFTER the connection is 
>> made. If grease is applied before the connection is made, it may 
>> interfere with the contact.
>> At Walmart you will find both deep discharge cycle and combination
>> starting/deep cycle batteries that have both wingnut and post terminals.
>> Other suppliers have them too.
>> Al