leaking battery acid

[captncarp]

if a battery leaks in a scanner and leaves corrosion in the battery compartment can it be permanently removed with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar?

 

[mmckenna]

You didn't give us any idea of how much is in there.
If it's a little bit, try using a brush to get it out if it's dry.

Don't add vinegar. It's an acid, you don't want more acid on top of the battery acid. Baking soda will neutralize the battery acid, but might make more of a mess. I usually just clean it out with a brush.

 

[KK2DOG]

I've mixed a little baking soda and water in the past in a dixie cup and used a Q-Tip to apply it. Just make sure you don't use too much and dry it good.

 

[iMONITOR]

What type of batteries?

 

[captncarp]

It was the battery compartment on a RS 668. A alkaline leaked. Dried up when I found it. Got it out except for the springs are showing corrosion. I would like to use a brush and Baking Soda on them. I was told equal parts of soda and vinegar on the springs.

 

[iMONITOR]

Baking soda will neutralize the vinegar. You don't want to get any vinegar inside the radio for sure! Buy some electrical contact cleaner, put it on a Q-tip and wet/dab it on the springs a few times. Maybe gently use a small tooth brush, wipe dry.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

Were they Duracell batteries ? I had a slew of stuff damaged by them when they changed the formulation.

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[robertmac]

I've had a number of batteries leak, Alkaline and NiMH. I generally just use baking soda to neutralize the acid and use whatever I can to ensure I get acid off both ends. This includes toothbrushes [soft]. Qtips, even harder brushes. Then I spray with an Electrical Contact cleaner, not too much and cleaner that will not harm plastic. I use HFE but that is in Canada.

 

[kruser]

Does as said above. Flake away the dried up gunk and you should be fine.
If any of the contacts don't come out clean. Maybe take a tiny jeweler's screwdriver or razor blade and lightly scrape the surface of any contacts still showing corrosion.
This should fix you up and you should not have further issues unless you let another set leak inside the scanner!

 

[iMONITOR]

I found this information from Duracell:

How do I clean up after a battery leak?
Follow these tips to clean up after a battery has leaked: Work in a well-ventilated area. Wear household gloves and glasses. Using a toothbrush or cotton swab, remove battery leakage from the electrical contacts. Make sure the electronic device is completely dry before trying a new battery. To avoid future problems, adopt the following practices:

• Do not mix and match different battery brands in the same device.
• Remove batteries from devices that are being stored.
• To clean any leakage of the following battery types, Alkaline, NiCAD and NiMH batteries, use either one tablespoon of boric acid in one gallon of water or a mixture of equal amounts of diluted vinegar or lemon juice with water (50/50 ratio).

[source]
How do I clean up after a battery leak? - Duracell Batteries | AA, AAA, Rechargeable, Coin Button

 

[bharvey2]

Something to keep in mind guys is that the electrolyte in alkaline batteries isn't acidic. It's "alkaline" as the name implies. neutralization will require something mildly acidic. Diluted vinegar should do but be careful not to get it on any of the components / internals or you'll have more trouble on your hands. I usually use "Q-tips" or Pec pads, (a lint free pad used for photography /camera cleanup among other things.) Follow up with a water rinse and maybe a polishing with 800 grit or finer sandpaper (be sure to clean up any dust or residue) and I'm done.

 

[ab5r]

I'll add this video that I just ran across to the mix:

 

[jeffdafoe]

Vinegar definitely and avoid Duracell. Even with Energizer it's a good idea to do a battery check in any of your $$$ electronics every New Years. I'm involved in the pinball community and it's a huge deal there, due to placement of the AA battery holder directly on an upright circuit board the alkaline leaks down the circuit board and usually causes serious damage.

 

[captncarp]

Well thanks for all the good info. U certainly pointed me in the right direction. I think the one that leaked was a Duracell. I use mostly Eneloops and Enegizer. I don"t recharge in the radio and that one was a surprise.

 

[DJ11DLN]

Another vote to stay away from Duracells, I won't buy them anymore after a ruined remote, a ruined CO detector, and several other instances where they leaked but I caught it in time, albeit just barely.

Plenty of good advice in this thread on clean-up.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

Another vote to stay away from Duracells, I won't buy them anymore after a ruined remote, a ruined CO detector, and several other instances where they leaked but I caught it in time, albeit just barely.

Plenty of good advice in this thread on clean-up.

A few years back Duracell changed the formulation, shipped manufacturing to Asia. I thought I had gotten a counterfeit batch when the leakage started. I am most upset about some furniture damage when I remove batteries from gear for storage and the batteries leaked just sitting for a few months. They ruined their brand for me.


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