Arc AAA battery leak survival

[Jmora]

I'm not a flashlight expert, but bought an Arclite AAA in November last year. Worked great. today I randomly decided to tip out the battery from it, it was stuck in there, I banged it on my desk and the battery came out covered in powder, it had leaked. I was worried that it had ruined the torch, but I cleaned it out and added a new battery and it was okay. I think it had been like that for a while, as the top had to be twisted a lot to turn the torch on.
Anyway, surviving such a leak is pretty impressive, in my experience, that tends to kill electronic products. 

[Gareth]

very glad to hear it survived.   You might want to think about rechargeable batteries though to avoid any possible leaking problems in the future.

[AHB]

Yes that's good news.. Actually I didn't know rechargeable batteries don't leak, so thanks for the info Gareth.

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[jzmtl]

Depends how often you use it, it's probably easier to just buy a pack of lithium AAA to use. I use them in my key chain light, but I don't use it often as I usually have other bigger lights on me.

[powernoodle]

I don't know if its recommended, but I use WD-40 on a Q-tip to clean up those leaks, after first whittling the white stuff and blowing away as much residue as I can.

[Sazabi]

Yes that's good news.. Actually I didn't know rechargeable batteries don't leak, so thanks for the info Gareth.

Sent from my HTC using Tapatalk

I technically had an Eneloop leak on me once; killed the battery, but not the light, thankfully. :/

[Chain Gang]

I got rid of all my old rechargeable batteries and replaced with Sanyo Eneloops.They will hold 70-80% of their charge for a year of non use..I have never had an Eneloop leak in the two years I have been using them.I'm not saying they won't leak so it's a good idea to take them out for a visible check every once in awhile.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

The electronics on the Arc series are potted to prevent acid or water getting to them, and the inside of the Arc tube has a chemical treatment called Chemcote and stainless steel contacts, so it's pretty bullet proof

And go for a lithium or eneloop battery mate, as there just fit and forget unlike alkalines

[Jmora]

thanks for all the info guys,  I'll see what sort of batteries I can find at my local electronics store - they seem to have a good selection.

[Sean]

Yup, and if you can't find enloops, duracel has a rebranded cel that we commonly
refer to as duraloops and they are the precharged, white top cels that are
wonderful little performers.

[Sazabi]

Yup, and if you can't find enloops, duracel has a rebranded cel that we commonly
refer to as duraloops and they are the precharged, white top cels that are
wonderful little performers.

Just make certain the positive ring's color is white; some cells I've seen in stores have black, gold, or a grey-white color for the cheaper Chinese made pre-charged batteries, which are NOT Duraloops.

[Mike C]

So glad it survived, you were lucky as i have had a few torches where cheap batteries have leaked, if your not using them its best to remove the batteries, also invest in a hobby tool such as a dremel, these have little grinding an sanding wheels that are great to clean battery contacts an switches of some lamps after such battery leakage, mine is a cheap hobby tool but it does the job. those chinese cheap batteries with thin cases are known to leak, i baught a Pifco nursery lamp which had those flying bomb batteries inside which had leaked, i to managed to save the lamp an it works now, it took a while though, sadly though not all can be saved. Im pleased yours came right in the end.

[nuphoria]

Lucky escape.

I agree with the eneloop or lithium regime too.... so far so good

[sotto]

I've had several ARC lights. My latest ARC AAA Premium that I've had for a couple years just started to act up. After turning it on, it glows brightly for 30 seconds or so, then starts flickering, and then goes out. After a bit, when I turn it back on, it goes through the same performance. I'm going to try sending it back to ARC to check on their lifetime warranty.

[space cowboy]

Before you send it in I would take the head off & put a pencil eraser in the doughnut hole & twist it several times. I bet it comes out black on the tip of the eraser. Also, put baking soda in the tube & let it sit for about 30 minutes. Its possible you might have one of the few duds of the many that Arc produces.

[sotto]

Thanks, Space Cowboy, but as I mentioned in my post the light comes on reliably and glows very brightly (perhaps abnormally so) for about 25-30 seconds, then flickers and goes out. I've physically cleaned the contacts just to be sure. So, I think it's part of the electronics that have gone south (regulator?).

[space cowboy]

Yep...sounds defective. They should take care of it for you. Its very rare that these lights give problems. I think I have read only 2 posts in the last 5 years were they had defective Arc AAA's.