Take your batteries out!

Unregistered User · 10-18-2019, 03:34 AM

I've found that some electrical equipment can be saved by washing its innards with ordinary white vinegar - the acetic acid makes the alkaline crud foam up and wash away. Follow up with clear water and let the device dry out thoroughly. Almost always works for me.

**Archimedes the Dog** · 10-18-2019, 07:55 AM

Originally posted by dlh

I've found that some electrical equipment can be saved by washing its innards with ordinary white vinegar - the acetic acid makes the alkaline crud foam up and wash away. Follow up with clear water and let the device dry out thoroughly. Almost always works for me.

I'll give it a try, even though I already ordered the replacements!

35mmfilmfan · 10-18-2019, 02:04 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by dlh

I've found that some electrical equipment can be saved by washing its innards with ordinary white vinegar - the acetic acid makes the alkaline crud foam up and wash away. Follow up with clear water and let the device dry out thoroughly. Almost always works for me.

Thanks for that tip - would Stop Bath work ? I've more of that in stock than vinegar !

wings · 10-18-2019, 02:37 PM

Baking Soda will neutralize the battery residue and helps clean contacts. I have successfully used that for decades.

photoptimist · 10-18-2019, 02:39 PM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by 35mmfilmfan

Thanks for that tip - would Stop Bath work ? I've more of that in stock than vinegar !

LOL!

Wouldn't Fixer be better for any broken photographic equipment?

**UncleVanya** · 10-18-2019, 02:45 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by photoptimist

LOL!

Wouldn't Fixer better for any broken photographic equipment?

Five yard penalty for use of a pun. Lol.

**Archimedes the Dog** · 10-18-2019, 02:48 PM

Originally posted by wings

Baking Soda will neutralize the battery residue and helps clean contacts. I have successfully used that for decades.

How do you apply it?

**rogerstg** · 10-18-2019, 08:48 PM

Originally posted by wings

Baking Soda will neutralize the battery residue and helps clean contacts. I have successfully used that for decades.

FWIW, the leakage is an alkaline, like baking soda. A mild acid like vinegar neutralizes and dissolves it. Until recently, I thought it was acid leaking and used a baking soda paste to neutralize it. It sort of seemed to clean it (probably the abrasiveness of the baking soda). Vinegar works much faster though.

wings · 10-18-2019, 11:00 PM

Originally posted by Archimedes the Dog

How do you apply it?

Baking soda is regularly used to neutralize battery and clean battery terminals on car batteries which is easy to do. What I do for electronics is to wet a small amount of baking soda and depending upon the compartment size you can use a cloth or q-tips to go over the contacts and wipe down the compartment area. You want to avoid getting liquid into areas that you might not be able to access. If you can disassemble some parts it might make it easier. Baking soda is very effective and it doesn’t take much to neutralize the battery residue and will not harm any electronics. Once you are satisfied with the cleaning then follow up with a dampened cloth etc.

Personally, I would not use vinegar for this because it is a mild acid, actually ascetic acid, and as a liquid could seep onto electronics that you might not be able to reach and if left on it for a period it could possibly etch circuit boards. If you do use it then follow up with a dampened cloth with water or better yet distilled water.

By the way, you might consider using nitrile gloves if there is a battery leak that you are cleaning, but if you don’t then put a small amount of baking soda in your hands to neutralize it.

Unregistered User · 10-19-2019, 03:49 AM

Originally posted by 35mmfilmfan

Thanks for that tip - would Stop Bath work ? I've more of that in stock than vinegar !

Well, yes, it's essentially the same thing, but... The acetic acid concentration is much higher (generally used at 28% or so), while vinegar is generally in the 4%-5% range. I don't know what the higher concentration of acid would do to the (alkaline metal) parts. If what you've got is "glacial" acetic acid, that's almost full strength (98-99%). If it's already prepared, it's probably 28%. Either way, you could dilute it with water to make vinegar (though I wouldn't use it on a salad).

**Archimedes the Dog** · 10-20-2019, 06:21 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by dlh

I've found that some electrical equipment can be saved by washing its innards with ordinary white vinegar - the acetic acid makes the alkaline crud foam up and wash away. Follow up with clear water and let the device dry out thoroughly. Almost always works for me.

White vinegar and q-tips did the job!!

genericmoniker · 10-20-2019, 06:35 PM

+1 to white vinegar and q-tips. Just make sure to wear gloves if you've got sensitive skin.

Aaron28 · 10-20-2019, 07:09 PM

Originally posted by dlh

with ordinary white vinegar

vinegar works great!! as does some baking soda in water....vinegar is more convenient .....have revived a several battery compartments on old film cameras (even just getting the battery covers off) and a few flashes...……

I do try to remove every battery that is loaded in my light gear.....they get loaded on site outta the bag and unloaded going back in

10-18-2019, 02:39 PM - 3 Likes	#35
photoptimist Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,128	Originally posted by 35mmfilmfan Thanks for that tip - would Stop Bath work ? I've more of that in stock than vinegar ! LOL! Wouldn't Fixer be better for any broken photographic equipment? Last edited by photoptimist; 10-19-2019 at 05:32 AM.

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10-18-2019, 03:34 AM	#31
Unregistered User Guest	I've found that some electrical equipment can be saved by washing its innards with ordinary white vinegar - the acetic acid makes the alkaline crud foam up and wash away. Follow up with clear water and let the device dry out thoroughly. Almost always works for me.

10-18-2019, 07:55 AM	#32
Archimedes the Dog Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 1,146 Original Poster	Originally posted by dlh I've found that some electrical equipment can be saved by washing its innards with ordinary white vinegar - the acetic acid makes the alkaline crud foam up and wash away. Follow up with clear water and let the device dry out thoroughly. Almost always works for me. I'll give it a try, even though I already ordered the replacements!

10-18-2019, 02:04 PM - 1 Like	#33
35mmfilmfan Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 4,338	Originally posted by dlh I've found that some electrical equipment can be saved by washing its innards with ordinary white vinegar - the acetic acid makes the alkaline crud foam up and wash away. Follow up with clear water and let the device dry out thoroughly. Almost always works for me. Thanks for that tip - would Stop Bath work ? I've more of that in stock than vinegar !

10-18-2019, 02:37 PM	#34
wings Senior Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 209	Baking Soda will neutralize the battery residue and helps clean contacts. I have successfully used that for decades.

10-18-2019, 02:45 PM - 2 Likes	#36
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,446	Originally posted by photoptimist LOL! Wouldn't Fixer better for any broken photographic equipment? Five yard penalty for use of a pun. Lol.

10-18-2019, 02:48 PM	#37
Archimedes the Dog Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 1,146 Original Poster	Originally posted by wings Baking Soda will neutralize the battery residue and helps clean contacts. I have successfully used that for decades. How do you apply it?

10-18-2019, 08:48 PM	#38
rogerstg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Albums Posts: 1,168	Originally posted by wings Baking Soda will neutralize the battery residue and helps clean contacts. I have successfully used that for decades. FWIW, the leakage is an alkaline, like baking soda. A mild acid like vinegar neutralizes and dissolves it. Until recently, I thought it was acid leaking and used a baking soda paste to neutralize it. It sort of seemed to clean it (probably the abrasiveness of the baking soda). Vinegar works much faster though.

10-18-2019, 11:00 PM	#39
wings Senior Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 209	Originally posted by Archimedes the Dog How do you apply it? Baking soda is regularly used to neutralize battery and clean battery terminals on car batteries which is easy to do. What I do for electronics is to wet a small amount of baking soda and depending upon the compartment size you can use a cloth or q-tips to go over the contacts and wipe down the compartment area. You want to avoid getting liquid into areas that you might not be able to access. If you can disassemble some parts it might make it easier. Baking soda is very effective and it doesn’t take much to neutralize the battery residue and will not harm any electronics. Once you are satisfied with the cleaning then follow up with a dampened cloth etc. Personally, I would not use vinegar for this because it is a mild acid, actually ascetic acid, and as a liquid could seep onto electronics that you might not be able to reach and if left on it for a period it could possibly etch circuit boards. If you do use it then follow up with a dampened cloth with water or better yet distilled water. By the way, you might consider using nitrile gloves if there is a battery leak that you are cleaning, but if you don’t then put a small amount of baking soda in your hands to neutralize it.

10-19-2019, 03:49 AM	#40
Unregistered User Guest	Originally posted by 35mmfilmfan Thanks for that tip - would Stop Bath work ? I've more of that in stock than vinegar ! Well, yes, it's essentially the same thing, but... The acetic acid concentration is much higher (generally used at 28% or so), while vinegar is generally in the 4%-5% range. I don't know what the higher concentration of acid would do to the (alkaline metal) parts. If what you've got is "glacial" acetic acid, that's almost full strength (98-99%). If it's already prepared, it's probably 28%. Either way, you could dilute it with water to make vinegar (though I wouldn't use it on a salad).

10-20-2019, 06:21 PM - 2 Likes	#41
Archimedes the Dog Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 1,146 Original Poster	Originally posted by dlh I've found that some electrical equipment can be saved by washing its innards with ordinary white vinegar - the acetic acid makes the alkaline crud foam up and wash away. Follow up with clear water and let the device dry out thoroughly. Almost always works for me. White vinegar and q-tips did the job!!

10-20-2019, 06:35 PM	#42
genericmoniker Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 34	+1 to white vinegar and q-tips. Just make sure to wear gloves if you've got sensitive skin.

10-20-2019, 07:09 PM	#43
Aaron28 Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,131	Originally posted by dlh with ordinary white vinegar vinegar works great!! as does some baking soda in water....vinegar is more convenient .....have revived a several battery compartments on old film cameras (even just getting the battery covers off) and a few flashes...…… I do try to remove every battery that is loaded in my light gear.....they get loaded on site outta the bag and unloaded going back in