Leaking Duracells

[Hatstand]

Just had a Duracell leak in my 4 cell Mag. A bit annoying since the battery wasn't that old and should have been ok. (Was with other batteries of same age blah blah)

Not looking to work out WHY (I don't care) but wondering what the best way of cleaning out the barrel is. There isn't much of the alkalai leaked, but I wondered if there was something good to clean it out with that would stop any further damage. (There isn't any really yet)

Or am I reading too much into the situation and lots of water would be fine??

 

[francis]

Would rinsing it out with acetic acid followed by several rinses of clean water work?

Francis

 

[nickwilliams]

Bicarbonate of soda solution is supposed to be good for this.

Nick.

 

[footleg]

Don't big brand batteries manufacturers provide no leak guarantees on their products? You might be able to claim for a new maglite from them?

 

[paul]

Don't big brand batteries manufacturers provide no leak guarantees on their products? You might be able to claim for a new maglite from them?

If they were genuine Duracells. I bought some cheap Duracell AAs from a market stall some years ago and put them in my Maglite. Two or three months later I need to use the Maglite (camping - not underground luckily) and found it wouldn't work. I removed the end cap and the batteries had not only leaked but also expanded so that I could not get them out! I had to chuck the bloody thing away in the end.

I read in the local paper to be wary of buying batteries locally as the Trading Standards Office had several complaints of "Duracell" batteries being dodgy after being purchased locally...

Of course that particular stall-holder never seemed to be around any more.

 

[Hatstand]

Don't big brand batteries manufacturers provide no leak guarantees on their products? You might be able to claim for a new maglite from them?

Hi Footleg

Currently the damage isn't enough to warrant replacing the lamp. But they were genuine Duracells from a reputable supplier. Just wanted to clear out the barrel to stop any further damage.

Hat

 

[MatthiasM]

I would just use lots of flowing water, water and water again, last rinsing with demineralized water and let it dry properly. You never know which damages occur by anything else than pH neutral liquids (alcalic may eat aluminium, acid stuff may eat any electrical contacts, copper, brass). If possible, disassemble the maglite as far as possible before you flood it entirely.

 

[Agrophobic]

I'd reccomend washing it out with a weak vinegar solution to neurtralise the alkali then plenty of water to clear the vinegar.

 

[Hatstand]

Thanks y'all for the replies. 

Went for the vinegar in the end, tried just water but the smell of nastiness wouldn't go away, implying there was still nastiness in attendance. Vinegar applied then more water, lemony fresh  (doesn't even smell of vinegar)

As an aside though, its an absolute SOD to get the inside to dry out afterwards. Even after several days of drying, when you reassemble it, you force more dampness out of the sprung bit  :-\ I'm sure it'll get there eventually though.... 

 

[francis]

You could put it in the oven @ 50*C for a while, leave it on a heated floor or use a hairdryer to dry it.

Francis