New battery and terminal clamps. Shall I grease?

[blueST]

Just fitted a brand new battery and sparkly new terminal clamps. Should I Grease? If "yes", what with. Proper terminal grease, Vaseline or something else? I noticed my tub of copper grease says it can be used for battery terminals.

[Doctor Volt]

Vaseline

Happy New Year. Doctor Volt

[TheExcession]

Doctor Volt said:

Vaseline

Happy New Year. Doctor Volt

I'm curious why not copper slip? I understand that copper slip conducts and so could cause a short if not carefully applied but in the past I've always used if for battery terminals and lots more.

As an anecdote, I worked on a farm back in '95 and I rewired every piece of (st) machinery they had (a Massey 1200 being my favourite).

I used copper slip everywhere, my reasoning being bad earths are the killer on most farm machinery.

15 years later I was visiting and went to look at all the old dears still in use, copper slip was still visible on the connections to the starter motors and alternator feeds.

The stuff is brilliant.

[Peter Nutkins]

A conducting grease is not necessary as the pressure applied by the clamps breaks down the grease film, the grease is to prevent air getting to the surfaces to prevent corrosion.

Peter