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Battery Acid Tray

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Old Feb 27, 2009 | 02:19 AM
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Default Battery Acid Tray

I see lots of posts about leaking batteries dropping acid on the frame and PCM below. Is there any reason why I could not build a solid tray to go underneath the entire battery to minimize this type of incident?
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Old Feb 27, 2009 | 05:23 AM
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No reason I could see. That said, an absorbent mat would achieve the same result and is way easier to fit.
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Old Feb 27, 2009 | 08:46 AM
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Originally Posted by DeeGee
That said, an absorbent mat would achieve the same result and is way easier to fit.

It's a 10 minute job to fit a mat, and the cost is usually under $5.00 for
one.
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Old Feb 27, 2009 | 09:23 AM
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Originally Posted by Quicksilver Vert 01

It's a 10 minute job to fit a mat, and the cost is usually under $5.00 for
one.
Having said that, right after I got my C5 3 years ago, I purchased and tried to install one of those mats, and I could not get the battery hold down, back under the lip in the battery, and make it work The battery I had was an AC Delco, but was not the OEM, as the previous owner had just replaced the original battery.

Many forum members say, that the new batterys being sold today, are built differently, and no longer have the weak side post/terminal problem, so the leaking battery issue is more history, than current threat to C5s. Having said that, lots of us would rather be safe than sorry, so we may be extra cautious
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Old Feb 27, 2009 | 11:51 AM
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I have the mat installed now, just not sure how effective it would be with a serious leak?
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Old Feb 27, 2009 | 12:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Choreo
I have the mat installed now, just not sure how effective it would be with a serious leak?


That's why frequent checks around the battery compartment are important too.

You can usually spot trouble before it becomes serious, and the mat provides enough added protection for a minor leak.
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Old Feb 28, 2009 | 01:06 PM
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I have found that the acid has followed the battery cables and caused severe problems. I would not trust any side post battery other than a " Optima " or other gel battery. Understand that the "newer ", top post batteries are a different breed and offer no problems like the earlier 97 - 2001.
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Old Feb 28, 2009 | 01:11 PM
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Originally Posted by The Big Guy
I have found that the acid has followed the battery cables and caused severe problems. I would not trust any side post battery other than a " Optima " or other gel battery. Understand that the "newer ", top post batteries are a different breed and offer no problems like the earlier 97 - 2001.
Optima is not a "gel battery".
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Old Feb 28, 2009 | 02:44 PM
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Originally Posted by LoneStarFRC
Optima is not a "gel battery".
Yep ... even an Optima can leak !!

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...a-red-top.html
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