What the best to repair battery contacts

From: Tony Duell <ard_at_p850ug1.demon.co.uk>
Date: Fri May 21 18:55:13 2004

>
> I have several items (calculators, robots, Mac's, etc) that I'm trying to
> restore and the battery acid has eaten away the battery contacts. Anyone

Are you sure it's acid. NiCds and alkaline primary cells (Duracell, etc)
have an alkaline elecrolyte.

The first thing to do is neutralise any residues. A solution of citric
acid works on alkaline residues, I asusme sodium carbonate (washing soda)
solution works on acid residues.

> have a easy way or source to get new contacts to replace the damaged ones?

If you want the conincal spring type of contact, then I normally buy a
cheap battery holder, drill out the rivets and use the springs from that.
For flat metal contacts, I make them from metal stip from a model shop
(they were oriignally nickel plated, but plain brass works in most cases).

-tony
Received on Fri May 21 2004 - 18:55:13 BST