This battery has less than a year and the positive connector looks like this. Is this normal?

Also, what's the best way to clean the connectors?

Thanks in advance.

 

Baking soda and water mix. Brush it on carefully (don't splash), let it sit for a few minutes and then carefully--no spray--rinse it off with the hose.

 

And spray some terminal protectant on it. That'll seal it up and prevent further corrosion, as long as you clean it throughly first.

 

My "terminal protectant" is usually axle grease. I've never had a problem using it and no repeat corrosion.

 

Coca Cola will clean it

 

auto parts stores usually carry battery-terminal brushes which have both "male" and "female" stainless-steel brushes to remove the corrosion on the terminal as well as inside the connector and take them back to shiny metal. Very easy. To slow the recurrence the easiest thing is grease, as mentioned. Vaseline (petroleum jelly) will work just as well. The goal is to keep wet electrolyte from contacting the metal. Also keep in mind that if there was enough free electrolyte to corrode the terminals, then there is probably a coating of electrolyte and dust coating the top of the battery case. This can form a current path between the terminals and cause the battery to drain. So once you've cleaned the terminals, wipe the top of the battery down until it's perfectly clean.

The absolute best way to prevent corrosion is to replace the wet-battery with a maintenance-free one. Preferably an AGM battery. Optima is one brand. This will end your corrosion issues. Since these batteries are available there's really no need to have a box full of sloshing acid inside your engine bay.

 

Thank you all.