Arg! Help - battery stuck in old Inova X5

[MikeLip]

I have one of the first X5s, and it's in new condition. It's been riding in my crash kit in my trunk, and I checked it the other day. It lights dimly, and I can't get the bottom CR123 out.

The body is a closed end tube - the only thing that comes off is the head. No amount of rapping and tapping will get the battery to move.

I am tempted to put a hole in it and run a woodscrew into it to pull it out.

 

[thermal guy]

Did the same thing to an old mag of mine. Just carefully not to get all that junk from the battery on you.You might also try to warm it up a bit might expand the tube.

 

[Inferno]

Just be careful since it's a lithium cell in there... in any case, I had the same problem with my MAG-Lite; used an auger bit and pulled it right out! In your case, I think a long drywall screw should do the trick...

 

[MikeLip]

I wish I was still at Westinghouse - I'd do it under a fume hood. Oh well, I had a fume remover at work and I'll use that. Thanks!

 

[sabre7]

Any ideas how to get a D battery that has leaked out of a maglite? It seems permanently welded & no amount of pounding will budge it. Even hammering it with the blunt end of a chisel to loosen it had no effect. :sigh:

 

[karlthev]

I had a Mag years ago with leaked batteries. I couldn't even get the tail off until I used some less than delicate approaches---pipe wrenches--one on the tail and one on the body. The tail came off but I'm sure you can imagine what the light looked like. I wasn't able to dislodge the batteries however. I used a large diameter wood dowel and a hand sledge and rested the end of the tube on the side of a 2 X 4 and pounded for all I was worth but, at least in my case, it wouldn't budge. You may try the dowel "trick" and find it works for you but, I wouldn't bet on it.


Karl

 

[Derek Dean]

I just had this problem of a stuck leaky cell and solved it using a technique I read about here on CPF.

First I put a bit of hot water mixed with baking soda in the tube to help dissolve the corrosion a bit and used an old tooth brush to scrub what I could and then rinsed it out. After a few of those treatments I ran the outside of the tube under HOT tap water for a few minutes, to hopefully expand the outside of the tube away from the stuck cell.

Then I rapped it on the counter a few times and saw the cell move a bit..... so I continued these efforts a few more times and pretty soon it came out.

I dried everything out thoroughly and it works as good as new. Might be worth a try before drilling the cell, although that's a helpful tip to know too.

 

[brightnorm]

Have you tried using a long needle-nose pliers?

Brightnorm

 

[MikeLip]

I just had this problem of a stuck leaky cell and solved it using a technique I read about here on CPF.

First I put a bit of hot water mixed with baking soda in the tube to help dissolve the corrosion a bit and used an old tooth brush to scrub what I could and then rinsed it out. After a few of those treatments I ran the outside of the tube under HOT tap water for a few minutes, to hopefully expand the outside of the tube away from the stuck cell.

Then I rapped it on the counter a few times and saw the cell move a bit..... so I continued these efforts a few more times and pretty soon it came out.

I dried everything out thoroughly and it works as good as new. Might be worth a try before drilling the cell, although that's a helpful tip to know too.

Good thought - I'll try that!

 

[MikeLip]

Have you tried using a long needle-nose pliers?

Brightnorm

Since the negative (smooth) end is what is exposed, there is nothing to grab on to!

 

[Illum]

might seem a bit too extreme...but before you drill anything consider putting a drop of mixed epoxy on the rear of a ballpoint pen and try pulling it out after letting it dry on the end cap of the lithium cell??

 

[MikeLip]

might seem a bit too extreme...but before you drill anything consider putting a drop of mixed epoxy on the rear of a ballpoint pen and try pulling it out after letting it dry on the end cap of the lithium cell??

Another good idea. I'll try this first. Thanks!

 

[passive101]

Is putting liquid INSIDE the flashlight good for it?

 

[MikeLip]

Can't hurt it. It's just an aluminum tube.

 

[Illum]

Another good idea. I'll try this first. Thanks!

make sure not to put too much or you risk epoxying the cell in the tube:shakehead

 

[Mockingbird]

Umm...I have an Inova X5 and the batteries go in negative first on mine. Look inside the tailcap. If there is an X in the center, then you know what caused your problem in the first place. After trying the other suggestions, you might use penetrating oil to loosen the batteries. Give it some time to do it's thing. After the batteries come out, flush out the innards with WD 40.

 

[Nos]

argh happend to me too. i could throw the batterie out by swinging throught the air................. and with some oil :shrug:

 

[Illum]

if you want to keep the light but can't throughly polish the interior after the treatment...WD-40 is a bit harsh on the contacts since its only ~10% lubrication

 

[Nos]

argh happend to me too. i could throw the batterie out by swinging throught the air................. and with some oil :shrug: please dont do this next to your TV :naughty:

 

[orbital]

+
Tools needed:

I. Long bolt
II. Corresponding nut
III. Gorilla Glue

Make sure battery is CLEAN of oils ect...

What if you put a small amount of Gorilla Glue on a Nut connected to corresponding Screw lowering it down to battery.
(make damn sure you ONLY touch/connect the battery).
~A small amount of glue is key because if it oozes out onto side....game over.
Somehow brace the screw in place in X5 body so doesn't tip.

Let that sit overnight and hopefully you will be able to pull out cell.

This is all theory of course.

_____________________________________________

p.s. The wood screw deal would be my next try.