Got a 2-AA Rayovac LED flashlight with aluminum body, water proof seals and camo finish. Problem is when the batteries die and then begin to leak no one knows until it’s too late. Needed a pair of pliers wrench to unseal the threaded bottom. Got one battery out by tapping on a scrap of lumber but the inner battery appears to be corroded in nice and tight. Any suggestions to get the AA battery out?
Battery Removal Tips
- Thread starter mrvm
- Start date
kbeefy
Well-known member
Can you remove the cap on the other end?
Maybe drill a pilot hole in the end of the battery and thread a screw into it?
Maybe drill a pilot hole in the end of the battery and thread a screw into it?
Mick56
Well-known member
I've had some like that. Tried threading in a big screw, it just pulls through the battery. I end up throwing them away.
csp
Well-known member
Contact the battery company, explain to them that their battery ruined the flashlight, and they will reimburse you the cost of a new light.
I remember that guarantee from the old EverReady batteries on the package from my child hood. So many LED flash lights out there for not too much money but if I could salvage this one I will try. Thanks for the tips everyone. Somehow I was a bit hesitant to drill a battery as I wonder what’s in that fluid.
65ranchero
Well-known member
Yes and no If it's Duracell good luck, other companies will give you a new device or give you a check for the estimated cost.
I had a Mini Mag AA flashlight and I think it had Eveready batteries in there got one out and saw the brand could not get the other one out ,put the 1st one back in and mailed it back with a short letter and several weeks later I got a check.
On the corrosion issue, how about trying water vinegar solution and let it soak in. I was able to clean corrosion up with a battery leak
Don't forget to neutralize the solution after.
You probably have nothing to loose.
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cdeer001
Well-known member
Energizer - depends on the battery installed. https://www.energizer.com/about-bat...e#:~:text=Guaranteed.,full use of the battery.
Duracell - https://api.ferguson.com/dar-step-s...=6500849&USE_TYPE=WARRANTY&PRODUCT_ID=4631926
65ranchero
Well-known member
Just for information
This is from 2014 suit dismissed Oct. 2015
Class action lawsuit Duracell
topclassactions.com
This is from 2014 suit dismissed Oct. 2015
Class action lawsuit Duracell
Duracell Batteries Leak In Normal Use, Class Action Claims
Duracell Batteries are prone to leak during normal use, and the 10 year guarantee for batteries while in storage is deceptive, a class action claims.
topclassactions.com
MatBirch
Well-known member
pour a little Coke in there and let it sit for awhile...
FredWanaker
Well-known member
I had the same happen on a big 5 D cell maglite. The batteries also swell when they fail. I literally set it on an oak board and hit a 1" steel rod on the battery with a sledge and it would not come out, collapsing the end of the light. The problem with LED lights is that the battery can be mostly dead, swelling, and leaking, and the flashlight still works. We check the batteries monthly now which is a PITA but it seems the only way to stop that. The suits and bean counters have pretty much destroyed those guaranteed to work for 10 years statements. If they do warranty something they want so much paperwork that it is impossible to qualify. Usually it falls into a black hole, and a month later a letter comes back with a denial because you didn't send them what they asked for (which you did), and a phone number to appeal, which the call goes straight to a desk that no human sits at.
nadogail
Well-known member
This thread is telling a story that is counter to my personal experience with flashlights and Rayovac Batteries.
Rayovac batteries are not in this particular flashlight. All alkaline batteries can potentially leak but IME the Rayovac batteries seem to leak more often even when stored in the plastic battery pack it comes with.
Mr_fixit
Well-known member
sorry, i offer no help. I had at least 3 aluminum flashlights get thrown in the scrap pile for this reason. Some I got the batteries out , but the remaining corrosion would keep the new batteries from going in and coming out. What good is a flashlight if the batteries are corroded when you need it twice a year. Worst design ever. MAybe we should start a thread worst tool ever....
TonyG109
Well-known member
I don't have a suggestion on how to get stuck batteries out, but I will share a tale. I had an aluminum bodied flashlight that held two AA batteries. The batteries needed to be replaced but I couldn't get the end cap off. I gently secured the body in the vise, carefully twisted the cap off with pliers and POW! The end cap blew off with tremendous force! Apparently the batteries deteriorated, causing pressure to build up in the body. Luckily, the body was pointing straight up and I was standing off to the side. I didn't think something as innocent as changing batteries in a flashlight could require personal safety equipment!
If the batteries are leaking so bad they are stuck in place I consider the device a loss and toss it. Chances the device will work even if I get those old batteries out are near zero.
I try to store battery operated stuff that gets used infrequently without the batteries in place. I keep the batteries with the device, but not installed.
I try to store battery operated stuff that gets used infrequently without the batteries in place. I keep the batteries with the device, but not installed.
Never really thought about it but... would putting a light coat of dielectric grease inside the flashlight body and threads or on the battery keep the corrosion from seizing the batteries inside ?
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I may try that or some anti-seize next time to see if that helps to prevent the battery from seizing in the sealed barrel. Not sure what leaks out of alkaline batteries but it may be mildly caustic, corrosive. If it helps that would be great as the only downside is a bit messy battery replacement.
Bretny
Well-known member
Switch to 18650 lithium batteries. No leaking and last alot longer.
tool_scrounge
Well-known member
A couple of years ago Duracell bought me a new flashlight due to battery corrosion. They wanted the batch number off of the battery to confirm it was not counterfeit.
Enegerizer is now marketing ther batteries as not leanking like their competiton.
If you want a battery that will last 10 years in an emergency flashlight, consider the single use non-rechargeable lithium batteries. I have on only seen them in AA. But they have about 2x the capacity of an alkaline AA.
Enegerizer is now marketing ther batteries as not leanking like their competiton.
If you want a battery that will last 10 years in an emergency flashlight, consider the single use non-rechargeable lithium batteries. I have on only seen them in AA. But they have about 2x the capacity of an alkaline AA.
HenryAZ
MEMBER EMERITUS
He's talking about an AA flashlight, though I also love the larger lights that use the 18650 and 21700 batteries. For the AA light, switch to non-rechargeable AA lithium cells. They last longer, cost a bit more, and do not leak. Energizer as well as others make them, available on Amazon. I am using them in AA, AAA, and 9V.
fsae0607
Well-known member
I've written off Duracell forever. They've leaked on me so many times. You can save a device if you remove the leaking batteries, wash the electrolyte with isopropyl alcohol or QD Electronic Cleaner, wire brush/file the battery contacts clean of corrosion and final rinse with the IPA/QD cleaner.
I've been using Amazon Basics batteries for the past few years and no leakers *fingers crossed*.
I've been using Amazon Basics batteries for the past few years and no leakers *fingers crossed*.
DGersic
Well-known member
I got a new AA MagLite from Duracell, and a coupon for a new pack of AA Duracells.
Snapped-off
Well-known member
I've switched to energizer ultimate lithium for anything expensive (fluke) to anything that will sit for years with little use (some flashlights). The stuff that sees enough use to actually change the batteries I've been using the Amazon basics.
Probably not worth saving the light but good luck! Try the screw method.
Probably not worth saving the light but good luck! Try the screw method.
minke
Well-known member
I am under the impression that most anti-seize compounds contain metal particles and are conductive. (If anyone knows that I am wrong please make that clear!) Perhaps a dielectric grease might make sense.
How to Remove Corroded Batteries from a Flashlight – Step by Step Process
- Step 1: Remove the headpiece of the flashlight.
- Step 2: Fill the battery holder with vinegar and baking soda solution.
- Step 3: Cover the end with a tin foil.
- Step 4: Shake the battery holder.
- Step 5: Open the covering and let the materials come out.