Hi All,
I've been a long time browser of the forums, on and off over the years. Thanks in advance for your collective help.
I got this beloved Maratac AAA (Natural Finish) Pocket Flashlight in February 2010. It's been a trusty companion for years. I've taken to multiple music festivals, camping trips, and vacations with it and it can't be bought anymore. I'd love to save it, especially since the head is seemingly entirely undamaged.
The title is self-explanatory but I'll share more details and what I've tried so far.
I made the mistake of putting a cheap IKEA AAA battery into this light about half a year ago. I hadn't really used it much lately as we haven't traveled much this year yet. I'll never use an IKEA battery again!
Here's what it looks like assembled and seemingly ready for use.
Here's what the inside actually looks like!
I searched the forums and this is what I've tried, in order.
1) Soak in vinegar for 20 minutes.
2) Soak in vinegar, followed by baking soda, for 20 minutes.
3) Took needle nose pliers to the positive end and pulled as hard as I could. The positive tip started to break down.
4) Drilled a small hole in the top. Screwed in a thick wood screw. Pulled as hard as I could with pliers. Wood screw came out even after screwing it in a good 3/4".
5) Took a thick nail and hammered between the battery and the inner wall of the body. Collapsed the battery in on itself and gave myself a good hunk of metal to grab and pull with needle nose pliers. Battery started coming apart in my plier grips. Bits of metal, sand like substance, paper all coming out in the grips but not moving the body of the battery.
6) Put in freezer for an hour.
7) Filled with CLR for 30 min.
8) Going to try soaking in Coke tonight after I get some from the supermarket.
I'd really like to save this flashlight. I've looked online and I can't find a replacement body on eBay or CountyComm. I supposed I could buy a new Maratac with a different color body and save the head but I'd like to keep this body if I could.
I imagine it got stuck sometime between the end of April and now, which is when I last changed the battery. Somebody here mentioned a kinetic bullet puller but no details on how to use it and I don't have one.
Any helpful thoughts or anyone want to take a crack at removing the battery?
Apologies if I've missed a method or not read enough threads.
Thanks!
I've been a long time browser of the forums, on and off over the years. Thanks in advance for your collective help.
I got this beloved Maratac AAA (Natural Finish) Pocket Flashlight in February 2010. It's been a trusty companion for years. I've taken to multiple music festivals, camping trips, and vacations with it and it can't be bought anymore. I'd love to save it, especially since the head is seemingly entirely undamaged.
The title is self-explanatory but I'll share more details and what I've tried so far.
I made the mistake of putting a cheap IKEA AAA battery into this light about half a year ago. I hadn't really used it much lately as we haven't traveled much this year yet. I'll never use an IKEA battery again!
Here's what it looks like assembled and seemingly ready for use.
Here's what the inside actually looks like!
I searched the forums and this is what I've tried, in order.
1) Soak in vinegar for 20 minutes.
2) Soak in vinegar, followed by baking soda, for 20 minutes.
3) Took needle nose pliers to the positive end and pulled as hard as I could. The positive tip started to break down.
4) Drilled a small hole in the top. Screwed in a thick wood screw. Pulled as hard as I could with pliers. Wood screw came out even after screwing it in a good 3/4".
5) Took a thick nail and hammered between the battery and the inner wall of the body. Collapsed the battery in on itself and gave myself a good hunk of metal to grab and pull with needle nose pliers. Battery started coming apart in my plier grips. Bits of metal, sand like substance, paper all coming out in the grips but not moving the body of the battery.
6) Put in freezer for an hour.
7) Filled with CLR for 30 min.
8) Going to try soaking in Coke tonight after I get some from the supermarket.
I'd really like to save this flashlight. I've looked online and I can't find a replacement body on eBay or CountyComm. I supposed I could buy a new Maratac with a different color body and save the head but I'd like to keep this body if I could.
I imagine it got stuck sometime between the end of April and now, which is when I last changed the battery. Somebody here mentioned a kinetic bullet puller but no details on how to use it and I don't have one.
Any helpful thoughts or anyone want to take a crack at removing the battery?
Apologies if I've missed a method or not read enough threads.
Thanks!