-- Old Git wrote . . . Now is a good time to mention that for longer-term storage, batteries should not be stored in an electronic device. If the batteries start to leak the corrosive material can ruin the battery contacts and render the device inoperable.

But if you do have that problem, what's the best way to clean up the corrosion? Penda

-- Penda Zone (PendaZ@excite.com), August 03, 1999

Answers

Battery Death in a device is not as much of a problem as it was 20years ago. However with that said, most of the corrosive things in batteries are Acidic. Baking soda, some times in a water solution can be used to wash the items.

Dry carefully, wait for all water to evaporate, cut away clearly damaged metal. Replace metal parts.

I can remember as a kid some Battery damaged devices that I had to send in for the "free replacement" but this has not been a problem for me since 1980?. It appears that electronics batteries are a little better made than they use to be. But for long term storage, I still take the batteries out and store them seperately.

Hope this helps...

-- helium (heliumavid@yahoo.com), August 03, 1999.

If you do store batteries in a device, put a film of grease or oil on the contacts to prevent this problem.

-- biker (y2kbiker@worldnet.att.net), August 03, 1999.

Biker;

Film or grease on the contacts may not harm the device but it will not stop battery death. When the "package" which holds the electrolite fails, the metal can pops open and the DRY CELL Material (which is acidic) gets out and "ruins" the electronic device. It is a packaging problem not a contact problem. FWIW.

-- helium (heliumavid@yahoo.com), August 03, 1999.

The corrosive things in batteries are NOT necessarily acid. In lead/acid batteries they are, of course. In "Alkaline" batteries they are - guess what. With corrosives, rinse to dilute/wash away. Then to neutralise acids, use baking soda: for alkalis, use vinegar. and rinse. And do it over.

It's not necessarily obvious just what a corrosive substance is. Maybe we should be thinking about a couple of books of litmus paper slips in the first-aid cabinet. Also maybe some multi-colour (or color in some cases) wide-spectrum pH testing paper we could use for assessing soil acidity as well.

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), August 09, 1999.