Leaking batteries. A reminder, a warning. - Page 10 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

G6Tanuki · 23rd Mar 2024, 6:37 pm

I always set up recurring appointments in Outlook to remind me to change batteries.

Dead easy, and stops me forgetting about the battery in some obscure bit of gear only to find it flat and leakage damaged when I need it in a hurry.

Let technology take the responsibility of reminders....

emeritus · 23rd Mar 2024, 6:42 pm

i have a Panasonic Zinc-Carbon flat battery in the old torch we keep in the kitchen. It's dated 10-2010. Just checked it and it measures 4.5V open circuit and provides a nice bright light. As its cells are in a plastic case, I guess it should be pretty leak-resistant. I still have the plastic case of a Duracell 4.5V flat battery that I was going to fit a 3xAA battery holder to when the Panasonic expired, but as it's still going strong, the Duracell mod is on the 'round tuit' pile.

Chris55000 · 23rd Mar 2024, 8:14 pm

Evening Symon!

. . . Regarding your N7118, now you've got the green verdigris off the copper print side of the PCB, it might be worth giving the copper–print side of the PCB a coat of circuit–board varnish afterwards to protect it!

. . .My policy with such equipment is to completely de–populate the PCB, wash it both sides in very hot soapy water and dry it in a hot–cupboard or on a radiator, scan it at high–resolution 300 D.P.I. black–and white, (both sides), reassemble the board with new resistors, electrolytics, small transistors, diodes, etc., (this was always recommended in "Television's" articles for major breakdowns of Sony TVs), replace old low–profile sockets with turned–pin ones, fit terminal–pins to protect the print from damage by external wiring breaking off (where possible), lacquer the copper side with circuit varnish, and finally (unless an equally good scan or original paper manual is available!) prepare a complete new Circuit Diagram on my sPlan 8, so it's preserved as far as possible against future damage by battery leakage, etc!

. . .Well done on resurrecting yours – I think it can go down in the "Success Stories" thread if you've tested it and it's all working OK!

Chris Williams

Phil G4SPZ · 24th Mar 2024, 9:20 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Philpott

I've noted that LED headlamps using AAA cells pull excessive current, rechargeable Li-Ion ones are preferable…

Hi Dave. I agree. I’ve tried standard rechargeable NiMH AAA cells in head torches but have been disappointed by their relatively short life. Do you have any recommendations for rechargeable Li-Ion drop-in replacements?

I am tending to use rechargeable cells more and more, especially in valuable equipment, as they’re less likely to leak.

23rd Mar 2024, 6:37 pm	#181
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 14,007	Re: Leaking batteries. A reminder, a warning. I always set up recurring appointments in Outlook to remind me to change batteries. Dead easy, and stops me forgetting about the battery in some obscure bit of gear only to find it flat and leakage damaged when I need it in a hurry. Let technology take the responsibility of reminders.... __________________ I'm the Operator of my Pocket Calculator. -Kraftwerk.

23rd Mar 2024, 6:42 pm	#182
emeritus Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Brentwood, Essex, UK. Posts: 5,345	Re: Leaking batteries. A reminder, a warning. i have a Panasonic Zinc-Carbon flat battery in the old torch we keep in the kitchen. It's dated 10-2010. Just checked it and it measures 4.5V open circuit and provides a nice bright light. As its cells are in a plastic case, I guess it should be pretty leak-resistant. I still have the plastic case of a Duracell 4.5V flat battery that I was going to fit a 3xAA battery holder to when the Panasonic expired, but as it's still going strong, the Duracell mod is on the 'round tuit' pile.

23rd Mar 2024, 8:14 pm	#183
Chris55000 Nonode Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Walsall Wood, Aldridge, Walsall, UK. Posts: 2,873	Re: Leaking batteries. A reminder, a warning. Evening Symon! . . . Regarding your N7118, now you've got the green verdigris off the copper print side of the PCB, it might be worth giving the copper–print side of the PCB a coat of circuit–board varnish afterwards to protect it! . . .My policy with such equipment is to completely de–populate the PCB, wash it both sides in very hot soapy water and dry it in a hot–cupboard or on a radiator, scan it at high–resolution 300 D.P.I. black–and white, (both sides), reassemble the board with new resistors, electrolytics, small transistors, diodes, etc., (this was always recommended in "Television's" articles for major breakdowns of Sony TVs), replace old low–profile sockets with turned–pin ones, fit terminal–pins to protect the print from damage by external wiring breaking off (where possible), lacquer the copper side with circuit varnish, and finally (unless an equally good scan or original paper manual is available!) prepare a complete new Circuit Diagram on my sPlan 8, so it's preserved as far as possible against future damage by battery leakage, etc! . . .Well done on resurrecting yours – I think it can go down in the "Success Stories" thread if you've tested it and it's all working OK! Chris Williams __________________ It's an enigma, that's what it is! This thing's not fixed because it doesn't want to be fixed! Last edited by Chris55000; 23rd Mar 2024 at 8:30 pm.