Today batteries of various types are used everywhere; they are installed in watches, control panels, computer mice, and also in miniature electronic devices. The modern user is literally surrounded by these products and is forced to use them constantly.
At the same time, various troubles often happen to them, one of which is the leakage of an electrolyte or more complex chemical compounds in liquid form. If you try to simply wipe the leaked composition with a clean rag, then over time, the contact spots will oxidize, and the battery itself will become unusable (photo below).
What is required to eliminate the leak?
To eliminate the consequences of this unpleasant situation, you will need the following set of auxiliary tools:
- set of paper napkins;
- baby sticks for cleaning ears;
- a small piece of clean cloth.
You also need to prepare some baking soda and a small supply of vinegar. After that, you should decide on the type of leaking battery that you have at your disposal. To do this, it is enough to read the inscription on the case, which usually indicates that it is either salt (carbon-zinc), or alkaline or alkaline.
Cleaning procedure
After it was possible to determine the type of leaked battery, you can begin to neutralize its discharge.
note: Regardless of the type of faulty element, first of all, you should worry about personal safety.
When working with particularly aggressive alkaline batteries, it is recommended to stock up on cotton gloves and special goggles.
The order of cleaning operations depends on the type of element.
Salt batteries
If products of the first type (saline) have leaked, the procedure for cleaning the compartment and contacts will be as follows:
- A cotton swab is taken and moistened in a small amount of plain water.
- Then, with its help, the places of contamination are thoroughly wiped.
- At the end of these operations, a soft cloth is taken, with which they are wiped again, but this time dry.
- The battery compartment is left to dry, after which a piece of thick cloth is taken, which is used for finishing the contacts.
After cleaning is complete, new supply elements are inserted into the compartment.
Nickel-cadmium (NK) and lithium batteries
If a trouble has occurred with an NK product, baking soda will be required to clean the contacts from electrolyte. Then all operations are repeated in the same sequence as in the previous case.
In a situation where lithium batteries have leaked, things are much worse. Since lithium is chemically very aggressive, all parts affected by it cannot be restored. This also applies to reagent-filled contacts.
Alkaline (alkaline) batteries
Alkaline batteries are most common in everyday life, so learning how to take care of them is extremely important (photo below).
To remove the alkali leaked from them, you will need a cotton swab dipped in vinegar or citric acid. With a cleaning agent prepared in this way, it is enough to wipe all areas filled with electrolyte. After that, it remains only to re-clean them with the same sticks, but already dry.