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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Cleaning Battery Leak Damage
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Showing posts 1 - 17 of 17, (reverse)
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07/28/2021 03:32:49 PM · #1
The batteries leaked inside my Canon 270EX speedlight. It's old and cheap but I'd still like to save it if possible.

Is this method safe?
07/28/2021 04:03:39 PM · #2
Can't watch video at the moment, but I've used lemon juice with some success.
07/28/2021 04:07:20 PM · #3
Originally posted by glad2badad:

Can't watch video at the moment, but I've used lemon juice with some success.


The video uses vinegar. If lemon juice works, I guess vinegar will too, and it's less sticky.

I saw another video using Coca Cola. I'd be scared to try that.
07/28/2021 04:11:41 PM · #4
Originally posted by GinaRothfels:

Originally posted by glad2badad:

Can't watch video at the moment, but I've used lemon juice with some success.


The video uses vinegar. If lemon juice works, I guess vinegar will too, and it's less sticky.

I saw another video using Coca Cola. I'd be scared to try that.

Sounds like they just want an acidic solution. Cola would work but probably leave a sugary residue, however it's supposed to be great for cleaning oil-stained driveways ... :-)

Let us know if it works -- I have a similar situation myself.
07/28/2021 04:26:31 PM · #5
Originally posted by GeneralE:

Cola would work but probably leave a sugary residue, however it's supposed to be great for cleaning oil-stained driveways ... :-)

Let us know if it works -- I have a similar situation myself.


I'd try cola on something that can be washed afterwards, but not on a flash.

If nobody suggests anything else, I'll try vinegar tomorrow and see what happens. I often use vinegar for cleaning, but didn't think of it for my flash.

I'll let you know what happens.
07/28/2021 05:41:51 PM · #6
vinegar is a good cleaning option. I'd be comfortable trying that.

Dry scrape as much as you can first, before trying the liquid.

Message edited by author 2021-07-28 17:42:09.
08/03/2021 07:44:38 AM · #7
Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by GinaRothfels:

Originally posted by glad2badad:

Can't watch video at the moment, but I've used lemon juice with some success.


The video uses vinegar. If lemon juice works, I guess vinegar will too, and it's less sticky.

I saw another video using Coca Cola. I'd be scared to try that.

Sounds like they just want an acidic solution. Cola would work but probably leave a sugary residue, however it's supposed to be great for cleaning oil-stained driveways ... :-)

Let us know if it works -- I have a similar situation myself.


Sorry for the slow response. I only found time to clean my flash this morning and the good news is it's working.
08/03/2021 09:29:09 AM · #8
Great news... one thing to note: the corrosion almost definitely took all the plating off the copper-based terminals. They will now tend to oxidize, and you may have occasional problems with batteries not making contact. A little abrasion on the contact surface should remove the oxide if this occurs.
08/03/2021 11:39:54 AM · #9
Good news! What kind of brush or other utensil did you use?
08/03/2021 12:08:08 PM · #10
Originally posted by kirbic:

Great news... one thing to note: the corrosion almost definitely took all the plating off the copper-based terminals. They will now tend to oxidize, and you may have occasional problems with batteries not making contact. A little abrasion on the contact surface should remove the oxide if this occurs.


Thanks.

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Good news! What kind of brush or other utensil did you use?


Where there was enough space to reach I used an old toothbrush. For the rest I used a cotton bud (apparently known as a Q-tip in other countries).
08/03/2021 12:56:33 PM · #11
Thanks ... "Q-tip" is the most common brand of cotton swab (our generic term) in the USA ...
08/03/2021 01:37:10 PM · #12
I've saved several pieces of equipment over the years with lemon juice, a piece of paper towel, and a unfolded paper clip. The lemon juice does a pretty good job without a lot of pressure. I'm a bit smarter now and try to remember to remove batteries from items that are infrequently used (i.e. GPS handheld unit, Walkie-Talkies, etc.).
08/03/2021 01:52:31 PM · #13
A few years ago we bought a couple of small headlamps to use during our frequent load shedding (planned power cuts) and the batteries leaked in one of those too. As it was a cheap item I simply replaced it at the time, but I still have the damaged one, so I tried vinegar on that too. No luck (so far). Perhaps it only works if the damage is caught early. Or maybe I need to try harder.

Originally posted by glad2badad:

I'm a bit smarter now and try to remember to remove batteries from items that are infrequently used (i.e. GPS handheld unit, Walkie-Talkies, etc.).


I hope I'm a bit smarter now too. The first thing I did was remove the batteries from my ring flash. Better safe than sorry.
08/04/2021 09:59:25 PM · #14
If the plating is gone you can coat the contacts with a lithium grease (white grease). It will prevent further corrosion but still allows the battery to contact and provide power. It's also really good for car door springs that squeak. I use it on my car batteries to prevent the corrosive build up. (Electronics technician for 40+ years)
08/05/2021 08:38:04 AM · #15
+1 on the lithium grease suggestion, it works.
08/05/2021 08:42:59 AM · #16
Good to know if I ever need it, but that headlamp isn't worth the bother as I replaced it a long time ago. I was just curious to see if I could get it to work without any expense.
08/05/2021 12:21:54 PM · #17
I just remembered that we've got this oil at home: Q10 Penetrating Oil, but it doesn't say what it's made of so I'm not sure whether it's safe to experiment with.
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