Should you feel bad for letting an expensive equipment potentially be ruined by a mere battery?
With many of todays devices depending on batteries, acid leakage and corrosion are common.
Plus, there are simple ways to prevent batteries from leaking acid into your rig again.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
What Is Battery Acid Leakage?
Battery acid is an alkaline residue composed of potassium hydroxide.
While its not a true acid, its no less corrosive or hazardous.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
Youll only find this throw in of battery acid leakage with alkaline batteries.
Devices increasingly are using lithium-ion batteries, and these batteries fail in a completely different way.
Any battery-operated electronic devices should be checked regularly to ensure that there’s no battery leakage.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
If the item is not being used often, it is a good idea to take the batteries out.
Always wear safety glasses and gloves when handling leaking batteries or cleaning corrosion from battery compartments.
confirm that you are wearing your protective gear, including safety glasses and gloves.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
Remove and Dispose of the Old Battery
Remove the corroded battery from the rig.
If the battery is stuck, gently pry it out with an old butter knife or screwdriver.
For a cylindrical battery that is stuck, attempt to rotate the battery to loosen the corrosion.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
Neutralize the Battery Acid
Pour the neutralizing liquid into the glass container.
Daub the neutralizer around the battery compartment and any areas that have acid.
Frequently change out the cotton swab for a new one.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
Tip
When the neutralizer comes into contact with the battery acid, it may fizz.
When the fizzing stops, the battery acid has been neutralized.
Neutralize Tougher Battery Acid
For particularly stubborn battery acid, dip an old toothbrush in the cleaner.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
Since this can transfer more liquid to the gadget, be very careful.
Have clean towels nearby to mop up spills.
Scrape out the Corrosion
Let the rig dry for about an hour.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
Scrape out the white corrosion with the paper clip or fine-gritsandpaperin the #220 to #320 range.
Be gentle when doing so to avoid damaging the thin metal terminals.
Tap out the debris.
Do not use water to clean out the debris.
Polish the Terminals
Use the pencil eraser to polish the metal battery terminals to a shine.
Any remaining corrosion will limit electric conductivity, so see to it that the terminals are completely clean.
Tips to Prevent Battery Acid Leakage in Your Devices
Sulfuric Acid.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Sulfuric Acid.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
