Electronics > Repair
Blue Battery Acid Corrosion on Circuitry
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AquaSentinel:
For those interested here’s a working example:
https://youtu.be/kJjc68q9HkU
Kim Christensen:
Alkalines will erode metals. So eventually it'll cause broken connections once it completely eats through the wire lead and any other metals. It'll also be conductive and disrupt the circuitry.
What you could try is to carefully clean off the battery contacts with vinegar and water rinse without letting it wick down inside. Cotton swab method. Then briefly try a fresh battery to see if it still functions. It seems like it takes an odd battery size/type.
AquaSentinel:
I’ve already cleaned the terminals as best I can with vinegar. I think the problem is that it’s spread to the back of the circuit board. Can’t access it to see well or take a photo but it’s there.

Will the alkaline continue to spread without a battery source? Or will it just destroy what it’s already in contact with?

It takes AG13/LR44 which is the more common button cell for kids toys. Can’t remember if it was 2 or 3.

Thanks for all the advice Kim & Haenk!
Kim Christensen:
It might spread a bit more in a higher humidity environment, but nowhere near as much if the old batteries were still in there leaking.
You definitely want to clean the PCB if it's migrated to the back side. Looks like I can see it coming through the holes in the PCB. That'll destroy it, if it hasn't already:
BlownUpCapacitor:
I think putting vinegar on the PCB is the best option to neutralize the alkaline and then follow it up with a wash with distilled water. The chemical reaction between the acid and base will turn it into soluble salts. Let it dry under a fan for a couple hours then test.

Do the same with the other stuff like battery contacts to remove it all. Don't expose it to the plastic as the plastic may deteriorate.

Do only the PCB and the contacts. Mechanical parts may suffer damage.

This is how I fixed one of my multimeters with duraleak juice everywhere.
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