Battery corrosion

[coshoo]

Does anybody have an easy way to dissolve the corrosion from small batteries in tools, etc.? I have a small laser level that I'd like to save, if possible- AAA batteries leaked.

 

[Russ from MN]

Soda water and a Q-tip, then keep the contacts oiled or greased.

 

[Wheres Waldo]

Q-Tip and vinegar. Followed with a Q-Tip and water to neutralize the vinegar.

 

[Pete in MD]

I think you want to use a Base like baking soda not an acid like vinegar.

 

[Michael Soldan]

Yes , neutralize the battery acid ! After cleaning up something like that I use an electrical contact spray which also cleans up and terminal and keeps it from corroding !

 

[Steve@Advance]

It's really hard to recover from that. Once batteries have leaked the contacts never seem to be the same.

If it won't clean up, there are a couple of options.

Being it is a tool, instead of a flash light or toy, you might be able to open it up and replace the battery holder if the mfg offers parts.

Another thing I have done, you can buy battery holders on Ebay in various configurations, battery sizes, and number of batteries. If there is room it can be installed intact, or cut it apart and get the components out. They are cheap, worth a try.

And there is also the option of direct soldering the batteries together, tape them in a bundle, solder them directly to the circuit board.

 

[Wheres Waldo]

Not acid, fellas. It's in the name of some of them --Alkaline. Vinegar melts the corrosion but then that does need neutralized. Water works fine--no foamy reaction.

 

[RVS]

Use muriatic acid on q-tip to clean the corrosion and then clean with distilled water and then apply dielectric grease

 

[Motorcraftman]

Ordinary 91% Rubbing Alcohol works really Well too... And No residue Larry

 

[BillinCentralMO]

Yes. Baking soda. Can chip hard stuff off with small screw driver

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

They call them ALKALINE batteries for a reason.

Acids and alkalines 101: Acids neutralize alkalines, and vice versa.

Baking soda is an alkaline. It will do nothing to neutralize the corrosive alkaline residue from the leaked battery. The only possible reason for using it is its mildly abrasive nature if mixed in a paste, but then anything else that's mildly abrasive will work too, such as toothpaste.