Battery cleaning question

[NCC]

How do y'all clean that tiny groove between the thread cylinder and the center contact? I mean, it really is a tight fit.

I found I can use a piece of fine spring steel wire I use at work, and then spray liberally with electrical contact cleaner. But, wondering what anyone else uses to get the gunk out of there.

 

[krazie_Kid]

Do you have an auto or manual?

 

[NCC]

Sorry, I didn't know it would make a difference. I have manuals.


By the way, that spring steel wire is just barely small enough to also poke through the air holes around the base of the threading ... barely, but it works.

 

[krazie_Kid]

Ok you have a manual, poor some rubbing alchoal into a shot glass, do not make it go above the button and let it sit in for a minute or 2. That should break the gunk up, if not try a little longer.

 

[NCC]

Rubbing alcohol is denatured ethanol. I'm guessing isopropyl should do the trick as well and I have access to 99% isopropyl at work. Also, as mentioned in post #1, electrical contact cleaner.

Does the alcohol soaking completely dissolve the gunk? Or, do you then follow up with some other means to remove the loosened gunk?

 

[Adrenalynn]

NCC electrical contact cleaner is fine. Just, of course, make sure to let it full evaporate off before use.

I use a small pipe cleaner to clean that area. I use a quilting needle for the holes. I force the gunk into the slot you're referring to from the holes, then "scoop it up" with the pipe-cleaner. The center shaft will flex a bit as you're cleaning. I haven't seen any sign of stress-fracturing from any of mine, so I'm not that concerned about it, given the service life of these batteries.

 

[thelook]

Looks like I am doing it all wrong, I have just been using a soft toothbrush and rubbing alcohol....

 

[Adrenalynn]

Soft toothbrush will work too, but less efficiently since it will tend to just shove the gunk around rather than picking it all up.

 

[thelook]

Makes sense.
Thank you, I will be grabbing some pipe cleaners soon!

 

[Adrenalynn]

They make a kind of "mini pipe cleaner" which works well. I get them by the quidzillion from one of the electronics supply houses, but I imagine a full-sized pipe cleaner will work too.

 

[NCC]

They make a kind of "mini pipe cleaner" which works well. I get them by the quidzillion from one of the electronics supply houses, but I imagine a full-sized pipe cleaner will work too.

It's hard to imagine a pipe cleaner fitting into that groove.

I would be interested in where those "mini pipe cleaners" are available. The ones I remember my father using for his pipe would be way too large. TIA


On the other hand, that wire I have at hand on the job works. But, a pipe cleaner might do a better job if one could be had which was tiny enough to do the trick.

 

[Adrenalynn]

Traditional pipe cleaners work fine. Just tested myself, and there are several videos out there of same.

 

[mmcall12]

Look in the party/craft section at wal-mart,,, hardware store don't carry them.

 

[Madame X]

I actually use a small paperclip or staple - I just unbend them, poke the holes, and then scoop the goop. Does anyone know if it's a good idea or a bad idea to try to stick something down the very very center hole to clean (or try to clean, at least) - am I in danger of damaging the battery when I do that (I'm pretty careful), or is it harmless?

 

[mmcall12]

When do you know when it needs a cleaning,,or do you maybe do it every so often. Like even without seeing the stuff can you do it like monthly or every 3 months. I would like to do it before the gunk gets on there.

 

[geeker]

A toothpick works great for scraping goop out. It kind of frays and make a little brush when pressure is applied.

All rubbing alcohol I have seen is isopropyl, not ethyl.
Either will work.

 

[Cyrus Vap]

Traditional pipe cleaners work fine. Just tested myself, and there are several videos out there of same.

Would you mind directing me to some of these videos? Can't seem to find any...

And where do you get your mini pipe cleaners from?

TIA

Cyrus

 

[katz-in-boots]

Are we sure it isn't Halloween?

'Sorry Cyrus Vap, if a thread is more than 12 months old, it is definitely considered a zombie around these parts

May I point you in the direction of some of Snowdragon's excellent videos on cleaning batteries - no pipe-cleaners required, mini or otherwise Sorry I don't have the link close to hand, perhaps someone else can help with that?

 

[SnowDragon]

Funny when you look at the replies.....of which #7 & #16 are absolutely correct. Funny how the post seemed to simply dismiss those responses completely. As well, I guess mmcall had only been on the forum for 2 months so she apparently didn't deserve an answer to her question. Mini pipe cleaners indeed.....wow..amazing. I joined the forum about a month after this post, eye-opening isn't it?

I sent a pm to Cyrus Vap...with a link.