C2 Battery

[John Lokay]

Last year I installed a new AC Delco battery in my '66. Last night I noticed a greyish colored chalk like build-up on the top outside edges of the battery under the rectangular shaped battery hold down mechanism. There is no build-up on either of the battery posts. Is this the result of the battery being overcharged by the voltage regulator? Thanks

[Jack H.]

Re: C2 Battery

If the battery is a tar top (or of other construction without sealed cells), you may simply be seeing dried acid salt that's the product of normal charging with some out-gassing though the battery cap holes. If you mix some baking soda with water, brush it on top of the battery and you get a foaming/bubbling reaction (acid mixing with base and neutralizing), that's reasonable proof....