Wet Batteries

I replaced the lazarette hatches with the ones that a c-brat group ordered about a year ago. I found two things:

1) The original port hatch was improperly caulked and the core wet. This is the main reason the compartment was always wet. I had to dig out the core - about 1" in, and fill with epoxy. There was no caulk around some the of the screws. Water was flowing right through the core. Really poor workmanship.

2) The new hatches do not leak at all. Worth all the $75 or so I paid for the pair from someone on this site. Much better design.

Mike
 
I have been using dielectric grease (DC-3)for 40 yrs. It started in the oilfield on the north slope of Alaska. We used it at -50F to lubricate o-rings when assembling tools and pressure equipment and it withstood the +230F in the oilwell as well. Great stuff.
So I have been using it on my boat. A small can of it somehow got home with me a long time ago and it is still half full.
 
Jack in Alaska":qx98qlpl said:
I have been using dielectric grease (DC-3)for 40 yrs.............. A small can of it somehow got home with me a long time ago and it is still half full.
Click to expand...

Jack-

Ha!

I started using it when I began teaching in 1966!

We used it on vacuum equipment and bell jar bottoms for a seal.

Knew it would be a perfect lubricant for Elvstrom suction bailers on dinghy sailboats because it wouldn't dry out or gum up due to it having almost no vapor pressure, and therefore won't dry out or evaporate.

Has no affect on Neoprene or most plastics, either!

Stay warm!


Joe. :teeth :thup
 
One other trick you may want to consider to reduce battery corrosion-

Place/lay a copper penny on top of the battery near the positive post, not touching it.
This will act much like the zincs do on the outdrives.
I have done this on my car batteries for years and it does work.

Art
 
Sea Angel said:
Place/lay a copper penny on top of the battery near the positive post, not touching it.
This will act much like the zincs do on the outdrives.
I have done this on my car batteries for years and it does work.
Click to expand...
Hello Art,

How far away?

And I assume you glue it down or something, yes? Otherwise, it would end up in the battery tray or the bilge.
---
mike
 
All I have ever done was place the coin on the top of the battery case,
near the positive post and press it down against the case. I have not had
any "lost" from 'bouncing' off the top.

I would not use anything like 'grease' to hold it in place for that insulates
the coin. The idea is that acid fumes combined with the condensation
that accumulates on the top surface of the wet battery form a conductive
path for "surface" discharge and corrosion. The coin the acts as the zincs
do to minimize the corrosion of the terminals and connectors caused by
the circulating currents.

I am sure one of the more knowledgeable folks here could do a better job
explaining how this works. I got this from grandfather in the 50's and
have been very satisfied with the results since. There may be a better
method of prevention that I could learn.

Less I forget.. :xlol :xlol :xlol

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Have a healthy, properous and blessed year to one one and all.

Art
 
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