I left batteries in a radio and just found that some tan crusty stuff
accumulated is on one of the negative contacts. I guess that battery leaked
and dried. It seems I can scrape it off with some difficulty.

If I go to the trouble of scraping it all off, will it work or have I ruined
the radio?

Thanks
bonnie

I left batteries in a radio and just found that some tan crusty stuff
accumulated is on one of the negative contacts. I guess that battery
leaked and dried. It seems I can scrape it off with some difficulty.

If I go to the trouble of scraping it all off, will it work or have I
ruined the radio?

I've had good luck cleaning it off if it's only on the battery
contacts. If it got into the circuitry, not so much.

Scrape off what you can, then wipe everything down with dilute vinegar,
followed by dilute baking soda, followed by plain water.

The vinegar will neutralize any basic chemicals. The baking soda will
neutralize leftover vinegar and any acidic chemicals. The plain water
will get rid of the baking soda.

Let everything dry for a few days, then try your radio.

Check your batteries for a warranty. The manufacturer might buy you a
new, similar model.

--
Steve Bell
New Life Home Improvement
Arlington, TX USA

On Sat, 17 Jan 2009 13:48:08 -0500, "Bonnie Jean"
wrote:

I left batteries in a radio and just found that some tan crusty stuff
accumulated is on one of the negative contacts. I guess that battery leaked
and dried. It seems I can scrape it off with some difficulty.

If I go to the trouble of scraping it all off, will it work or have I ruined
the radio?

Thanks
bonnie


That depends if it got into the circuits, or just on the battery
contacts. If it's just the contacts, you should be safe, although
they can corrode away. Radio shack has battery holders so you can
replace that part. Besides scraping off the crud, use Q-tips and some
rubbing alcohol to clean them well. Rubbing alcohol contains water,
so let the thing dry well before you use it. If the contacts are
corroded, use a wire brush on them to expose bare metal.

"Bonnie Jean" wrote in
:

I left batteries in a radio and just found that some tan crusty stuff
accumulated is on one of the negative contacts. I guess that battery
leaked and dried. It seems I can scrape it off with some difficulty.

If I go to the trouble of scraping it all off, will it work or have I
ruined the radio?

Thanks
bonnie




if ALKALINE cells,use vinegar to neutralize the leakage.
If "heavy-duty" cells,use a baking soda solution.
Q-tips are good for applying the solutions.
Then clean again with plain water,and dry.
--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net

"Bonnie Jean" wrote in message
...
I left batteries in a radio and just found that some tan crusty stuff
accumulated is on one of the negative contacts. I guess that battery
leaked
and dried. It seems I can scrape it off with some difficulty.

If I go to the trouble of scraping it all off, will it work or have I
ruined
the radio?

Thanks
bonnie

Were they Duracells? I've had several leaks with them before I discovered
the problem and quit buying them. They do claim to have a warranty as
someone else mentioned.

Should work. Most of the time, batteries leak from the flat
negative end. So the corrosion is on the spring. This can be
a lot of work to get it going again. But, most likely you
can get it cleaned up. Sometimes water on Q-tip will help
scrub off the corrosion.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"Bonnie Jean" wrote in
message ...
I left batteries in a radio and just found that some tan
crusty stuff
accumulated is on one of the negative contacts. I guess that
battery leaked
and dried. It seems I can scrape it off with some
difficulty.

If I go to the trouble of scraping it all off, will it work
or have I ruined
the radio?

Thanks
bonnie

Thanks to everyone. I'll try to clean it up. I found the regular cord and
the radio works so I guess it's not busted.

bonnie