Opening frozen battery compartment

snofox · 02-26-2009, 05:01 PM

Greetings!

I have a Pentax Spotmatic that I bought in the 70s, and find that I can actually get batteries for it and use it again. The only problem I have is that the battery compartment lid is frozen shut (an old battery is inside too) and I am afraid of stripping the lid by using a hefty screwdriver to force it open.

I am considering using some penetrating oil to get the lid off. Is this too dangerous (I am afraid of penetrating oil actually penetrating the camera body itself). Are there other suggestions for getting the lid off safely?

Thanks.

Nesster · 02-26-2009, 05:17 PM

First, you should take the bottom off - there are I think 2 screws that hold it on. (memory fails for the moment, maybe 2 more around the tripod bushing.)

Then put it in a glass filled with white vinegar and let it soak a while. Vinegar dissolves the battery corrosion. Don't leave it too long as the finish will start to change.

This has worked well on one bottom, but on another the corrosion is so bad it didn't do the trick.

I've never used an oil, maybe someone has - but by removing the bottom first you'll avoid any other problems.

good luck!

SOldBear · 02-26-2009, 05:17 PM

Use the tip of a soldering iron to heat up the lid and let it cool. Repeat a few times. The expand & contraction may loosen the lid.

This trick helps with frozen screws as well.

woof · 02-26-2009, 05:23 PM

Originally posted by Nesster

First, you should take the bottom off - there are I think 2 screws that hold it on. (memory fails for the moment, maybe 2 more around the tripod bushing.)

Then put it in a glass filled with white vinegar and let it soak a while. Vinegar dissolves the battery corrosion. Don't leave it too long as the finish will start to change.

x 2. This has worked for me.

woof!

wlank · 02-26-2009, 06:12 PM

Originally posted by snofox

Are there other suggestions for getting the lid off safely?

Send the camera to Eric Hendrickson. It most likely needs a good CLA as well, and there is no one better.
Eric

Stevopedia · 02-26-2009, 06:44 PM

Originally posted by wlank

Send the camera to Eric Hendrickson. It most likely needs a good CLA as well, and there is no one better.
Eric

+1. My KX was in sorry shape when it left me, and came back looking really nice and working just like new. It's worth every penny... and more, his prices are quite reasonable.

straightshooter · 02-26-2009, 08:06 PM

Originally posted by wlank

Send the camera to Eric Hendrickson. It most likely needs a good CLA as well, and there is no one better.
Eric

Another vote for Eric. He did a beautiful job on my S1a.

Never tried it but I have heard also of taking the bottom off and putting it in the freezer before trying to loosen the battery cover. Different metals shrinking a different rates and that sort of thing.

CW

Ratmagiclady · 02-26-2009, 11:24 PM

The freezer makes a good first try: with a lot of metals it doesn't necessarily matter *what* temperatures are involved, as long as the different pieces change differently. Doesn't necessarily take much. With any frozen threads, the best way is to slowly and steadily increase the pressure with which you try to unscrew, rather than trying to jerk or force it suddenly. Metal has an elasticity about it that works against you if you try and apply pressure suddenly.

If the battery lid is in the brass plate, what's likely to happen is that when you take it out of the cold, and hold it in your hand, the thin brass will warm up first, compared to the more solid piece of metal in the cap, and expand, and that's probably the most advantageous.

May not be enough, but it's probably the gentlest way.

titrisol · 02-27-2009, 07:52 AM

Excellent Idea!
Why not resting the camera on abag of frozen peas until the temperature goes dow a bit and try movign the cap gently
Then do it again a few times

If you are braver you may also try to put the camer aupside-down an let a drop of wd40 seep thorugh beforehand

Mike Cash · 02-27-2009, 01:27 PM

Originally posted by titrisol

If you are braver you may also try to put the camera upside-down an let a drop of wd40 seep thorugh beforehand

I'd recommend naptha.....plain old Zippo lighter fluid. It evaporates without a trace. The WD40 will be in there forever.

Ratmagiclady · 02-27-2009, 09:41 PM

Originally posted by Mike Cash

I'd recommend naptha.....plain old Zippo lighter fluid. It evaporates without a trace. The WD40 will be in there forever.

Actually, that's likely incorrect. Naptha has some volatiles in it, but always leaves a residue. Probably, you're better off with a sparing use of vinegar.

georgweb · 02-28-2009, 03:18 AM

I did it like that: Take off the bottom plate with the battery compartment, like Nesster did.

The batt. compartment's contact is just a metal lid pressing on a contact, so you can take the back plate straight off with the closed batt. compartment.

I let it soak in oil then (WD40), for about one or two weeks.

Then, I finally got it loose through moving it a little bit in the 'close' direction. After that, removing the oil was easy.

Of course the battery had leaked huge amounts of that white stuff. Don't really know if vinegar or oil does dissolve it better.

G'luck, Georg (the other)

02-26-2009, 05:01 PM	#1
snofox Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Fredericton New Brunswick Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 334	Opening frozen battery compartment Greetings! I have a Pentax Spotmatic that I bought in the 70s, and find that I can actually get batteries for it and use it again. The only problem I have is that the battery compartment lid is frozen shut (an old battery is inside too) and I am afraid of stripping the lid by using a hefty screwdriver to force it open. I am considering using some penetrating oil to get the lid off. Is this too dangerous (I am afraid of penetrating oil actually penetrating the camera body itself). Are there other suggestions for getting the lid off safely? Thanks.

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02-26-2009, 05:17 PM	#2
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	First, you should take the bottom off - there are I think 2 screws that hold it on. (memory fails for the moment, maybe 2 more around the tripod bushing.) Then put it in a glass filled with white vinegar and let it soak a while. Vinegar dissolves the battery corrosion. Don't leave it too long as the finish will start to change. This has worked well on one bottom, but on another the corrosion is so bad it didn't do the trick. I've never used an oil, maybe someone has - but by removing the bottom first you'll avoid any other problems. good luck!

02-26-2009, 05:17 PM	#3
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	Use the tip of a soldering iron to heat up the lid and let it cool. Repeat a few times. The expand & contraction may loosen the lid. This trick helps with frozen screws as well.

02-26-2009, 05:23 PM	#4
woof Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: In the present Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,870	Originally posted by Nesster First, you should take the bottom off - there are I think 2 screws that hold it on. (memory fails for the moment, maybe 2 more around the tripod bushing.) Then put it in a glass filled with white vinegar and let it soak a while. Vinegar dissolves the battery corrosion. Don't leave it too long as the finish will start to change. x 2. This has worked for me. woof!

02-26-2009, 06:12 PM	#5
wlank Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Santa Teresa, New Mexico Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,130	Originally posted by snofox Are there other suggestions for getting the lid off safely? Send the camera to Eric Hendrickson. It most likely needs a good CLA as well, and there is no one better. Eric

02-26-2009, 06:44 PM	#6
Stevopedia Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: South Carolina, USA Posts: 273	Originally posted by wlank Send the camera to Eric Hendrickson. It most likely needs a good CLA as well, and there is no one better. Eric +1. My KX was in sorry shape when it left me, and came back looking really nice and working just like new. It's worth every penny... and more, his prices are quite reasonable.

02-26-2009, 08:06 PM	#7
straightshooter Inactive Account Join Date: May 2008 Location: Forest Park, Georgia/Jacksonville, Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 633	Originally posted by wlank Send the camera to Eric Hendrickson. It most likely needs a good CLA as well, and there is no one better. Eric Another vote for Eric. He did a beautiful job on my S1a. Never tried it but I have heard also of taking the bottom off and putting it in the freezer before trying to loosen the battery cover. Different metals shrinking a different rates and that sort of thing. CW

02-26-2009, 11:24 PM	#8
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	The freezer makes a good first try: with a lot of metals it doesn't necessarily matter what temperatures are involved, as long as the different pieces change differently. Doesn't necessarily take much. With any frozen threads, the best way is to slowly and steadily increase the pressure with which you try to unscrew, rather than trying to jerk or force it suddenly. Metal has an elasticity about it that works against you if you try and apply pressure suddenly. If the battery lid is in the brass plate, what's likely to happen is that when you take it out of the cold, and hold it in your hand, the thin brass will warm up first, compared to the more solid piece of metal in the cap, and expand, and that's probably the most advantageous. May not be enough, but it's probably the gentlest way.

02-27-2009, 07:52 AM	#9
titrisol Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,854	Excellent Idea! Why not resting the camera on abag of frozen peas until the temperature goes dow a bit and try movign the cap gently Then do it again a few times If you are braver you may also try to put the camer aupside-down an let a drop of wd40 seep thorugh beforehand

02-27-2009, 01:27 PM	#10
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950	Originally posted by titrisol If you are braver you may also try to put the camera upside-down an let a drop of wd40 seep thorugh beforehand I'd recommend naptha.....plain old Zippo lighter fluid. It evaporates without a trace. The WD40 will be in there forever.

02-27-2009, 09:41 PM	#11
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	Originally posted by Mike Cash I'd recommend naptha.....plain old Zippo lighter fluid. It evaporates without a trace. The WD40 will be in there forever. Actually, that's likely incorrect. Naptha has some volatiles in it, but always leaves a residue. Probably, you're better off with a sparing use of vinegar.

02-28-2009, 03:18 AM	#12
georgweb Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Berlin, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,386	I did it like that: Take off the bottom plate with the battery compartment, like Nesster did. The batt. compartment's contact is just a metal lid pressing on a contact, so you can take the back plate straight off with the closed batt. compartment. I let it soak in oil then (WD40), for about one or two weeks. Then, I finally got it loose through moving it a little bit in the 'close' direction. After that, removing the oil was easy. Of course the battery had leaked huge amounts of that white stuff. Don't really know if vinegar or oil does dissolve it better. G'luck, Georg (the other)