How to remove stuck battery from mag-lite
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- čas přidán 7. 08. 2018
- This is the easiest way I have found to remove a stuck battery from a mag-lite flashlight. If you do not have a lag bolt long enough to reach the battery tie a wire to the screw and use a long screwdriver or socket extension to puncture the battery so you have something to pull on. The liquid is a base potassium hydroxide so neutralize with an acid like white vinegar.
- Jak na to + styl
Best description so far, short, precise, no blabla, thanks alot!
Thank you for this video. I had the front end battery (HP2) solid and corroded and I did your trick buy drilling into the cell, using your method which drew it up nearer and I finally removed with a corkscrew. It wasn't a Maglite but another make but with an aluminium body. I didn't want to lose the torch because it had a 10W Cree LED.
Thank you for this very simple way of removing stuck batteries.
I used vinegar for a soak, rinsed with water, then WD-40, and ran the edge of a steak knife around the battery, and got it to move. Always open your Maglight monthly to release any gases that leak from the batteries. The best plan is to store batteries in a zip lock bag and assemble when needed.
Wiggling the battery with a long screwdriver in a pool of vinegar, worked for me.
About 30 years ago I bought two Maglight 3 D cell flashlights. All 3 cells imploded in one of them more than 25 years ago and I threw it in a box in my garage then. I had totally forgotten about it, last week I came across it as I was looking for something else. I tried all the methods I saw on CZcams…first filled it with oil and baking soda and waited a few days, then tried to extract it with a screw like in this video but after so many years the batteries were so badly fused to the aluminum tube that they didn’t budge.
I have a heavy-duty lathe in my garage…I drilled a center hole and simply bored out all the junk in the aluminum tube. The switch assembly doesn’t come out but it works fine.
Good solution, good explanation. Better than any others I have seen. Thank you!
Thanks for posting this method of using gradual reverse pressure from the screwing against plate. I put a screw tied to shoelace and broke shoelace. Nothing budging grabbing screw with long needle nose pliers. Will try with lag bolt. I already had soaked in vinegar.
The switch will come out of the front fairly easily. It's held in place with a snap ring. To remove the snap ring first remove the rubber switch cover. If you have an old flashlight use a 2mm hex wrench to loosen the set screw 3 or 4 turns. If you have rhe newer flashlight it's a T8 torx. Problem is most T8 torx drivers have a shaft that is to thick to go inside the hole on the switch so biy a cheap one from Harbor Freight and grind the shaft down until it fits. I used a bench grinder but a dremel, or handheld grinder would work. Once the driver fits the hole then back off the set screw 3 or 4 turns.
Remove the bulb. Once the set screw has been loosened push in on the bulb holder. It should push down st least an 1/8th of an inch or more. While pushing down on the bulb holder retighten the set screw to hold the switch down. Then use a small pick or small flat screwdriver to pry one end of the clip from the groove. Its easier to pry it up put of the groove with a pick and then push it down. Then move to the other side of the clip and pry it out and up. The snap ring will come flying out and land across the room. Then loosen the set screw 3 or 4 turns. Push in on the switch button while pushing forward and the switch assembly will slide right out of the front.
If its stuck batteries get a piece of broom handle, pvc pipe, metal pipe, or a 1/2" drive extension. Place one end of the flashlight tube on a block of wood. Drop you choice of wood, pipe, or socket extension into the tube against the battery and beat the monkey snot out of it.
If that doesn't work then get a spade bit, forstner bit, or even a hole saw and drill all the way through the batteries that are stuck. Then pry of the remaining part of the battery case. I use a brake hone to ckean up the tube after I get the batteries out. Neutralize the acid. Then I convert the flashlight over to 18650 lithium batteries that don't leak with an LED bulb.
Thanks! Lots of good tips in that write up. I didn’t know you could convert them to 18650s I’ll have to look into that for sure!
So the switch will pass all the corrosion inside the tube?
If people wish to first try banging the flashlight to dislodge batteries:
To avoid damage to the threaded end where the screw cap fits, remove the spring & spare bulb from the screw cap then fully screw it back onto the flashlight. Then you can vertically tap/bash the end onto a hard surface. Hint: A folded towel on the hard surface will help prevent damaging the finish on the screw cap. If the batteries aren't too far corroded, they should dislodge.
Dude, Like a corkscrew. Sometimes, other measures will be needed. For instance, fatter units (D-cell) and longer torches (3-7 batts). Try manually dislodging the batteries by "excavating" them with small form spatula instruments ,(preferably, non-metal...but use what you need to preserve the torch). Sometimes, you will need to neutralise the batteries; a solution of baking soda in water will work. A better bet is to drop some oil (penetrating is best) into the aluminum tube. Use something to insert between the battery case and the inside of the flashlight housing. Anything that can be inserted works; think plastic knife or paper towel core. Sometimes, really long calipers or forceps work. Importantly, completely clean the inside of the tube after extraction. Use detergent to remove any oils and clean contacts with mildly acidic
solvents. Rinse thoroughly with water and allow the entire apparatus to dry. Generally, for several days in a warm place.
thanks, my brother.
Obrigado amigo , estou exatamente com esse problema , porem a oxidação é bem maior , acho que vou perder minha maglite de 4 pilhas , mas obrigado pelo video , abraço
THANX FOR BEING BRIEF AND TO THE POINT SIR OR IN OTHER WORDS NOT RAMBLIN ON IN DEPTH 😉👍👍
Vinegar is acetic acid.
Men u the best
Thanks for the advise. The aluminum can be damaged very easily, as I have ruined others by banging on the table too hard. For a moment I thought it was my wife's head and came down too hard!
Good idea! What if you can't even get the cap off though?
I'm having this problem too - I left mine for a year or so and then couldn't get the cap off, and it's been a few years since then.
you lucky, i have 3 stacked battery.
I shredded the first one (i used scissors for metal and pliers) and now there are two more left in the depths
Why would you use an acid like vinegar to neutralize battery acid? Why not use a base such as water and baking soda instead?
It’s an alkaline acid and what the manufacture recommends. Baking soda and water is great for lead batteries like your car. www.energizer.com/about-batteries/what-is-battery-acid
Because it is an ALKALINE battery. Alkaline = base. Neutralize a base with acid. Not the same principle as a lead/ACID battery in your car. There it would be appropriate to neutralize with baking soda (base).
My batteries are so stuck that even a very course and fairly large diameter screw threaded into the battery about and inch and a half will pull out of the battery not even budging the battery.
Didn't work for me. The batteries are just too jammed up in there.
Dollar tree batteries are bad for this
First comment suck it