Battery corrosion in my electronics

[BuckSnort]

I'm usually good at taking the batteries out of stuff when I'm done for the season but somehow I forgot to remove them from one of my backpacking cameras and a 2 way radio... This is not the common small amount of corrosion on the terminal, most of the battery area on my camera is caked up with the white corrosion.. Is there some kind of aerosol spray cleaner for this that is safe on electronics?

 

[COlineman78]

You can use either white vinegar or baking soda with a touch of water. Use a Q-Tip to apply and clean the terminals. Let it dry completely before putting a battery back in.

 

[Brodie]

You can buy electrical contact cleaner in an aerosol or use 99% isopropyl


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[couesbitten]

In the future use lithium batteries, it's about all I use anymore, and I've never heard of one leaking.

 

[idcuda]

I've done the white vinegar/baking powder deal. I think it works if you get in there and clean really well. I didn't.

Anecdotal, but I did notice that I had more problems when I was using Costco branded batteries. I use Amazon batteries mostly now, when I'm not running lithium, and I don't have the same problem at all with corrosion. Might be all in my head, maybe not. Hell, the Costco/Amazon batteries probably roll out of the same factory.

 

[discopotato]

I have a headlamp that I revived by scrubbing with a nylon bristle brush and some vinegar. The springs still look rusty but it has been working for the last year so I can't complain.

 

[BuckSnort]

Thanks guys, I'm gonna give these methods a try starting with the electrical contact aerosol...

 

[DenRuyter]

Like Brodie said, get an aerosol can of electronics contact cleaner. I use it at work a fair amount for cleaning circuit boards and it works great and dries clean. I'd scrub with a q-tip or tiny hard bristled brush if you can get in there with it. After it dries I'd also get one of those $2 rough grey erasers and rub it on both sides of the battery contacts to clean it up a little better. Then rub a $1 bill back and forth too and it will be good as new. I use the money trick on gold contacts all the time on medical equipment and it revives them 99% of the time after all that. If your in WI I'd gladly give u a can of the contact cleaner....


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[aron]

Lithium batteries are the way to go and prevent much of this corrosion issue.

 

[BuckSnort]

Update:

Thanks again guys, the electronics contact cleaner spray and a Q-tip to scrub worked ..

 

[couesbitten]

Good to hear, I've had to rescue a few items myself.

 

[Brodie]

Awesome.
I just revived an iPhone that went for a swim in the ocean with me. Opened it up and hosed it down with contact cleaner and lightly scrubbed with toothbrush to take off corrosion. Installed a new $10 battery and was able to get all my pics off it. Apple Store told me there was no hope.


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