Batteries gone wild

[Khill]

This might be an engineering topic?

So, my 04 TB i got last november is having battery issues. When i bought it, it still had the original AC Delco battery in it, which died last month. When it died, I called AAA and they came right out and put one of their batteries in (model 78-36N) and off I went. Two weeks later, I open the hood to add some WS fluid and I notice the acrid smell of acid. Sure enough, the battery was leaking from the terminals. The battery tray had accumulated a puddle of acid, but no real damage had been done. Called AAA, they came out and replaced the battery. Goin fine for a while until today, I smelled something funny while driving, kinda like sour candy, coming through the vents. I come home and open the hood and it looks like it snowed on everything under my battery and the smell of acid is very noticeable. The battery had leaked profusely from everywhere (sealed lid, vent caps, terminals, etc) and all the metal all the way down to the frame is corroded. Now I'm not exactly sure what all the pipes and tubes are under the battery, but I'm sure the acid cant be good for it. The battery has worked fine, but I can't have acid leaking all over my engine.


A few questions:
Is something goin on with the car to overwork the batteries? I have a 1000w inverter in it, on only while driving, added two weeks ago, not sure it that contributes. Or is AAA just giving me bad batteries.

Will the acid cause permanent damage? to the metal pipes? to the rubber?

Going to clean it out with baking soda and water, any suggestions on other things to do to the affected parts? I have heard they are more prone to corrosion once it has happened.


At this point I am getting a refund from AAA and installing a new battery. Will be going for a DieHard today, any suggestions for other brands?


Anything else anyone can add? I'm kinda at this point because I don't know what's going on.

Thanks in advance

[brcidd]

You may be overcharging the batteries- hook a voltmeter to it- and see if it is in the 14 - 14.5 volt range---

I wouldn't buy a Diehard- more problems in my opinion

Get rid of all the corrosion- you can or you will have future problems- you should make AAA clean it up- if your voltage is within spec............

[Khill]

I cleaned up the corrosion with baking soda and water, all of the affected areas are now bare metal, which is worrying...

As for AAA, there is only one person in the local area that can take my complaint and he is "away from his desk", now for 6 hours. Wonder if he will ever be in?

Voltage stays between 13.8 and 14.4 when the engine is on at all times.



Suppose I will just have to wait it out and see.