What is this goop?

[seanmcg]

I just went to add some water to my batteries and I noticed this goop all over one of the terminals. What causes this and should I be concerned?

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[Swan]

that is corrosion from the battery acid . ALL your terminals need to cleaned (remove from post) with baking soda and water 50/50 and rinsed . then coat with a good battery terminal protector .

[yamahaguy97]

Nasty looking stuff huh

[NoleFan4Ever]

Originally Posted by seanmcg

-snip- What causes this and should I be concerned?

And with your terminal ends on your cables being open (no heat shrink or sealtight), it is imperative that you get the open sections thoroughly cleaned as the acid will precipitate out after you clean the terminal ends due to it gets embedded in with the copper strands. And if you happen to have some heat shrink laying around and you are keeping those cables, you could always add it at that time.

[Down South]

I saw this thread eariler but didn't comment. It's corrosion caused from battery acid as we know. I'ts common to happen on our golf carts, lawnmowers, cars, trucks, etc unless we do predictive maintenance to prevent it.
As mentioned. put the cart in tow. Pull the terminals from the posts, clean the terminals and posts well, "Wire brush may be needed" put back together and use something like this to spray liberally on each terminal.
That red terminal may need to be replaced.

[theboss20]

Wire brushing for sure...the tops of your batteries need to be kept clean and dry because they create a path for current flow under the right conditions...😎

[DaveTM]

BTW, when you do this cleaning, I would suggest you do it outside. I do mine in the yard.....in the grass. I may kill some grass.....but it grows back. I don't do it over concrete. Battery terminal corrosion will cause your batteries to lose their power more quickly than if you keep 'em "clean 'n spiffy."