Remote control devices are fairly common in every household which can lead to battery leakage and corrosion. You may ask, what causes remote battery corrosion?
Leaving batteries for too long inside a device can cause the battery to leak harmful stuff. It gets mixed with elements in the air and introduces corrosion.
And, I have lots of information to share with you regarding battery corrosion in remote controls. Also, I will tell you how to prevent the problem or fix it in the easiest way possible. Let’s get started.
Key Points:
- Leaked battery inside a remote control introduces corrosion as harmful chemicals get mixed with the air.
- It takes a long time to damage the whole device; so, regular inspection can prevent corrosion.
- Early-stage corrosion must be cleaned properly to prevent further damages.
What Is Remote Battery Corrosion?
Remote control battery corrosion happens when there is a leak on the outer shell of the battery.
Very nasty and corrosive chemicals come out of the leaked area harming the electronic device.
Also, it can burn your soft skin, contaminate soil, and do different kinds of damage to the devices nearby.
Usually, household batteries have potassium hydroxide. Some of them can have sulfuric acid. Both are harmful and require different cleaning procedures.
What Causes Battery Corrosion in Remote?
The sole reason for battery corrosion is released hydrogen gas from longtime unattended batteries mixing with air.
But there is a catch. This situation doesn’t occur if you keep the batteries separated from the device.
When you leave them inside where the current is continuously flowing for a long time without supervision, battery corrosion is bound to happen.
All batteries, regardless of the brand, are bound to get corroded at some point in their service life.
Though Energizer markets their batteries claiming better sealing technology which doesn’t let the battery leak.
Indeed, it lasts longer than its competitors but nothing in this world is absolute.
How Do I Prevent Corrosion in Remote Control Battery Terminal?
After some research and reading users’ feedback, I could identify a common practice that needs to be changed. Lots of people store their remotes without removing the batteries. They think that the batteries will be lost if you remove and keep them somewhere else.
It is true but the question is, should you do it even when the practice can potentially damage the remote-control circuit?
So, the wisest move is to remove the batteries and make a dedicated place for storing the battery.
Also, don’t buy bad-quality cheap alkaline or other types of batteries as they don’t come with a better seal.
How to Clean Remote Control Battery Terminal Corrosion?
The cleaning process of the affected area in the battery compartment is easier than you think.
All you have to do is gather some supplies, and follow the steps described here. Firstly, here’s a list of the items you will need to clean the corrosion properly.
- Hand gloves
- White vinegar or lemon juice
- Cotton swabs or Q-Tips
- Old toothbrush (optional)
- Clean microfiber cloth
- Toothpick, and
- 150-grit sandpaper (optional)
Now, let’s get started.
Step 1: Firstly, remove the batteries from the chamber. Apply force if necessary. Don’t forget to put the gloves on before touching the batteries.
Step 2: Then, spray some vinegar or lemon juice to neutralize the area as the corrosion is basic. As an alternative way, you can use rubbing alcohol or WD40 too.
Step 3: Now, use Q-tip, toothbrush, or toothpick to run the corrosion. Choose any of the suggested options depending on the stiffness of the corrosion.
Step 4: Finally, clean off the residue with the clean microfiber cloth, and install new batteries.
Pro Tip: After the cleaning is done, apply some contact cleaner on the terminals if possible.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What to do when batteries corrode in remote?
When batteries corrode in a remote, you have to take them out and clean them thoroughly. Here, using isopropyl alcohol is the safest and most effective solution.
Does Battery Corrosion Ruin The Remote?
Battery corrosion left unchecked for a long time in a remote or any electronic device can cause serious damage.
How Do You Stop Battery Corrosion?
After doing some research, I have found that using anti-corrosion washers or a small amount of dielectric grease can stop corrosion in your remote control.
How To Clean Battery Corrosion In A Remote?
Firstly, neutralize the corroded batteries using white vinegar or lemon juice. Then, use isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) to clean the area with battery residue.
How To Fix Remote Control Battery Leak?
The only way to fix this problem is to remove the old batteries, clean the chamber, and install new ones.
Final Words
Seeing remote battery corrosion and the thought of dealing with it are not pleasant at all.
So, my request to you all is to follow the procedure I have described to prevent it in the first place.
If you fail to do so, you will have to simply clean the affected location and install new batteries; no alternative.
Before you plan to go on a trip for a long time, don’t leave any electronic device with removable batteries attached.
And, those who are planning to buy an alkaline battery for their low-drain devices should go with Energizer batteries because of their no-leak guarantee.
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