Battery sealed in my E01 - Options?

[outofgum]

So I've had an E01 for about a year. Its an emergency light so it doesn't see all that much use. About a month ago it took it for a test and it was weak. I tried to change the battery and upon opening the light I found that the battery was totally corroded and essential sealed inside the tube.

This thing is really in there. At first I just tried smacking the end of the light onto a towel, that did nothing. Then I went at it with pliers and that just mangled the AAA head.

So I'm just wondering what my options are. I've thought of driving a screw into the battery and pulling it out like that, but I don't like messing with the insides of alkalines. Also considered drilling a hole in the other side to push it out. Or can I get a new tube from Fenix? Any suggestions / courses of action appreciated.

 

[Marduke]

I would drill a small hole, thread in a wood screw, and CAREFULLY pull it out. Drill slow and wear safety goggles. After it's out, clean out the tube (there are alkaline cleanup instructions elsewhere), and see if the light still works.

And I HIGHLY suggest that emergency lights be loaded with lithium primaries, NEVER alkaline cells.

 

[Sgt. LED]

That's good advice. If it's really really bad you might want to soak it first.

 

[Penguin]

if the battery manufacturer has a warranty, they should be able to replace the E01

-Josh

 

[jhc37013]

May I ask what brand battery it was and how long you have had it in there.

 

[outofgum]

I'm not sure what battery brand. It was in there for about 10 months and seeing intermittent use.

What should I soak it in?

I was thinking of just forcing a steel screw into the head then attaching a string and pulling it out. Bad idea? If I find out the manufacturer I'm definitely going for a refund.

 

[Marduke]

If you don't drill a pilot hole, the screw going in might be enough to increase the pressure of the cell against the side of the light, making it even harder to pull out.

It could work, It just depends on how compressible the guts of the cell is. I would drill a 1/16" pilot hole and thread a 1/8" wood or long sheet metal screw.

 

[AusKipper]

I dont really know how "magnetic" batteries are, but you could try a good strong rare earth magnet or something to try and drag it out that way.

I doubt it would work, but you could try...

Regards,
Kipper

 

[mossyoak]

If you don't drill a pilot hole, the screw going in might be enough to increase the pressure of the cell against the side of the light, making it even harder to pull out.

It could work, It just depends on how compressible the guts of the cell is. I would drill a 1/16" pilot hole and thread a 1/8" wood or long sheet metal screw.

thats the best course of action, and for emergency lights, always use lithium PRIMARIES.

 

[hyperloop]

oh man, that sucks, had the same thing happen to me, didn't consider drilling a hole but i sent it back to the dealer i bought it from and got myself another one while he took a look at the first one, he told me that it had fused with the body and was a total loss.

i now use lithium primaries in it (tempted to try a 10440 though )

 

[kramer5150]

thats the best course of action, and for emergency lights, always use lithium PRIMARIES.

Eneloops are another good alternative.

IIRC Duracell and Energizer will both refund you the full $ amount for anything their craptacular alkalines destroy.

Just yesterday I had a Kirkland AA (Duracell rebrand) leak its guts all over my keyboard!! It wasn't even installed in anything, maybe 10 minutes use in my L1T (for obvious reasons I don't leave it in the light). I hadn't even noticed, till I bumped the thing. The gutts from the battery ate the paint off my keyboard.

 

[mossyoak]

Eneloops are another good alternative.

why risk the self discharge of a rechargable? true it might come out a little cheaper in the long run, but its an emergency light, make it as fail proof as you can

 

[Benson]

why risk the self discharge of a rechargable? true it might come out a little cheaper in the long run, but its an emergency light, make it as fail proof as you can

It's an emergency light -- you ought to be checking it once a year anyway! :nana:

I do understand the argument for Li batteries, and I'd actually agree for some "emergency light" roles (fallout-shelter, sealed waterproof kit, or similar roles that see no use) -- but the benefit of rechargeables in a light that's used infrequently (but is used occasionally) is that you can recharge it after each use, and if you additionally recharge and test it once a year, you know it's always at least 80% charged. With a primary, you either replace it after each use, or risk letting it run low -- a whole bunch of brief uses can add up without realizing it.

 

[kramer5150]

It's an emergency light -- you ought to be checking it once a year anyway! :nana:

I do understand the argument for Li batteries, and I'd actually agree for some "emergency light" roles (fallout-shelter, sealed waterproof kit, or similar roles that see no use) -- but the benefit of rechargeables in a light that's used infrequently (but is used occasionally) is that you can recharge it after each use, and if you additionally recharge and test it once a year, you know it's always at least 80% charged. With a primary, you either replace it after each use, or risk letting it run low -- a whole bunch of brief uses can add up without realizing it.

my thoughts exactly... plus It takes several months to a year (at least) to even partially self discharge eneloops.

 

[led4me]

Slightly off topic but hope it is okay. I tend to feed my E01 with old batteries since it makes enough light to navigate indoors at night and not disturb others who are asleep. So, is there a certain low voltage level where alkalines will tend to leak? I'm just wondering what is a good balance between using up every drop of energy and avoiding a leaking alkaline battery mishap.

 

[JBorneu]

Put it in a glass of water with a tablespoon of baking soda in it. The baking soda neutralizes the acidic chemicals from the alkaline cell. When it's no longer bubbling the cell will come out a whole lot easier.

 

[Marduke]

Slightly off topic but hope it is okay. I tend to feed my E01 with old batteries since it makes enough light to navigate indoors at night and not disturb others who are asleep. So, is there a certain low voltage level where alkalines will tend to leak? I'm just wondering what is a good balance between using up every drop of energy and avoiding a leaking alkaline battery mishap.

Although there is probably a tipping point where they are more likely to leak, they can leak at ANY voltage. That is one reason why most CPF'ers shun them at any cost. Running a premium light on junk cells just doesn't make sense, especially when the junk cells are MUCH more expensive than using the better performing rechargeables.

 

[BBnet3000]

this is why NIMH low self discharge cells exist.

after a year (as long as you left your light), an eneloop is supposed to be at 80% of full charge.

at the very least if you want to use a primary, lithiums have a 10 year shelf life

id drill into the battery, as much as it takes. whats inside isnt particularly harmful, you can get it on your hands (but wash them afterward). whoever recommended goggle was right though, you certainly wouldnt want to get it in your eyes.

 

[GarageBoy]

carefully epoxy a screw to it and yank?

 

[outofgum]

I like garageboy's idea. So I'm going to do a combo. Soak in baking soda and water, then put a gob of epoxy on the battery, attach a screw, let it set and see if I can drag it out. I think there is a good chance that the body is fused though.

Any idea whether I could get a new tube from fenix if it doesn't work? I think I got it through 4sevens.