Hi Everyone,
I am asking for advice to help me get rid of AA battery acid that leaked into my infrared cam battery compartment. I left the batteries in for approximately 14 months while storing it.
Someone told me to use a q tip dipped in vinegar. Do any one of you have any other suggestions other than taking it to a shop to be fixed? Thanks in advance.
ICUQTPIE
I've had that happen with alkalines in the past.
I kept using dry Q-tips until all loose material is removed.
Then a lightly alcohol soaked Q-tip to clean the remainder, including springs and contacts.
I might consider using a baking soda solution on a Q-tip to clean any remaining acidic battery fluids.
If it is indeed battery acid that leaked I surely wouldn't add more acid (acetic) to the problem, I'd clean it with a base.
The battery chemistry is alkaline and thus acid would help remove it. And so vinegar works well.
ICUQTPIE wrote:
Hi Everyone,
I am asking for advice to help me get rid of AA battery acid that leaked into my infrared cam battery compartment. I left the batteries in for approximately 14 months while storing it.
Someone told me to use a q tip dipped in vinegar. Do any one of you have any other suggestions other than taking it to a shop to be fixed? Thanks in advance.
ICUQTPIE
Vinegar moistened Q-tips, followed by 91% isopropyl alcohol wipes is usually enough. Don’t use abrasive tools.
You did said about baking soda. Baking soda is alkaline so it wouldn't work in this case. It would work for a car battery which has acid as its chemistry.
Alcohol on a pencil eraser will do the job.
ICUQTPIE wrote:
Hi Everyone,
I am asking for advice to help me get rid of AA battery acid that leaked into my infrared cam battery compartment. I left the batteries in for approximately 14 months while storing it.
Someone told me to use a q tip dipped in vinegar. Do any one of you have any other suggestions other than taking it to a shop to be fixed? Thanks in advance.
ICUQTPIE
I've had pretty good luck using WD-40 to clean up deposits from both NiCad and alkaline cells. Be aware that since this may have happened a while ago, it is possible that metal battery contacts or wiring may have been corroded away. Clean gently and carefully.
The material you are trying to remove is a chemical salt, so a mild solvent is what you are looking for. Lighter fluid, which is mostly naptha, can also work.
It's too late for this instance but, I make it a practice to take batteries out of any device I probably won't use for awhile. I found some 3X5" zip bags that work perfectly for AAA & AA batteries. My motion/lightning detector & wireless remote both run on AAA batteries. The same set has been in use for almost 3 years with no problem.
Thank you all for these great replies. ICUQTPIe
AndyH
Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire
burkphoto wrote:
Vinegar moistened Q-tips, followed by 91% isopropyl alcohol wipes is usually enough. Don’t use abrasive tools.
Yep. That combo has solved almost all of my battery corrosion problems since the 1960s.
Andy
W9OD wrote:
Alcohol on a pencil eraser will do the job.
Erasers will remove thin gold plating! Do not use on gold-plated connectors.
Vinegar almost instantly dissolves alkaline battery electrolytes with no need for abrasion. Follow with alcohol to remove finger oils and vinegar residues.
Thank you so much. Appreciate.
Even the best selling alkaline batteries, that include Duracell, will leak on you. Even in the packages they are stored in.
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