A lucky save from a sticky end. - Page 2 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

avocollector · 8th Jun 2018, 6:26 pm

Mixed feelings - like most I'd like leakproof duracells but on the other hand when the picture of the leaked in battery compartment goes up on the auction site, the bids all vanish - apart from mine! Duracell has been responsible for a fair number of bargains which once washed out, neutralised and cleaned have been fine ever since.

Sinewave · 8th Jun 2018, 11:25 pm

Cleaning battery contacts, that's another can of worms.

I recently cleaned one set with vinegar and a wire brush attachment on a dremel.

The corrosion was so bad that before I began, some of the contacts were eroded away. Others I've done with vinegar with good results and the dremel, only leaving pitting where the corrosion tried to eat the contacts.

I'm by no means an expert at this at all.

john.north · 29th Jun 2018, 7:08 pm

Just got to mine in time. Had ordered a new 15 volt cell. Removed the cover and saw the Duracell had started to leak. Managed to clean the negative contact. No harm done. Replaced with a supermarket cheaply.The blr121 read 13.5v and was the original Eveready.
Avo 9 mk4 part no 5170 262.
John.

Biggles · 29th Jun 2018, 8:31 pm

I just managed to save the contacts in a battery compartment in a wall clock after it stopped recently. It must have been the only Duracell battery left in the house, obviously forgotten after I did a trawl a couple of years back to bin them all. The date was 2023 on the AA battery. Badly corroded and leaking nasty chemicals all over the place. The clock was inside the house, at normal ambient temperature and humidity. I won't use them again.
Alan.

john.north · 29th Jun 2018, 8:58 pm

Hello Dave,
Good point! Just checked March 2012 so it has been in a heck of a long time. I use the meter most days and I knew the blr121 was on its way otherwise it would still be in. Incidentally what is the average shelf life of new batteries? I have just found some aaa and they are stamped 2026. If the average is say eight years I would have replaced that in 2004. Well past it’s sell by.
John.

The Philpott · 29th Jun 2018, 9:11 pm

I notice 'They' are now tending to extend the dates printed on Alkaline AAA,AA,C,D, cells such that it's not unusual to buy them with 2026-2028 quoted. I don't intend to test the extremities of these claims!

Also I have a BLR121 that I recently re-stuffed with (ten) alkaline LR54's, one of which started to generate white powder despite the packaging date of Dec 2018. Well they were a quid for a big blister card of asstd sizes.. what did I expect?

Boater Sam · 29th Jun 2018, 10:06 pm

Is the white fluffy powder from alkaline button cells corrosive? Never had much of a problem with it.

The Philpott · 29th Jun 2018, 10:25 pm

Not sure- but it certainly created resistance which the minimal current demand on the BLR121 couldn't break through. On high ohm range the needle was fluctuating madly. Aha, i thought. i know what's causing that..

8th Jun 2018, 6:26 pm	#21
avocollector Heptode Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wellington, New Zealand. Posts: 653	Re: A lucky save from a sticky end. Mixed feelings - like most I'd like leakproof duracells but on the other hand when the picture of the leaked in battery compartment goes up on the auction site, the bids all vanish - apart from mine! Duracell has been responsible for a fair number of bargains which once washed out, neutralised and cleaned have been fine ever since.

8th Jun 2018, 11:25 pm	#22
Sinewave Octode Join Date: May 2016 Location: Oxfordshire/Bucks borders, UK. Posts: 1,604	Re: A lucky save from a sticky end. Cleaning battery contacts, that's another can of worms. I recently cleaned one set with vinegar and a wire brush attachment on a dremel. The corrosion was so bad that before I began, some of the contacts were eroded away. Others I've done with vinegar with good results and the dremel, only leaving pitting where the corrosion tried to eat the contacts. I'm by no means an expert at this at all. __________________ Avometer, vintage Fluke and Marconi collector. Also interested in vintage Yaesu and KW.

29th Jun 2018, 7:08 pm	#23
john.north Pentode Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Immingham, North East Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 174	Re: A lucky save from a sticky end. Just got to mine in time. Had ordered a new 15 volt cell. Removed the cover and saw the Duracell had started to leak. Managed to clean the negative contact. No harm done. Replaced with a supermarket cheaply.The blr121 read 13.5v and was the original Eveready. Avo 9 mk4 part no 5170 262. John.

29th Jun 2018, 8:31 pm	#24
Biggles Rest in Peace Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hexham, Northumberland, UK. Posts: 2,234	Re: A lucky save from a sticky end. I just managed to save the contacts in a battery compartment in a wall clock after it stopped recently. It must have been the only Duracell battery left in the house, obviously forgotten after I did a trawl a couple of years back to bin them all. The date was 2023 on the AA battery. Badly corroded and leaking nasty chemicals all over the place. The clock was inside the house, at normal ambient temperature and humidity. I won't use them again. Alan. Last edited by Biggles; 29th Jun 2018 at 8:33 pm. Reason: extra info

29th Jun 2018, 8:58 pm	#25
john.north Pentode Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Immingham, North East Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 174	Re: A lucky save from a sticky end. Hello Dave, Good point! Just checked March 2012 so it has been in a heck of a long time. I use the meter most days and I knew the blr121 was on its way otherwise it would still be in. Incidentally what is the average shelf life of new batteries? I have just found some aaa and they are stamped 2026. If the average is say eight years I would have replaced that in 2004. Well past it’s sell by. John.

29th Jun 2018, 9:11 pm	#26
The Philpott Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Colchester, Essex, UK. Posts: 4,107	Re: A lucky save from a sticky end. I notice 'They' are now tending to extend the dates printed on Alkaline AAA,AA,C,D, cells such that it's not unusual to buy them with 2026-2028 quoted. I don't intend to test the extremities of these claims! Also I have a BLR121 that I recently re-stuffed with (ten) alkaline LR54's, one of which started to generate white powder despite the packaging date of Dec 2018. Well they were a quid for a big blister card of asstd sizes.. what did I expect?

29th Jun 2018, 10:06 pm	#27
Boater Sam Banned Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Middlewich, Cheshire, UK. & Winter in the Philippines. Posts: 3,897	Re: A lucky save from a sticky end. Is the white fluffy powder from alkaline button cells corrosive? Never had much of a problem with it.

29th Jun 2018, 10:25 pm	#28
The Philpott Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Colchester, Essex, UK. Posts: 4,107	Re: A lucky save from a sticky end. Not sure- but it certainly created resistance which the minimal current demand on the BLR121 couldn't break through. On high ohm range the needle was fluctuating madly. Aha, i thought. i know what's causing that..