- This topic has 0 replies, 1 voice, and was last updated 5 years, 9 months ago by
CLOC-Admin.
CLOC-Admin.- Topic
CLOC-AdminI was reading of the benefits of adding 2 oz. of mineral oil to each cell of our 12-volt batteries. The oil cuts down on the sulfation of the plates and prevents or at least minimizes the “gassing” of the batteries. The gassing is what causes the acid built-up on the posts, wiring and the battery hold-downs, plus any metals around the batteries. The acid will eat thru the paint and reduce the metals to nothing, if left unchecked. By adding mineral oil you reduce corrosion and the amount of water needed.I’m thinking of trying it, but was wondering if anyone else has?
Posted: 2:36 PM – Sep 24, 2013Yep, sure have. We still have the factory, single 12v battery which has 6 cells/caps. We added 1 ounce to each cell and the proper water level. Since, I have not had any white residue in the battery compartment.
On the subject of mineral oil, I also use it in the black and grey tanks for lubrication of the tanks seals. It will always float to the top. So as the tank is draining, I work the waste gate to absorb the mineral oil and it works so much better. PhillipPosted: 3:37 PM – Sep 24, 2013I have never tried it but have seen many posts and articles in the past about this subject and have never seen a negative side to it. It seems everyone that uses it swears by it. Let us know how it works for you if you try it. You know how your batteries have performed in the past so if it works you should notice a difference in corrosion and evaporation. I’m still running on my original 2 batteries for 3 years with very little evaporation and corrosion but I never throw my batteries into a deep cycle condition since we never boondock anymore. My battery compartment and batteries are as clean as the day I purchased it. I do clean my terminals once a year though.Chip
Posted: 4:21 PM – Sep 24, 2013Our batteries take little water, but I’m getting some corrosion on the metal on the hold down straps, it’s suppose to help with that also.I like the idea of using it in our holding tanks.
Posted: 6:44 PM – Sep 24, 2013If you grease the battery posts and ends and the hold downs . That will keep them from getting corrosion on them. I have been doing my battery posts and ends on my automobiles for years that way . And that keeps them from getting corrosion on them. I have AGM batteries in all my vehicles now , So that takes care of the corrosion problem also.Posted: 8:33 PM – Sep 24, 2013I’ve always like adding grease to the posts along with a felt spacer, and found it to be effective along with proper cleaning.Also thought, what the heck, why not go to the source. As a fan of Interstate Batteries, I chose to send them an e-mail to see what they say about it and will post their response when received.
After what I considered an early failure of the first set of batteries, I replaced our two (series wired/12V/RV/Marine) and they’ve been fine since. No residue noted, but our battery compartment did not come with any sort of hold downs. The lip of the door would stop them from knocking through as I have to lift them to remove them for access. The compartment interior is fully encased in plastic, and the door opens from the top.
Interesting topic.
Posted: 11:26 AM – Sep 25, 2013Mineral oil sounds like a slick idea so long as the water never gets so low that the oil not water touching the plates.Since installing four golf cart batteries 4 years ago I have been using the medium height versions of the water miser battery caps:
http://www.flowsystemsusa.com/water-mis … 7Aod2GkAygI see a 12 pack of the shorter standard version now discounted at:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/320858054353?lpid=82I easily get 6 months before I need to think about adding water even in Florida heat; and my battery tops and terminals remain spotless. That said, I use a gallon of distilled water every year.
Posted: 8:02 PM – Sep 25, 2013Response from Interstate Battery:
Mr. Thomas,
I asked our engineering team and this was their response.Answer: Approximately 6 years ago there were gas evolution tests comparison run on this topic.
1. Same battery types2. Same charging regime
3. One group with mineral oil & one group without
BCI sanctioned Gas evolution testing protocol was used
Results indicated there was no to minimal difference in gas evolution between the groups.
So, my comments are:
A. In warranty batteries – No! Do not add. The warranty adjustment period and level will be affected.
B. Out of warranty batteries – Up to customer
C. Will damage a hydrometer if you try to test specific gravities
Thanks,
Al
Posted: 7:04 AM – Sep 26, 2013I am an electrical engineer with some experience in my career with industrial lead acid batteries. I would not add anything to a lead acid battery. In fact, in my career, we went to great lengths to keep any type of contamination out of the battery.As far as corrosion on the battery terminals goes, corrosion is an electro-chemical reaction between the corroding metal and oxygen. The electrical charge on the battery terminals promotes corrosion. The only way to prevent it is to keep the oxygen away, which is how terminal grease works.
If you want a truly maintenance free battery, go with an AGM type. These batteries are completely sealed so there is no gas discharge. In addition, they have a very rugged physical design, which is nice since they bounce around a bit in RV applications. The most common cause of battery failure in vehicle applications is some physical failure internal to the battery. The internal components, being lead, just don’t have that much physical strength. The lead support structures weaken as the battery ages and eventually one of the lead plates breaks off its support and shorts the battery internally. This is not an issue with AGM batteries as the internal design is different.
Posted: 8:01 AM – Sep 26, 2013Thanks for all the great information; I know I can always count on this group to keep me out of trouble.I won’t be putting mineral oil in our batteries, but will be adding some to our waste tanks to lubricate the valves.
Posted: 9:35 AM – Sep 26, 2013I figured I had nothing to loose by trying the mineral oil in the batteries. I read a lot of other posts on other forums about the subject and anyone who had used the oil had only positive things to say compared to none at all – for even up to 8 years. So I figured I had noting to loose in trying it. I was sick of the mess I was getting. If I start to get a mess again, I will discount the benefit. PhillipPosted: 8:25 PM – Sep 26, 2013I added 1-3 oz of mineral oil per cell in my interstate green top marine/rv batteries that or in the camper last April when we started fulltiming. As of now I have added NO water to these. On the other hand my golf cart batteries have used about 1 and 1/2 gallons in the last 6 months. I know that there’s alot more battery, but the camper didn’t use any H2OPosted: 3:28 PM – Oct 18, 2013We’ve been on the road about two weeks now and I’ve added “mineral oil’ to both the gray and black tanks. I’m impressed how much easier the tank valves work. Didn’t put any in our batteries, but did coat all metal parts and connections.B.W.Gentry
Owner/Admin
2007 Carri-Lite XTRM5
Breckenridge, TX
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.