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Topic: Cleaning Battery Terminals (Read 537 times) previous topic - next topic

Cleaning Battery Terminals

On today's list is cleaning the battery terminals on the engine start batteries. In preparation I've read in previous posts to make sure boost switch is off and inverter is off. Since we have solar charging the batteries should this also be dis connected, and if so, is there a sequence for disconnecting solar. We have two breakers, one from panels to charge controller and one from controller to house batteries?

Any sequence or issues once battery terminals are cleaned and reconnected?

Thanks
Randy (N4TDT) and Karen Crete
Sarasota, Florida
SOLD:  2000 U270 34' WTFE Build 5756 "Ole Red"

Re: Cleaning Battery Terminals

Reply #1 –
Battery:  Remove negative cable first, then remove positive.  When reconnecting, attach positive cable first, then negative.

On the solar, I would probably cut off solar output at the first breaker in the circuit.  I. E. between panels and controller, unless this would somehow mess up the programing in your controller?  But it probably isn't critical which breaker you use - you just don't want any solar panel output getting to the battery banks while you are working on them.

1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Cleaning Battery Terminals

Reply #2 –
Randy,

We have breakers on both sides of the controller. Starting up, I flip the battery side on and then the roof panels. Shutting down, it's just the opposite, I shut the panels down first, then the breaker to battery last. The Midnite controller has arc protection but I like doing it this way when I shut down. Starting up, the controller goes through a boot so also probably not important. Anyway, the factory recommended this way.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Cleaning Battery Terminals

Reply #3 –
Thanks to Chuck and Pierce. Although many of my "tech" posts probably seem simple, I appreciate the quick responses I get one posting. Perhaps others, inexperienced like I am, will benefit from these answers.

Easy job, now complete.    Before and after pics attached. Amazing that these red tops from November 2012 are still cranking strong.
Randy (N4TDT) and Karen Crete
Sarasota, Florida
SOLD:  2000 U270 34' WTFE Build 5756 "Ole Red"
 

Re: Cleaning Battery Terminals

Reply #4 –
I had a problem starting after turning the ignition off the next time I tried to start. It was the cable clamp that appeared to be tight on the battery post but in reality was cracked. And was in a hard spot to see even after cleaning the terminals. I went with military grade post connector and new cables and have not had a problem since.
John
1998 U270 34'