NOCO felt rings for base station backup batteries?

[RenoHuskerDu]

I use these little felt rings on every family vehicle, and keep them soaked in ATF. It does help enormously with reducing corrosion at the posts.

I'm building a 12v battery backup for my shack. At the heart are two large Group 31 FLA batteries that came out of my dump truck because the 3rd developed an internal short. They have, therefore, already been "voltage married" as it were. The posts are threaded, not automotive style as in the pic. But these rings would still sit on the flat lead around the 3/8" threaded posts.

Has anyone used these NOCO rings on your backup batteries? (NOCO was the name when they appeared decades ago, short for No Corrosion)

 

[mmckenna]

No, and I've got a lot of battery systems at work. Proper maintenance is key. These tend to just hide issues.

 

[TGuelker]

I have replaced a lot of batteries and have seen these on battery posts that were covered with corrosion. They just seal the gap between the battery case and the post. Once they dry out, they are useless. They are more of an add-on the parts store pushes.

What I have used, and have a can at home is CRC Battery Terminal Protector

The corrosion is caused by sulphuric gas leaking through the gap between the post and case. Usually this is because the battery is gassing. Chances are a battery that is corroded will fail a carbon pile load test.

 

[mmckenna]

I have replaced a lot of batteries and have seen these on battery posts that were covered with corrosion. They just seal the gap between the battery case and the post. Once they dry out, they are useless. They are more of an add-on the parts store pushes.

About a month ago I had a $16,000 battery installed at one of my sites. 3,600lb, 48 volts, 600ah. Installation was about $4000. The companies that make these batteries have warranties on them. To qualify for the warranty, it has to be installed to their specs.
No felt washers were used, nor spec'd by the manufacturer.

Not saying they should't be used, but I think preventative maintenance goes a lot farther. Periodically inspecting everything, removing connections and cleaning them, and retorquing fasteners will do a lot more for you in the long run. I do that with my vehicle batteries and it seems to work.

Never used those felt washers, don't plan on it.

 

[ramal121]

Even with the red/green washers or the icky red spray I have seen corrosion form. I have always had the best luck and used No-Ox. I do agree with mmckenna that timely PM inspections are the best but there are battery backups I have deployed where I don't see them for years. Depends on the customer. You do what you can.

 

[mmckenna]

and used No-Ox.

Thanks, couldn't remember the name of it. The big batteries come with a tub of that stuff that goes on all the connections before assembly.

 

[KevinC]

Even with the red/green washers or the icky red spray I have seen corrosion form. I have always had the best luck and used No-Ox. I do agree with mmckenna that timely PM inspections are the best but there are battery backups I have deployed where I don't see them for years. Depends on the customer. You do what you can.

When I worked for a large EMSR all 400+ sites in our market used NO-OX, never had an issue. Did a large LMR project several years back with all 50+ subsites having 2,000 amps worth of batteries and NO-OX on all terminals and no issues.

 

[RenoHuskerDu]

Even with the red/green washers or the icky red spray I have seen corrosion form. I have always had the best luck and used No-Ox. I do agree with mmckenna that timely PM inspections are the best but there are battery backups I have deployed where I don't see them for years. Depends on the customer. You do what you can.

I'm fond of ATF for those rings. In fact, I drip several drops of ATF on the top of the battery terminals every 6 months or so. Used ATF is fine, as long as you service your auto trans regularly.

I don't think the rings are anything other than media to hold the oil that inhibits corrosion.

I have not had battery terminal corrosion issues since, unless there are leaking caps on the FLA.

 

[slowmover]

No-Alox for many years, now a container of Penetrox.

BURNDY® P8A PENETROX™ A Copper Electrical Joint Compound - 8 oz Squeeze Bottle

Burndy P8A Penetrox Pen - Vi Oxide Inhibiting Compound - 8 oz - Visit and view our entire SkyGeek, Shop Supplies, Corrosion Inhibitor, section at SkyGeek!

skygeek.com

Still needs regular service. Same with DC Grounds and RF Bonds.

The felts chief advantage is easier ID of Pos/Neg (a good thing).

 

[brndnstffrd]

While maintenance is the most effective thing you can do, a bit of prevention can save headaches later. What I have been using for years is FLUID FILM | Powerful Corrosion Protection & Lubrication. It's used pretty extensively by the military and is pretty popular in the snow removal industry as a corrosion inhibitor and lubricant, and is non-conductive. I use it for many other things but in addition to my battery connections, I spray it in my snowplow plugs and it keeps out the water and stops them from freezing together. It's lanolin based and doesn't contain solvents so it wont dissolve rubber or plastics, and unlike WD-40 it doesn't evaporate or dry. Go over to the Testing section if you want to read up on the outside vetting by gov. and industry.

 

[W9WSS]

My mechanic says that they are useless and refuses to use them on my car and all his customers.

 

[D31245]

I remember installing these when I worked at Sears battery and tire center years ago. I recall they weren’t that effective at preventing corrosion.

 

[mmckenna]

While maintenance is the most effective thing you can do, a bit of prevention can save headaches later. What I have been using for years is FLUID FILM | Powerful Corrosion Protection & Lubrication. It's used pretty extensively by the military and is pretty popular in the snow removal industry as a corrosion inhibitor and lubricant, and is non-conductive. I use it for many other things but in addition to my battery connections, I spray it in my snowplow plugs and it keeps out the water and stops them from freezing together. It's lanolin based and doesn't contain solvents so it wont dissolve rubber or plastics, and unlike WD-40 it doesn't evaporate or dry. Go over to the Testing section if you want to read up on the outside vetting by gov. and industry.

That looks similar to LPS #3. I've used that on exterior connections before, trailer plugs, etc. Good stuff, works well.

LPS 3®

www.itwprobrands.com

 

[mmckenna]

I have not had battery terminal corrosion issues since, unless there are leaking caps on the FLA.

If it works for you, then there's your answer. Probably several ways to skin this cat.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

I have been using them in my cars with Walmart EverStart MAXX batteries and so far no corrosion. They come with a tiny spray can of some anti corrosive liquid. Can't say if it works or I have been lucky.

 

[ladn]

I've found that starting with clean terminals and cables, then spraying a liberal amount of silicone spray lubricant on the terminals, and along the cables works well to inhibit corrosion and repel liquids. I also spray the wiring loom where it enters the firewall.

Years ago, I used the goop-soaked felt washers and pretty much all they did was make a mess. The silicone spray dries and lasts for months. I usually do a couple of applications a year. I also spray my vehicles' ignition wires.

Keep silicone spray away from the fuel and intake system as the silicone can damage oxygen sensors.

 

[RenoHuskerDu]

I have replaced a lot of batteries and have seen these on battery posts that were covered with corrosion. They just seal the gap between the battery case and the post. Once they dry out, they are useless. They are more of an add-on the parts store pushes.

What I have used, and have a can at home is CRC Battery Terminal Protector

The corrosion is caused by sulphuric gas leaking through the gap between the post and case. Usually this is because the battery is gassing. Chances are a battery that is corroded will fail a carbon pile load test.

Would you agree that if a FLA is gassing, a proper 4-stage float charger was probably not used?

 

[merlin]

I used them on my vehicles batteries. What I have for battery backup are always vented properly, charged properly so no issues.
Install and a coating of WD-40 works great.