Can I wash down my batteries?

[Murby]

2013 Precedent with six Trojan 8v batteries.

I'd like to spread some baking soda on the batteries and flush the compartment with soap and water.

There's a tow switch in there, a motor controller, etc. That tow switch is behind a rubber boot which makes me think the components are all protected, but I thought I should ask. Is this stuff all well protected from a garden hose or do I need to be careful or even remove the batteries?

Can I just sprinkle some baking soda in there and rinse it all down with a garden hose?

Thanks,

[Tom47]

I've done it several times and it works well.

But you've got to be VERY, VERY, VERY careful not to get water on any electrical devices, switches, solenoids, mating plugs, wiring bundles, etc.

Don't use full hose pressure, and do not use a spray nozzle. Let the water flow gently and wipe the top of the batteries as you go. Do not let excessive amount of water get around the cell vents on each battery.

Other than that....go for it!

[SBIRD!]

I mix baking soda with water in a plastic cup and pour it on the batteries slow and scrub the cable end with a old toothbrush packed with wet soda. Keep doing it until the reaction stops. Then I rinse with a small watering can with a single spout. Leave it in tow mode until it's mostly dry.

[_ogre]

i have an old 1 gal antifreeze jug that i put 2 cups of baking soda in, the lid has a 1/8" hole in it. i fill it with water and shake it, then squirt water onto the battery tops and the battery brackets. squirt half on, wait a few and squirt the rest on. i don't rinse

[Murby]

My bats aren't all that dirty and my contact posts are nice and clean, but I can tell there's a film on bats and when I touch the caps, I get sulfuric acid on my fingers. I know, use gloves.. But I'd like to keep the area as clean as possible.

Can I assume the plastic tray has some kind of drain channels in it to keep the acidic stuff from contacting the aluminum frame? Sulfuric acid and aluminum don't play well together.

[Fairtax4me]

Everything under there can get wet as long as its not high pressure spray (like power washer spray).
If you can adjust the nozzle setting on your hose use the rain shower setting, or any low pressure spread setting. Rinse the batteries top to bottom and be sure to spray around the sides really well to make sure any water that collects under the bottom of the batteries will be well diluted of any acid.

Don't worry about getting water in the caps, they're made to vent one way and not allow water back in.

[Murby]

Thanks everyone, I get the idea..

Wet fine, pressure and velocity bad.

[PingEye3]

Be careful of where you do this as it will leave rusty stains on concrete. Make sure even the slightest drop of the baking soda solution that splashes on paint is cleaned and rinsed quickly it will eat into the paint if spots are left to dry.