Leaky Batteries (was: Lisa 2/5 Startup Problems)

From: David H Quackenbush <dhq_at_juno.com>
Date: Wed Sep 17 07:25:50 1997

On Tue, 16 Sep 1997 23:40:01 -0700 Marvin <marvin_at_rain.org> writes:
>Zane H. Healy wrote:
>
>> >Once the batteries start to corrode and leak, the area needs to be
>> cleaned
>> >AND neutralized with something acidic in order to prevent problems
>later
>>
>> This might be a stupid question, but would Baking Soda work for
>this? I
>> used to work as an Electrician, and had to deal with an UPS that
>used lead
>>
>> acid batteries, we always used Baking Soda to neutralize the acid.
>Maybe
>> I'm totally off center on this one, wouldn't surprise me.
>>
>> In any case where can one find Muriatic Acid? It's not one of the
>Acid's
>> I've heard of.
>
>Muriatic Acid is commonly used for ph adjustment on swimming pools and
>at
>least out here in California, we can get it at the larger hardware
>stores.
>I've also used some type of liquid flux that was used in plumbing work
>that
>was mostly Muriatic Acid and it seemed to work well. Also, Muriatic
>Acid is
>just a 33% dilution of Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) according to the labels
>I've
>read. I might add that a couple of ounces of the stuff lasted me about
>5
>years.
>
>Since the residue from the batterys is alkaline in nature, Baking Soda
>wouldn't work as it is also somewhat alkaline.
>
>
Hi,
 You might also want to try a product like "CLR" (calcium, lime and rust
remover), it and products like it contain glycolic and phosphoric acids.
It works a little slower than Muiratic acid, but it's much safer. BTW:
Phosphoric acid finds its' way into many of our food products from cola
drinks to bread.

 Regards,
    David Quackenbush
      dhq_at_juno.com
Received on Wed Sep 17 1997 - 07:25:50 BST