How or What Neutralizes Alkaline Cell Juice?

[Watson A.Name \"Watt Sun]

One cell leaked some juice inside my Mini MagLight, and I cleaned the
threads and spring off and scraped all the residue I could off the
endcap. But it still makes poor contact, even after I cleaned it again.

I googled for "remove corrosion caused by alkaline battery" and it came
back with hits for removing corrosion from lead-acid storage batteries,
but nothing for alkalines. The lead-acid batteries are neutralized by
an alkali such as baking soda, but since an alkaline cell is already
alkaline, I don't imagine that using baking soda would help. And I'd
say this mainly applies to removing corrosion from aluminum and steel
springs.

Does anyone have an authoratative source of info about this, because I'd
rather not use something that could make the corrosion even worse.
Using "Cola" or similar remedies is not what I'd call a valid method.
Thanks.

 

[Eric R Snow]

On Mon, 28 Jun 2004 08:06:56 -0700, "Watson A.Name \"Watt Sun - the
Dark Remover\"" <NOSPAM@dslextreme.com> wrote:

One cell leaked some juice inside my Mini MagLight, and I cleaned the
threads and spring off and scraped all the residue I could off the
endcap. But it still makes poor contact, even after I cleaned it again.

I googled for "remove corrosion caused by alkaline battery" and it came
back with hits for removing corrosion from lead-acid storage batteries,
but nothing for alkalines. The lead-acid batteries are neutralized by
an alkali such as baking soda, but since an alkaline cell is already
alkaline, I don't imagine that using baking soda would help. And I'd
say this mainly applies to removing corrosion from aluminum and steel
springs.

Does anyone have an authoratative source of info about this, because I'd
rather not use something that could make the corrosion even worse.
Using "Cola" or similar remedies is not what I'd call a valid method.
Thanks.
Vinegar will work. Just rinse real well after. And then you may still

need to physically abrade the contact surfaces. The oxide formed on
aluminum is a good insulator and is quite tough. It won't just wipe
off with water.
ERS

 

[Chuck Harris]

Baking soda is a buffer, so it works on strong acids and on strong
bases. It is slightly basic in its normal state.

However, what I would use is distilled vinegar. The stuff evaporates
without any residue (distilled, doncha know ;-) Don't leave it in
contact very long, as it will eat up the aluminum.

After you neutralize any goop, rinse well first in tap water, and
lastly in distilled water. Use WD40 for its intended purpose, and
let it displace the remaining water.

Then, you will have to lightly rough up any of the aluminum that was
meant to act as a contact. Aluminum oxide (anodize) is a very good
insulator.

-Chuck

Watson A.Name "Watt Sun - the Dark Remover" wrote:

One cell leaked some juice inside my Mini MagLight, and I cleaned the
threads and spring off and scraped all the residue I could off the
endcap. But it still makes poor contact, even after I cleaned it again.

I googled for "remove corrosion caused by alkaline battery" and it came
back with hits for removing corrosion from lead-acid storage batteries,
but nothing for alkalines. The lead-acid batteries are neutralized by
an alkali such as baking soda, but since an alkaline cell is already
alkaline, I don't imagine that using baking soda would help. And I'd
say this mainly applies to removing corrosion from aluminum and steel
springs.

Does anyone have an authoratative source of info about this, because I'd
rather not use something that could make the corrosion even worse. Using
"Cola" or similar remedies is not what I'd call a valid method. Thanks.

 

[John Miller]

Watson A.Name "Watt Sun - the Dark Remover" wrote:

Does anyone have an authoratative source of info about this, because I'd
rather not use something that could make the corrosion even worse.
Using "Cola" or similar remedies is not what I'd call a valid method.

Agreed, but since you've raised the issue, it's a good opportunity to point
out that most generic cola drinks do not contain phosphoric acid, which is
the active ingredient involved in most of those cola "home remedies" (rusty
bolt loosener, drain un-clogger, etc.) Coca-Cola does. Get the real
thing! But drink the Coke, and use actual penetrating oil, Naval Jelly,
Drain-O, as appropriate.

OBTW, phosphoric acid is the stuff that soda jerks kept in a small glass
shaker bottle, for making lime or cherry phosphates, etc. (Sure, I realize
that 99% of you have NO idea what a cherry phosphate is.

--
John Miller
Email address: domain, n4vu.com; username, jsm

divide-by-zero error

 

[mike]

Watson A.Name \"Watt Sun - the Dark Remover\" wrote:

One cell leaked some juice inside my Mini MagLight, and I cleaned the
threads and spring off and scraped all the residue I could off the
endcap. But it still makes poor contact, even after I cleaned it again.

I googled for "remove corrosion caused by alkaline battery" and it came
back with hits for removing corrosion from lead-acid storage batteries,
but nothing for alkalines. The lead-acid batteries are neutralized by
an alkali such as baking soda, but since an alkaline cell is already
alkaline, I don't imagine that using baking soda would help. And I'd
say this mainly applies to removing corrosion from aluminum and steel
springs.

Does anyone have an authoratative source of info about this, because I'd
rather not use something that could make the corrosion even worse. Using
"Cola" or similar remedies is not what I'd call a valid method. Thanks.

This here Eveready battery box sez,
"We guarantee that we will repair or replace, at our option, any device
damaged by these Eveready batteries....." Other vendors may have
simililar policies.
mike

--
Return address is VALID.
Bunch of stuff For Sale and Wanted at the link below.
Toshiba & Compaq LiIon Batteries, Test Equipment
Yaesu FTV901R Transverter, 30pS pulser
Tektronix Concept Books, spot welding head...
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Monitor/4710/

 

[Watson A.Name \"Watt Sun]

Eric R Snow wrote:

On Mon, 28 Jun 2004 08:06:56 -0700, "Watson A.Name \"Watt Sun - the
Dark Remover\"" <NOSPAM@dslextreme.com> wrote:


One cell leaked some juice inside my Mini MagLight, and I cleaned the
threads and spring off and scraped all the residue I could off the
endcap. But it still makes poor contact, even after I cleaned it again.

I googled for "remove corrosion caused by alkaline battery" and it came
back with hits for removing corrosion from lead-acid storage batteries,
but nothing for alkalines. The lead-acid batteries are neutralized by
an alkali such as baking soda, but since an alkaline cell is already
alkaline, I don't imagine that using baking soda would help. And I'd
say this mainly applies to removing corrosion from aluminum and steel
springs.

Does anyone have an authoratative source of info about this, because I'd
rather not use something that could make the corrosion even worse.
Using "Cola" or similar remedies is not what I'd call a valid method.
Thanks.

Vinegar will work. Just rinse real well after. And then you may still
need to physically abrade the contact surfaces. The oxide formed on
aluminum is a good insulator and is quite tough. It won't just wipe
off with water.
ERS

Thanks, but, well, er... The oxide formed on aluminum is there as soon
as the aluminum is exposed to oxygen (20% of the air), and if you remove
it, a new oxide layer immediately forms to replace it. So I can't see
where "cleaning off" the oxide will help. It's the corrosion that I'm
concerned about.

 

[Watson A.Name \"Watt Sun]

Chuck Harris wrote:

Baking soda is a buffer, so it works on strong acids and on strong
bases. It is slightly basic in its normal state.

However, what I would use is distilled vinegar. The stuff evaporates
without any residue (distilled, doncha know ;-) Don't leave it in
contact very long, as it will eat up the aluminum.

After you neutralize any goop, rinse well first in tap water, and
lastly in distilled water. Use WD40 for its intended purpose, and
let it displace the remaining water.

Then, you will have to lightly rough up any of the aluminum that was
meant to act as a contact. Aluminum oxide (anodize) is a very good
insulator.

Thanks. See my previous followup regarding aluminum oxide.

-Chuck

Watson A.Name "Watt Sun - the Dark Remover" wrote:


One cell leaked some juice inside my Mini MagLight, and I cleaned the
threads and spring off and scraped all the residue I could off the
endcap. But it still makes poor contact, even after I cleaned it again.

I googled for "remove corrosion caused by alkaline battery" and it
came back with hits for removing corrosion from lead-acid storage
batteries, but nothing for alkalines. The lead-acid batteries are
neutralized by an alkali such as baking soda, but since an alkaline
cell is already alkaline, I don't imagine that using baking soda would
help. And I'd say this mainly applies to removing corrosion from
aluminum and steel springs.

Does anyone have an authoratative source of info about this, because
I'd rather not use something that could make the corrosion even worse.
Using "Cola" or similar remedies is not what I'd call a valid method.
Thanks.

 

[Watson A.Name \"Watt Sun]

mike wrote:

Watson A.Name \"Watt Sun - the Dark Remover\" wrote:

One cell leaked some juice inside my Mini MagLight, and I cleaned the
threads and spring off and scraped all the residue I could off the
endcap. But it still makes poor contact, even after I cleaned it again.

I googled for "remove corrosion caused by alkaline battery" and it
came back with hits for removing corrosion from lead-acid storage
batteries, but nothing for alkalines. The lead-acid batteries are
neutralized by an alkali such as baking soda, but since an alkaline
cell is already alkaline, I don't imagine that using baking soda would
help. And I'd say this mainly applies to removing corrosion from
aluminum and steel springs.

Does anyone have an authoratative source of info about this, because
I'd rather not use something that could make the corrosion even worse.
Using "Cola" or similar remedies is not what I'd call a valid method.
Thanks.

This here Eveready battery box sez,
"We guarantee that we will repair or replace, at our option, any device
damaged by these Eveready batteries....." Other vendors may have
simililar policies.
mike

Thanks. Radio Shaft Enercells, AKA piece of junk. I don't think they
have that guarantee. They say, "..return with receipt within 30 days
for a one time refund.." Like, I can do that? No...

 

[Tom MacIntyre]

On Mon, 28 Jun 2004 13:00:02 -0700, "Watson A.Name \"Watt Sun - the
Dark Remover\"" <NOSPAM@dslextreme.com> wrote:

mike wrote:

Watson A.Name \"Watt Sun - the Dark Remover\" wrote:


One cell leaked some juice inside my Mini MagLight, and I cleaned the
threads and spring off and scraped all the residue I could off the
endcap. But it still makes poor contact, even after I cleaned it again.

I googled for "remove corrosion caused by alkaline battery" and it
came back with hits for removing corrosion from lead-acid storage
batteries, but nothing for alkalines. The lead-acid batteries are
neutralized by an alkali such as baking soda, but since an alkaline
cell is already alkaline, I don't imagine that using baking soda would
help. And I'd say this mainly applies to removing corrosion from
aluminum and steel springs.

Does anyone have an authoratative source of info about this, because
I'd rather not use something that could make the corrosion even worse.
Using "Cola" or similar remedies is not what I'd call a valid method.
Thanks.


This here Eveready battery box sez,
"We guarantee that we will repair or replace, at our option, any device
damaged by these Eveready batteries....." Other vendors may have
simililar policies.
mike

Thanks. Radio Shaft Enercells, AKA piece of junk. I don't think they
have that guarantee. They say, "..return with receipt within 30 days
for a one time refund.." Like, I can do that? No...

Interesting. 20+ years ago, Radio Shack batteries were rated as the
best by Consumer Reports magazine.

Tom

 

[Chuck Harris]

Watson A.Name "Watt Sun - the Dark Remover" wrote:

Then, you will have to lightly rough up any of the aluminum that was
meant to act as a contact. Aluminum oxide (anodize) is a very good
insulator.


Thanks. See my previous followup regarding aluminum oxide.

Watson, the Maglite flashlites have a couple of areas where the
aluminum oxide has been machined off, and a touch of silicon grease
has been applied so that they will make good electrical contact.
For example, the battery endcap.

-Chuck

 

[Jim Yanik]

"Watson A.Name \"Watt Sun - the Dark Remover\"" <NOSPAM@dslextreme.com>
wrote in news:cbpc2i$7jot7$1@hades.csu.net:

One cell leaked some juice inside my Mini MagLight, and I cleaned the
threads and spring off and scraped all the residue I could off the
endcap. But it still makes poor contact, even after I cleaned it again.

I googled for "remove corrosion caused by alkaline battery" and it came
back with hits for removing corrosion from lead-acid storage batteries,
but nothing for alkalines. The lead-acid batteries are neutralized by
an alkali such as baking soda, but since an alkaline cell is already
alkaline, I don't imagine that using baking soda would help. And I'd
say this mainly applies to removing corrosion from aluminum and steel
springs.

Does anyone have an authoratative source of info about this, because I'd
rather not use something that could make the corrosion even worse.
Using "Cola" or similar remedies is not what I'd call a valid method.
Thanks.

Ordinary household white vinegar.(you use an acid to neutralize alkalines).
Then rinse well,and dry.

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik-at-kua.net

 

[Ban]

Watson A.Name "Watt Sun - the Dark Remover" wrote:

Thanks. Radio Shaft Enercells, AKA piece of junk. I don't think they
have that guarantee. They say, "..return with receipt within 30 days
for a one time refund.." Like, I can do that? No...

Did you what I did and try to recharge normal alcalines? Yes, also mine
leaked and fu**ed two of my maglites. The layer on the inside was so thick,
that the batteries would stick inside. and the switch would work only if you
bumped it first.
I bought some new 2200mAh AA-Nimh and now it doesn't happen any more.
--
ciao Ban
Bordighera, Italy

 

[Eric R Snow]

On Mon, 28 Jun 2004 12:53:14 -0700, "Watson A.Name \"Watt Sun - the
Dark Remover\"" <NOSPAM@dslextreme.com> wrote:

Eric R Snow wrote:
On Mon, 28 Jun 2004 08:06:56 -0700, "Watson A.Name \"Watt Sun - the
Dark Remover\"" <NOSPAM@dslextreme.com> wrote:


One cell leaked some juice inside my Mini MagLight, and I cleaned the
threads and spring off and scraped all the residue I could off the
endcap. But it still makes poor contact, even after I cleaned it again.

I googled for "remove corrosion caused by alkaline battery" and it came
back with hits for removing corrosion from lead-acid storage batteries,
but nothing for alkalines. The lead-acid batteries are neutralized by
an alkali such as baking soda, but since an alkaline cell is already
alkaline, I don't imagine that using baking soda would help. And I'd
say this mainly applies to removing corrosion from aluminum and steel
springs.

Does anyone have an authoratative source of info about this, because I'd
rather not use something that could make the corrosion even worse.
Using "Cola" or similar remedies is not what I'd call a valid method.
Thanks.

Vinegar will work. Just rinse real well after. And then you may still
need to physically abrade the contact surfaces. The oxide formed on
aluminum is a good insulator and is quite tough. It won't just wipe
off with water.
ERS

Thanks, but, well, er... The oxide formed on aluminum is there as soon
as the aluminum is exposed to oxygen (20% of the air), and if you remove
it, a new oxide layer immediately forms to replace it. So I can't see
where "cleaning off" the oxide will help. It's the corrosion that I'm
concerned about.
That coating is quite thin and will not prevent electricity from

flowing. However, coatings from chemical or electrochemical means make
very good insulators. When doing home anodizing you can check if it is
working by checking the resistance of the part being anodized.
However, I'm sure you are just nit-picking and know very well that
there are different types of oxide coatings formed on aluminum.
ERS

 

mike <spamme0@juno.com> wrote:

This here Eveready battery box sez,
"We guarantee that we will repair or replace, at our option, any device
damaged by these Eveready batteries....." Other vendors may have
simililar policies.

I returned an FRS radio to Duracell with leaking batteries, and they
sent it right back to me with a "don't reverse one of the batteries,
we don't cover that" note. 8*| Expensive lesson...

--
William Smith
ComputerSmiths Consulting, Inc. www.compusmiths.com

 

[Rich.Andrews]

Tom MacIntyre <tom__macintyre@hotmail.com> wrote in
news:gu21e0lr7k4mrr86d0mmhjs80c149r5git@4ax.com:

On Mon, 28 Jun 2004 13:00:02 -0700, "Watson A.Name \"Watt Sun - the
Dark Remover\"" <NOSPAM@dslextreme.com> wrote:

mike wrote:

Watson A.Name \"Watt Sun - the Dark Remover\" wrote:


One cell leaked some juice inside my Mini MagLight, and I cleaned the
threads and spring off and scraped all the residue I could off the
endcap. But it still makes poor contact, even after I cleaned it
again.

I googled for "remove corrosion caused by alkaline battery" and it
came back with hits for removing corrosion from lead-acid storage
batteries, but nothing for alkalines. The lead-acid batteries are
neutralized by an alkali such as baking soda, but since an alkaline
cell is already alkaline, I don't imagine that using baking soda
would
help. And I'd say this mainly applies to removing corrosion from
aluminum and steel springs.

Does anyone have an authoratative source of info about this, because
I'd rather not use something that could make the corrosion even
worse.
Using "Cola" or similar remedies is not what I'd call a valid method.
Thanks.


This here Eveready battery box sez,
"We guarantee that we will repair or replace, at our option, any
device
damaged by these Eveready batteries....." Other vendors may have
simililar policies.
mike

Thanks. Radio Shaft Enercells, AKA piece of junk. I don't think they
have that guarantee. They say, "..return with receipt within 30 days
for a one time refund.." Like, I can do that? No...

Interesting. 20+ years ago, Radio Shack batteries were rated as the
best by Consumer Reports magazine.

Tom

It is for idiotic reviews like that that I have complete disdain for CR.
Those people wouldn't know a quality item if their lives depended on it.

r


--
Nothing beats the bandwidth of a station wagon filled with DLT tapes.

 

[Watson A.Name \"Watt Sun]

Tom MacIntyre wrote:

On Mon, 28 Jun 2004 13:00:02 -0700, "Watson A.Name \"Watt Sun - the
Dark Remover\"" <NOSPAM@dslextreme.com> wrote:

mike wrote:

Watson A.Name \"Watt Sun - the Dark Remover\" wrote:

One cell leaked some juice inside my Mini MagLight, and I cleaned the
threads and spring off and scraped all the residue I could off the
endcap. But it still makes poor contact, even after I cleaned it again.
I googled for "remove corrosion caused by alkaline battery" and it
came back with hits for removing corrosion from lead-acid storage
batteries, but nothing for alkalines. The lead-acid batteries are
neutralized by an alkali such as baking soda, but since an alkaline
cell is already alkaline, I don't imagine that using baking soda would
help. And I'd say this mainly applies to removing corrosion from
aluminum and steel springs.

Does anyone have an authoratative source of info about this, because
I'd rather not use something that could make the corrosion even worse.
Using "Cola" or similar remedies is not what I'd call a valid method.
Thanks.

This here Eveready battery box sez,
"We guarantee that we will repair or replace, at our option, any device
damaged by these Eveready batteries....." Other vendors may have
simililar policies.
mike

Thanks. Radio Shaft Enercells, AKA piece of junk. I don't think they
have that guarantee. They say, "..return with receipt within 30 days
for a one time refund.." Like, I can do that? No...

Interesting. 20+ years ago, Radio Shack batteries were rated as the
best by Consumer Reports magazine.

20+ years ago Radio Shack was probably remarketing batteries that were
made in the U.S., by a reputable battery mfgr. And they rotated their
stock by giving away battery of the month cards, so there weren't the
problems I see today. I recently looked at the battery rack, and I saw
leaky cells, air/zinc cells that the tab fell off and were dead, and
many, many cells that had been pulled out of the package and then the
package was retaped ot stapled back on. That's not the way to run a
business! If a customer sees an opened package, he immediately believes
that it's damaged goods.

> Tom

 

[Watson A.Name \"Watt Sun]

Chuck Harris wrote:

Watson A.Name "Watt Sun - the Dark Remover" wrote:

Then, you will have to lightly rough up any of the aluminum that was
meant to act as a contact. Aluminum oxide (anodize) is a very good
insulator.

Thanks. See my previous followup regarding aluminum oxide.

Watson, the Maglite flashlites have a couple of areas where the
aluminum oxide has been machined off, and a touch of silicon grease
has been applied so that they will make good electrical contact.
For example, the battery endcap.

I scraped as much as I could off the endcap where the spring makes
contact. It seems to do okay, but I found that the head end, when I
remove the reflectopr assy completely, and twist the plastic assy, it
sometimes makes contact with the body and sometimes doesn't. This is
apparently where my problems are. And it's just a little piece of metal
that sticks out and makes contact with the body. I don't lubing it is
going to help.

> -Chuck

 

[Watson A.Name \"Watt Sun]

Ban wrote:

Watson A.Name "Watt Sun - the Dark Remover" wrote:

Thanks. Radio Shaft Enercells, AKA piece of junk. I don't think they
have that guarantee. They say, "..return with receipt within 30 days
for a one time refund.." Like, I can do that? No...

Did you what I did and try to recharge normal alcalines? Yes, also mine
leaked and fu**ed two of my maglites. The layer on the inside was so thick,
that the batteries would stick inside. and the switch would work only if you
bumped it first.
I bought some new 2200mAh AA-Nimh and now it doesn't happen any more.

No, I haven't recharged alkalines. They apparently just got warm in my
pouch and pocked and leaked. Cheap Radio Shaft batteries I guess. I my
case, I'm using an Opalec NewBeam 3 LED module in place of the regular
incandescent lamp. Works great if I can just get the damn current to it.