| Author | Thread |
|
|
07/28/2021 11:32:49 AM · #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 12:03:39 PM · #2 |
| Can't watch video at the moment, but I've used lemon juice with some success. |
|
|
|
07/28/2021 12:07:20 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 12:11:41 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 12:26:31 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 01:41:51 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 03:44:38 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 05:29:09 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 07:39:54 AM · #9 |
| Good news! What kind of brush or other utensil did you use? |
|
|
|
08/03/2021 08:08:08 AM · #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 08:56:33 AM · #11 |
| Thanks ... "Q-tip" is the most common brand of cotton swab (our generic term) in the USA ... |
|
|
|
08/03/2021 09:37:10 AM · #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 09:52:31 AM · #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 05:59:25 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 04:38:04 AM · #15 |
| +1 on the lithium grease suggestion, it works. |
|
|
|
08/05/2021 04:42:59 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 08:21:54 AM · #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.
|
|
