Why the battery residue?

[Kistler]

Got my batteries home now, in the garage, charging...set the thing on maintenance....guess everything is OK....did what was advised about the parallel stuff...have used my jumper cables to connect everything . Will get shorter cables tomorrow.

I don't understand why the driver's side battery is so "dirty". The mucker seems to exude nasty white stuff (and it stings) acid I think. What is going on there? What should I do diff? I understand cleaning up with baking soda, but where is this stuff coming from. It has spoiled the looks of my door (driver's side only) of the battery compartment and the fake chrome below it.

[markdoane]

The white stuff is lead sulfate. It comes out the battery vents as sulfuric acid aerosol and reacts with the battery terminals (lead) to form lead sulfate.

[silverback]

Kistler,
If I recall correctly the white stuff is oxidation. Usually caused by a poor (loose) connection. A solution of baking soda will clean it right up. Just what old tooth brushes are good for.
Ken

[Kistler]

Thank you, guys....just wonder why I got "lucky" and have this....didn't touch the batteries at all.

Today, I removed them to bring them home to the garage and put them on a charger...won't be leaving now until March. Did notice especially the driver's side battery had the oxide residue....learned that from you

The connections were tight. It really doesn't matter but I am trying to preserve the Airstream for a while.