[Rangerfan]

Hi ive been collecting many power rangers toys the last few weeks. I'm buying a lot off eBay since I missed out on so many older toys. Mostly morphers to begin with. I do get some with rotting battery compartments. This scare the crap out of me. But after I tried new batteries they still work. Some started out weak but finally came back on. So now I'm worried they can die out in the future. I display them now and I do click on the sounds here and there to keep the electronics moving.
So what is the main cause of the leaking batteries or rotten battery dust inside the compartments?

Is it from not using the electronics for years? If I used them will it prevent this?

Is it just long storage from the sellers which I believe it is. But now that I have the gunk inside already. I guess I can try to scrape the leakage dust of with a toothpick.

[ZeoRangerV]

Batteries will corrode over time. The best way to avoid it is to simply not keep the batteries in them I guess.

[MST3KFan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeoRangerV

Batteries will corrode over time. The best way to avoid it is to simply not keep the batteries in them I guess.

I have a few toys from the 90s that still have batteries in them and still work. I worry about looking in the battery compartments to see how they look.

[Den-O]

Nothing you can do to prevent it other than simply not leaving batteries in there in the first place. It just happens over time, theres no way to stop it.

[schlagwerk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Den-O

Nothing you can do to prevent it other than simply not leaving batteries in there in the first place. It just happens over time, theres no way to stop it.

I've had toys that I left batteries in that went years and never corroded. I had a Gundam model that lit up with batteries and it corroded within 2 years.

I think environment and the quality of the batteries affect how likely it is to happen, but dunno the real science behind it. I just took to not storing toys with batteries still in them. Or not putting batteries in them at all since I'm not big on light and/or sound gimmicks.

[Rangerfan]

Yesi know the cheap batteries have a very high risk. I have a few I just put in from the dollar store. But I used the electronics for now. In the long term I will take them out for sure. Do you think using the electronics makes a difference?

[Brainchild]

There are a couple of things that cause battery leaks, between heat and corrosion of the terminal plates, so most batteries have a varying lifespan but all will eventually leak as they discharge. Basically, the system will begin to produce Hydrogen gas over time, which is sped up by excess heat. The gas increases the pressure inside the battery, and it triggers a fail-safe pressure seal in most batteries, which ruptures one of the terminals and causes Potassium Hydroxide to leak out of the battery. Between that and a small explosion, leakage is a much nicer option.

The best way to avoid damage to your devices is to check them often. If the batteries discharge, then take them out of the toy and dispose of them immediately. Don't mix different types of batteries, since one's mechanism may need to work faster to maintain the circuit and build up excess heat. Obviously, cheap batteries have thinner shells and can rupture more easily. A good rule of thumb is to just not have batteries in a toy unless you're actively using the electronics.