Battery contact cleaner/solvent

[Lala81]

My wired doorbell stopped working, swapped batteries but couldn't work as well.

Noticed some blue residue covering the battery holder terminal contacts. Cleared as much of it possible off with a toothpick but the doorbell still doesn't work.

 

Any recommendation for household solvents/cleaners to clean these contacts? If not have to give up on the doorbell.

[Etnt]

My wired doorbell stopped working, swapped batteries but couldn't work as well.

Noticed some blue residue covering the battery holder terminal contacts. Cleared as much of it possible off with a toothpick but the doorbell still doesn't work.

 

Any recommendation for household solvents/cleaners to clean these contacts? If not have to give up on the doorbell.

https://mrjackie.wordpress.com/2010/03/09/jackie-spray-60-contact-cleaner/

 

Should be able to get at homefix/self-fix.

[Mcf777]

maybe can use zippo lighter fluid and a toothbrush to clean it.

 

always saw those mobile shop guys using it when they repair handphones

[Ender]

Can try using IPA from your clinic to clean first before buying.

[Lala81]

Can try using IPA from your clinic to clean first before buying.

 

lol i only have alcohol swab, can meh?

hmmm no harm trying.

 

Edited September 14, 2015 by Lala81

[Ender]

 

lol i only have alcohol swab, can meh?

hmmm no harm trying.

 

For light stains, IPA or alcohol should work. We use IPA in our lab extensively for electrical parts. Get contact cleaner if you need it to be stronger.

[Mustank]

My wired doorbell stopped working, swapped batteries but couldn't work as well.

Noticed some blue residue covering the battery holder terminal contacts. Cleared as much of it possible off with a toothpick but the doorbell still doesn't work.

 

Any recommendation for household solvents/cleaners to clean these contacts? If not have to give up on the doorbell.

 

no need alcohol one

 

all you need is a small flat tip screwdriver

use the tip to scrap off the blue residue at the part where the battery comes into contact with the spring

if you got a small file, it will be better than a flat tip screw driver

once the metal part is exposed again

you put in new battery, preferably rechargeable ones

if can work, means ok,

if cannot, buy new

 

how come I know? I do quite a few times liao

now any bigger ticket items, I use only rechargeable batteries

cannot afford to have spoil stuff around the house

waste money

[Lala81]

It's hard for me to describe without the proper terminology but it's a trampoline spring contact (like those the gymnast use to jump over the vault). However it's a small contact and the opening is not facing outwards, it's actually facing inwards so you can't scrape the lower part of the contact

Was actually thinking of soaking the thing in some solvent to see if it works, cos physically i don't think can improve much. the visible parts are already acceptably clean

 

This one installed by my ID, it's out of sight, so out of mind.

Most stuff in my house is on rechargeables. Same logic as u.

 

 

no need alcohol one

 

all you need is a small flat tip screwdriver

use the tip to scrap off the blue residue at the part where the battery comes into contact with the spring

if you got a small file, it will be better than a flat tip screw driver

once the metal part is exposed again

you put in new battery, preferably rechargeable ones

if can work, means ok,

if cannot, buy new

 

how come I know? I do quite a few times liao

now any bigger ticket items, I use only rechargeable batteries

cannot afford to have spoil stuff around the house

waste money

 

[Kb27]

If it's due to alkaline battery, you need acid to neutralize.

Cheap and easily available acid is vinegar.

[Mustank]

It's hard for me to describe without the proper terminology but it's a trampoline spring contact (like those the gymnast use to jump over the vault). However it's a small contact and the opening is not facing outwards, it's actually facing inwards so you can't scrape the lower part of the contact

Was actually thinking of soaking the thing in some solvent to see if it works, cos physically i don't think can improve much. the visible parts are already acceptably clean

 

This one installed by my ID, it's out of sight, so out of mind.

Most stuff in my house is on rechargeables. Same logic as u.

 

 

 

if cannot access the contact point, then is troublesome liao

probably got to buy new one liao

[Lala81]

If it's due to alkaline battery, you need acid to neutralize.

Cheap and easily available acid is vinegar.

 

Ah ok. Have some at home. Haha will try everything.

 

Actually it's not the brownish caramel stuff that u see from typical leaking batteries. This one is some blue powdery material.

[Kb27]

 

Ah ok. Have some at home. Haha will try everything.

 

Actually it's not the brownish caramel stuff that u see from typical leaking batteries. This one is some blue powdery material.

 

Blue powder is due to copper salt, copper is from the wire.

Vinegar will neutralize and clean up the salt.

 

On the other hand, if you see blue/white powder on your car battery terminals, it's an acidic battery, you'll need akali to clean. This can done with a mixture of baking soda and water.

[Etnt]

That's why I recommend the contact cleaner, juz spray and let it airdry, chop chop curry pok.

 

Last time I use it to clean MAF sensor, juz spray spray gao tim, no need scrape here rub there.

[Lala81]

 

Blue powder is due to copper salt, copper is from the wire.

Vinegar will neutralize and clean up the salt.

 

On the other hand, if you see blue/white powder on your car battery terminals, it's an acidic battery, you'll need akali to clean. This can done with a mixture of baking soda and water.

 

Thanks for your help!

That's why I recommend the contact cleaner, juz spray and let it airdry, chop chop curry pok.

 

Last time I use it to clean MAF sensor, juz spray spray gao tim, no need scrape here rub there.

Gam xia!

[Porker]

My wired doorbell stopped working, swapped batteries but couldn't work as well.

Noticed some blue residue covering the battery holder terminal contacts. Cleared as much of it possible off with a toothpick but the doorbell still doesn't work.

 

Any recommendation for household solvents/cleaners to clean these contacts? If not have to give up on the doorbell.

Must be copper II sulphate. Just swipe it with some acid and it should remove the crystals

[Stratovarius]

 

no need alcohol one

 

all you need is a small flat tip screwdriver

use the tip to scrap off the blue residue at the part where the battery comes into contact with the spring

if you got a small file, it will be better than a flat tip screw driver

once the metal part is exposed again

you put in new battery, preferably rechargeable ones

if can work, means ok,

if cannot, buy new

 

how come I know? I do quite a few times liao

now any bigger ticket items, I use only rechargeable batteries

cannot afford to have spoil stuff around the house

waste money

Same as me. I will use a screwdriver to scrape the surface. Scrapping will remove residue or oxidized surface which is common for battery contact issue. If things still don't work then is probably the internal wires or circuit board.

[Mustank]

Same as me. I will use a screwdriver to scrape the surface. Scrapping will remove residue or oxidized surface which is common for battery contact issue. If things still don't work then is probably the internal wires or circuit board.

I also got buy contact cleaner

Very useful

Saved 2 times my truck aircon switch, 40d dslr, toys, amp volume switch and many more!

[FastFixer]

Actually the bluish stuff is Copper Sulphate as pointed out in an earlier post.

The easiest way to fix this is to use a "Baking Soda Mix".

 

Detailed info is here:

 

Why is My Battery Terminal Head Corroded? What is the Bluish Substance? Battery terminal head corrosion happens when the electrolyte (sulphuric acid) in the battery makes it way out of the battery due to leaks or joints over extended time (years). This is not something uncommon and affects car batteries from all brands.  Luckily it can be easily fixed (before battery fails). To clean up the substance, spray a baking soda mix (1 part baking soda, 5 parts water) on the terminal head. The copper sulphate will dissolve and you can brush it away with a metal brush. The bluish substance is actually copper sulphate which is formed when sulphuric acid comes in contact with lower grade copper battery terminal rings that are not alloy plated

 

Information is culled from http://www.fastfix.com.sg/car-battery-general-FAQ/about-car-battery/