Acid dust

[TrollFromDownBelow]

No you goof balls.... not the stuff you go trippin' with. I'm talking about the white dust created by the battery. What are some typical causes for a battery to release the vapors which creates the dust?

Decided it was time to rust proof the battery box area, pulled the battery out and the whole area was coated in the white dust. I've washed the whole area down with baking soda and water, and used a wire wheel to scrape loose paint/rust, then used POR 15. It's all fixed, but would like to keep the acid dust down to a minimum. Suggestions?

Thanks,
Mike

[Randy in Maine]

From wikipedia....

The white powder sometimes found around the battery terminals is usually lead sulfate which is toxic by inhalation, ingestion and skin contact. The corrosion is caused by an imperfect seal between the plastic battery case and lead battery post allowing sulfuric acid to react with the lead battery posts. The corrosion process is also expedited by over charging. Corrosion can also be caused by factors such as salt water, dirt, heat, humidity, cracks in the battery casing or loose battery terminals. Inspection, cleaning and protection with a light coating of dielectric grease are measures used to prevent corrosion of battery terminals.

[Amskeptic]

No you goof balls.... not the stuff you go trippin' with. I'm talking about the white dust created by the battery. What are some typical causes for a battery to release the vapors which creates the dust?

Decided it was time to rust proof the battery box area, pulled the battery out and the whole area was coated in the white dust. I've washed the whole area down with baking soda and water, and used a wire wheel to scrape loose paint/rust, then used POR 15. It's all fixed, but would like to keep the acid dust down to a minimum. Suggestions?

Thanks,
Mike

Clean it all as you have, then use dielectric grease on the terminals, coat them, the posts, the bolts/nuts.
No more Acid Dust Duuuude . . .