How'd CORROSION GET IN MY BATTERY PACK??

[Cupajo]

Author Message
Cupajo



Joined: 24 Apr 2008
Posts: 20
Location: Old Lyme, Connecticut, USA
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 8:39 pm Post subject: HOW DID CORROSION GET IN MY Infinium LS BATTERY PACK???

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I've had my Infinium LS for a few weeks now and am careful to check for rust/corrosion in the battery compartment. I've had military training in corrosion control and some experience with electronics related corrosion.

That being said, was shocked to find rust on one contact spring of my Alkeline battery pack!!! I reasoned that somehow I had gotten a drop of salt water on it.

I glanced in the Batt. compartment and saw no corrosion. Fast forward to a few days later when I changed my rechargeable battery pack. I FOUND CORROSION AT THE BASE OF ONE OF THE CONTACTS IN THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT!!!!!!!!!

After using (very carefully) 6-parts cleaning wooden Q-tips (until I got no more signs of corrosion on the white tips) and an electronics cleaning agent (lightly sprayed on the Q-tips, not in the compartment!!!), I can bearly see a trace of corrosion on the spring.

I then applied a thin coating of electronic sealer to retard/prevent more corrosion.

Had I not been as careful as I was, the dammage could have been much worse!!

The thing that puzzles me and that I may never have the answer to, is how the corrosion got started in the first place???

I've never found any trace of moisture in the compartment. I haven't changed the battery where water could enter it either!!!

None of the alkelines showed signs of leaking and they were the brand new origional set that I removed immediatly after they died!!

I know that for corrosion to occur there must be metal, moisture and that chemicals and heat will accellerate the process.

Preventing moisture is the primary defence!!

I'm very careful with the "O"-ring seal, I'm also a plumber and know how seals work.

I may never know "how", but rest assured I'll be more watchful in the future!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GL&HH Friends,

Cupajo

 

[Cupajo]

Adrian SS



Joined: 15 Jan 2008
Posts: 80
Location: Canberra Australia
Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 7:33 am Post subject: corrosion

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cupajo,
One of the many things that can start corrosion in sealed battery compartments of metal detectors is that if the compartment is opened in salty moist air at the beach or in humid conditions some of this contaminated air plus moisture will get into the compartment and when the compartment is closed and the detector turned on, heat can be generated at the battery contacts causing moisture droplets to form on and around the terminals and any salty or acid residue that forms will begin the corrosion process. Also, depending on what type of metal plating is on the terminals of the batteries and the detector contacts, it is possible for an electolysis reaction to begin.

Adrian SS

 

[Cupajo]

Cupajo



Joined: 24 Apr 2008
Posts: 20
Location: Old Lyme, Connecticut, USA
Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:16 am Post subject: Corrosion Control

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Many thanks for the info. I wouldn't have thought of that. I don't recall opening the battery compartment, but then at my age I'm lucky to recall yesterday!!!

GL&HH Friend,

Cupajo

PS "Clean" and dry are the keys!!!

 

[Cupajo]

nugget



Joined: 29 Sep 2007
Posts: 139
Location: Brisbane Australia
Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 6:48 pm Post subject:

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Thanks for the tip Adrian, that is something well worth considering in the future. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise with us!!! HH regards Nugget.

 

[Cupajo]

Adrian SS



Joined: 15 Jan 2008
Posts: 80
Location: Canberra Australia
Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:50 pm Post subject: Remember what?

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G/Day Cupajo
Yea I know the feeling; Yesterday? What is that , have I missed something? Some days I wake up and I dunno if it's today or the day after.

Hey Nugget;
No worries mate, it's just bits of info I have picked up along the way to wherever the heck it is that I'm going on this fascinating life jurney.

Adrian SS

 

[Cupajo]

Wil



Joined: 30 Mar 2008
Posts: 24
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 9:52 pm Post subject: Leaking batteries

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Yep, us old guys do have a few memory problems alright.
I put a Magellan GPS away last fall with 2 new Duracell bateries
still inside. One battery leaked over the winter-surprisingly the battery
coils and contacts were OK but the plastic battery comparment
holding the springs eroded quite badly. Had to rebuild it with strip plastic and contact cement. Thanks for the reminder Cupajo.
(BTW-watch out for the Magellan brand GPS-no parts/service or help whatsoever.)

Best regards and HH

 

[Jackpine Savage]

You know how they like to mark things!

 

[Cupajo]

No Dog!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Jackpine Savage]

Thought maybe I'd get a screenwash outa him.

Sorry to do that to your thread. CJ

HH Tom

 

[3qtr]

Hey Joe, I also had a leaky battery on my Fisher and got the rust growing on the contacts. Maybe one of the battery packs has a leak. But then again, I'm the guy who goes out detecting with dead batteries!

Catch ya later.

 

[Cupajo]

Hi 3qtr,

I have been using the machine for many months now as you can see by checking the dates of the posts and replies.

The corrosion was in the battery compartment of my Infinium and at a place where it should have never occurred.

I used electrical contact cleaner and long "q-tip" type cleaners to scrub away the minor corrosion and then sealed the area where the problem occurred with an electrical sealing agent called liquid electrical tape.

I monitor the spot carefully and have not had any further problems.

Thanks for your interest and reply.

GL&HH Friend,

CJ

 

[Doc.]

when i install batteries i put a light coat of dialectric grease on the ends . it prevents electrolasis and is non conductive . available at auto parts stores . worth its weight in gold .

 

[Cupajo]

Great advice Doc!

Many thanks for the info Friend!

CJ

 

[ivanll]

n/t

 

[Doc.]

Your welcome "Cupajo"
I should have added that anything you put batteries in should be coated with it . DONT forget those very expensive cameras that sometimes have a way of getting neglected .

"Doc."