Had a battery go splodey in a flashlight

[rightisright]

I just tried to fire up my Nitecore EA4W to no avail.

I took the tail cap off, three batteries came out but this guy didn't want to:

nitecore.jpg

It's a Rayovac AA that leaked rather heavily and the battery is locked in place. The bezel on this light does not come off so I am hesitant to use a baking soda/water slurry to remove the acid. It's a decent $60 light, so before I go caveman on it does anyone have any other ideas?

[Highspeed]

There should be a little clearance between the end of the battery and the case, provided by the contact it rests on. Make a tool to hook it out.

A length of wire coathanger bent at 90 degrees, with the hooked part slimmed down with a file should get you good to go.

[rightisright]

Tried that w. a beefed up dental-style hook. I got some pretty good leverage but that thing is stuck!

[First Shirt]

Have you tried running a wood screw down into it, and using that to pull it out? I've had moderate success with that method in the past.

[rightisright]

WD-40 to the rescue. I sprayed it in w. the flashlight held bulb up and let it sit for a few minutes. It didn't dissolve the acid, but lubed up the binding enough for the bulked up dental pick to remove the battery. Now I will mix up a paste of baking soda and scrub the crap off w. an old toothbrush while holding the light upside down.

And this is why I always keep at least 2 flashlights in all my vehicles.

[308Mike]

WD-40 to the rescue. I sprayed it in w. the flashlight held bulb up and let it sit for a few minutes. It didn't dissolve the acid, but lubed up the binding enough for the bulked up dental pick to remove the battery. Now I will mix up a paste of baking soda and scrub the crap off w. an old toothbrush while holding the light upside down.

And this is why I always keep at least 2 flashlights in all my vehicles.

AH YES, WD-40, the Duct-Tape of the lubricant world!!! LOL!! And yes, it DOES work in MANY situations when you might not have though it would!! It's a "Wonder Drug" of the metallic world!!!

[Dinochrome One]

Rayovac batteries are well-known around here for giving this kind of trouble. In freezing weather, it's the first one to freeze and burst in the flashlight or radio. I suggest Duracell,.....

[Weetabix]

I have an old 2 AA cell maglite somewhere in a drawer with the batteries swelled in it. The screw trick didn't work. I think there's a tool to take the top part off of the barrel. Maybe I'll try the WD-40 thing, too. I didn't have enough projects on my list.

[PawPaw]

Something that I'm using nowadays is a 50-50 mix of acetone and ATF. Works great as a penetrating oil on lots of things. WD is good, but this homebrew is great. U simply put it in an old Windex bottle, with an appropriate label.

[Aesop]

Rayovac batteries are well-known around here for giving this kind of trouble. In freezing weather, it's the first one to freeze and burst in the flashlight or radio. I suggest Duracell,.....

+1
Stop buying Rayovac. They don't like any environment that isn't perfect 50% humidity and 72 degrees.