First, I dip a pipe cleaner in alcohol and scrub the
threaded area, also between the post and the threaded area and inside the main hole on top.
Then I soak the whole thread area in rubbing alcohol to loosen up any other debris.
Having done that, I use a staple, (others here use other small sharp
devices) to clean out the airholes on the battery, just below the threads.
After that, I take my needle nosed tweezers and run them around the outside of the post to make sure that it is centered properly. If contact is poor when I test, I use the tweezers to raise and center the post again.
Thats just biweekly maintenance but it might just help. I also had an "evil" auto battery with a tough draw and I found that I had to blow through the LED side 5 or 6 times, then again from the carto side a few times to dislodge what ever flecks found their way in there.
I was thinking about using the inflator pump I use to blow water out of my cleaned cartos to loosen that junk but the problem appears to be solved.
Also, look at the cartos and make sure that the label is not blocking the vents. If they are, a fingernail or some other sharp
device will clear them away.
Sorry. Didn't mean to write a maintenance manual but it might do the trick. Let me know how you make out.
