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Monthly Battery Maintenance
74 Prosine 2.5/3.0 Installation & Operation Guide
Equipment
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Water hose with spray nozzle or 5-gallon watering bucket
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Empty spray bottle
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Old clothing
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Eye protection
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Rubber gloves
Supplies
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Baking soda (always keep a supply on hand in the event of a spill)
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Water
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Hand cleaner or soap
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Towel
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After re-attaching cables only: liquid neoprene or white lithium grease (available at auto,
RV, and marine stores)
Procedure
Battery Enclosure and Batteries Mix four ounces of baking soda with a gallon of fresh water
and fill a spray bottle. Spray solution on all exposed surfaces of the battery compartment and wash
down the exposed surfaces of the batteries and their enclosure. Scrub stubborn areas. Baking soda will
neutralize any acid that may have collected on these surfaces. Finish by rinsing with water.
Terminals & Lugs Loose battery terminals and lugs exposed to open air corrode rapidly. The
corrosion appears as a white powder or granular foam on the terminals and any nearby exposed metal
parts. This is actually crystallized sulfuric acid, which is extremely corrosive. If it contacts your skin,
it will burn unless you rinse it off immediately. Most textiles that are exposed to this corrosive
eventually dissolve.
The most common cause of battery system failure is loose or corroded battery terminals and cable
lugs. If any white residue forms between the battery cable lug and the battery terminal, remove the
cable for cleaning. When you need to detach a battery cable, disconnect all loads and charging
sources. Using the appropriate tool, remove the Negative battery cable first and install it last.
Use a toothbrush (or other soft bristle brush) and baking soda to remove any stubborn residue.
Sprinkle the baking soda directly on the area and scrub with a wet toothbrush, adding water as
required, then rinse.
Reconnect the battery cable terminals to the battery lugs and tighten to the torque specified by the
battery or terminal lug manufacturer. If you do not have a torque wrench, use the appropriate tool to
tighten the bolts reasonably snug. Do not over-tighten.
After tightening the cables, evenly coat all the exposed metal surfaces of the battery terminals and
lugs with liquid neoprene, which will cure to form an airtight protective layer. If liquid neoprene is not
available, use a light coating of white lithium grease or other sealant. Don’t let anything come
between the mating surfaces of the lugs and terminals.