Advertise on DISCO4.COM
Forum · Gallery · Wiki · Shop · Sponsors
DISCO4.COM > General

Battery terminals - Vaseline, Copper Grease or ...... ?
Post Reply  Down to end
Page 1 of 1
carbore
 


Member Since: 06 Apr 2016
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 545

United Kingdom 2009 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE Auto Zermatt SilverDiscovery 3
Battery terminals - Vaseline, Copper Grease or ...... ?

Ok, what do people use to protect battery terminals when fitting batteries

I recently read a thread where it suggested vaseline on the terminals BEFORE fitting the claps, which I disagree with as vaseline is an insulator. OK on the clamps/posts after fitting but....

I have favoured copper grease, as its a conductor so can go on before the clamps and then a bit after. The only drawback its its not great to get on clothes etc so if for example you jump start people you can get transference.

My D3 came with nothing on and the terminals were fine, my Freelander had what looked like white lithium grease over clamps which is ok IMO.

What do you think ?
 Disco 3: Lotus Elise S1: Ferguson T20: Audi A2  
Post #193559511th Apr 2018 7:20 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
kajtzu
 


Member Since: 10 Aug 2017
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 6538

Finland 2005 Discovery 3 4.4 V8 HSE Auto Cairns BlueDiscovery 3

I don’t have anything on my terminals. The place which fitted the new battery didn’t seem to put anything on anyone else’s cars either.
  
Post #193559911th Apr 2018 7:24 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Dan the Man
 


Member Since: 20 Mar 2014
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 215

Scotland 2009 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE Auto Tangiers OrangeDiscovery 3

I’ve used dielectric grease on electrical terminals on my winch, which is exposed to the elements on the front of the vehicle.
Thumbs Up

 1981 Unimog U1300L (ex German Army vehicle

Previous:
Discovery 3 G4 Challenge
Golf R DSG
BMW 535d M Sport Touring
2010 D4 HSE in Nara Bronze 
 
Post #193561011th Apr 2018 7:53 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
DN
D3 Decade 


Member Since: 23 Jun 2006
Location: W.London.
Posts: 2290

Ukraine 2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 Base 7 Seat Auto Zambezi SilverDiscovery 3

Copper grease on the posts before fitting the connections, and then vaseline over the exterior of the clamps and top of posts, is the way I would go. Laughing Although have just used vaseline for this purpose for 40 odd yrs motoring without a problem Whistle
 D3 owned from new, P017 brake recall, BAS FBHIC, new FBH, LR013487 oil pump, new water pump. RRS front lower suspension arms. New suspension compressor/ relay. New Denso alternator. CuNifer rear brake pipes. New GKN rear propshaft. New HPFP belt & tensioner. New A/C Condenser.NO WARRANTY for many many years.  
Post #193563011th Apr 2018 8:30 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
lynalldiscovery
 


Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274

United Kingdom 2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 Metropolis LE Auto Bonatti GreyDiscovery 3

I kin hate copaslip, dirty stuff gets everywhere you dont want it.

Wurth do some really good battery terminal protector in aerosol form, we were all dismissive of it to start with but over the last 18 mths its proven itself, it dries and even the steam cleaner cant get it off, so no chance of transference, on ebay for 13 gbp per tin which is a lot of money for something that will see very little use.

Their 2000 aerosol spray is also good as it goes sort of tacky and is what I use.
  
Post #193567212th Apr 2018 6:15 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
d-9
 


Member Since: 06 Feb 2017
Location: Herefordshire
Posts: 132

United Kingdom 

What are you trying to protect your battery terminals from? I thought you just put them on the battery, tightened them up and ignored them.
 2008 TDV8 Sport HSE
1973 SIII Lightweight
Etc 
 
Post #193569012th Apr 2018 7:43 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Browny90
 


Member Since: 19 Jul 2016
Location: Ashbourne
Posts: 686

United Kingdom 2016 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 Landmark LE Auto Santorini BlackDiscovery 4

When working on HGVs I never used Copper grease on battery terminals. I attended various breakdowns on fuel tankers, they have a very sensitive battery isolator/ shut off, I had some which were tripped by a small current shorting through the grease onto the battery clamps, I found that people used to smear it a bit too liberally.. I would 'go in dry' and cover, or a small amount of Vaseline just as a water repellent.

To be honest, I worked on Scania's where the batteries were pretty exposed, I would also use the same method on my Defender, but since the D4 battery is pretty well protected from the elements I would leave them dry..

With a check each year for corrosion I cant see you having any problems.

You can also buy 'Battery Terminal Protector' which if I remember correctly is like a green slime in a spray can..
 Disco4 MY16 SDV6 Landmark Black
Disco4 MY12 SDV6 XS Orkney Grey (Gone)
Defender 90 200tdi Completely rebuilt. 
 
Post #193569212th Apr 2018 8:08 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Lost for Words
 


Member Since: 03 Sep 2013
Location: Warminster, Wiltshire
Posts: 6703

United Kingdom 2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE Auto Zambezi SilverDiscovery 3

I use this:

Click image to enlarge


Also useful if you're looking for a very thick, waxy grease. Thumbs Up
 Current: Discovery 3 06MY (55 reg) HSE Auto Zambezi Silver Zambezi Silver Allisport Fast Road Intercooler, V8 Brakes, Silicone IC Hoses, EGRs Blanked, Remapped, De-Cat pipe, FBHIC
Freelander 2 2007 HSE Manual Tambora Flame
Previous: FL2 56 reg SE Manual Black (written off Sad )
Disco 3 06 reg B7S Manual Rimini Red Rimini Red
Disco 2 TD5 Y reg ES Manual Blue - Chipped Very Happy
Several Discovery 300 TDis
 
 
Post #193571112th Apr 2018 8:46 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
highlands
 


Member Since: 10 Jan 2010
Location: NW Highlands
Posts: 5085

Ukraine 2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE Auto Java BlackDiscovery 3

kajtzu wrote:
I don’t have anything on my terminals. The place which fitted the new battery didn’t seem to put anything on anyone else’s cars either.


Land Rover don't put any grease on the lower wishbone bolts either....
I tend to variously use copper grease, Vaseline or white lithium grease on the posts/clamps after fitting.

That said, I've known plenty of people use Vaseline on the posts and never heard of any problems related to it.
 Black 05 TDV6 HSE Auto
Grey 05 TDV6 HSE Auto (Gone)
54 TDV6 SE Man (killed by me Sad
 
Post #193571912th Apr 2018 9:13 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
epninety
 


Member Since: 12 Oct 2012
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 327

Wales 2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE Auto Java BlackDiscovery 3
Re: Battery terminals - Vaseline, Copper Grease or ...... ?

carbore wrote:

I recently read a thread where it suggested vaseline on the terminals BEFORE fitting the claps, which I disagree with as vaseline is an insulator. OK on the clamps/posts after fitting but....


Vaseline flows away from the point of pressure, but keeps water and air out from the metal-metal junction. I use it on ever wiring connection I make on any of my vehicles. Dip wire ends in it before fitting crimp terminals, then dip the crimp terminals before mating. It tends to prevent water wicking up the wire too, so no cutting 6" of wire back before finding bright copper instead of black.

A wipe over battery terminals before fitting won't hurt in the slightest, it flows into the interstices in the surface and doesn't measurably raise contact resistance in my experience. Not all copper grease is a good conductor either.
  
Post #193572512th Apr 2018 9:33 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
lynalldiscovery
 


Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274

United Kingdom 2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 Metropolis LE Auto Bonatti GreyDiscovery 3

Browny90 wrote:
When working on HGVs I never used Copper grease on battery terminals. I attended various breakdowns on fuel tankers, they have a very sensitive battery isolator/ shut off, I had some which were tripped by a small current shorting through the grease onto the battery clamps, I found that people used to smear it a bit too liberally.. I would 'go in dry' and cover, or a small amount of Vaseline just as a water repellent.

To be honest, I worked on Scania's where the batteries were pretty exposed, I would also use the same method on my Defender, but since the D4 battery is pretty well protected from the elements I would leave them dry..

With a check each year for corrosion I cant see you having any problems.

You can also buy 'Battery Terminal Protector' which if I remember correctly is like a green slime in a spray can..


3 series or the 4 series?
  
Post #193575112th Apr 2018 11:33 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Browny90
 


Member Since: 19 Jul 2016
Location: Ashbourne
Posts: 686

United Kingdom 2016 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 Landmark LE Auto Santorini BlackDiscovery 4

I started in 2000 left in 2011 so was 3, 4 then P,R,T Series.. Thumbs Up

Don't see many 3 Series about these days..
 Disco4 MY16 SDV6 Landmark Black
Disco4 MY12 SDV6 XS Orkney Grey (Gone)
Defender 90 200tdi Completely rebuilt. 
 
Post #193577612th Apr 2018 12:54 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Randylover
 


Member Since: 31 Jan 2011
Location: Staffordshire
Posts: 1172

United Kingdom 2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 S Manual Zermatt SilverDiscovery 3

I have the Wurth one, I think it’s called Kontact
Leaves a blueish film and as above post seems very effective and long lasting
I used to use it on my winch Anderson sockets and it preformed fine then also

Andy
 05 TDV6,"S" in all colourcoded Zermatt silver,7 seats winter pack HK 6cd stereo,Dual climate,Xenons,

Mods:
Re-Con Engine,De-Tango,Reverse camera,Fog/DRl lights,Aux Battery, perm Aux socket in boot,LED Volt meters in roof panel,Built in tom tom, Strobes fitted in grille, Aux switches for trailer lights fitted in roof panel,Roof Rails,Grille conversion 
 
Post #193579012th Apr 2018 1:53 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
lynalldiscovery
 


Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274

United Kingdom 2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 Metropolis LE Auto Bonatti GreyDiscovery 3

Browny90 wrote:
I started in 2000 left in 2011 so was 3, 4 then P,R,T Series.. Thumbs Up

Don't see many 3 Series about these days..


Yrs ago I was always a volvo man, then we got 3 series not impressed at all, but they grew on me as pretty easy trucks to fix and reliable to boot, then we got a load of the first 4 series Big Cry

Got a load of new P cab tractors in late 2015, was very surprised when I got underneath to see they still had greasable shackle pins!
  
Post #193582412th Apr 2018 3:58 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
carbore
 


Member Since: 06 Apr 2016
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 545

United Kingdom 2009 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE Auto Zermatt SilverDiscovery 3

Thanks for all the input, surprised about vaseline on the terminals before clamps but makes some sense re water displacement and barrier.

I did a light vaseline coating when I fitted my battery yesterday.
 Disco 3: Lotus Elise S1: Ferguson T20: Audi A2  
Post #193625913th Apr 2018 7:24 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Post Reply
Display posts from the last:  
Post Reply Back to top
Page 1 of 1
Jump to:  
Previous Topic | Next Topic >


Posting Rules
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum



DISCO4.COM Copyright © 2004-2024 Futuranet Ltd & Martin Lewis
DISCO3.CO.UK RSS Feed - All Forums

DISCO4.COM is independent and not affiliated to Land Rover.
Switch to Mobile Site