How to Clean Battery Terminals

Batteries are extremely important, as they practically power our entire lives; from car batteries for our vehicles to alkaline batteries for our personal devices and beyond, we’ve come to rely on them greatly. Thus, it’s extremely important that we know how to clean battery terminals. Otherwise, debris and corrosion will render them completely useless, in which case, it’ll render us completely useless, too.

That’s why our team at BatteryDepot.com wrote this How to Clean Battery Terminals guide. Reach out to us for more info!

How to Clean Battery TerminalsIn this guide, we’ll cover two separate types of cleaning processes: cleaning car battery terminals and cleaning a corroded alkaline compartment. And, as always, contact us if you need any more guidance.

How to Clean Battery Terminals

Here are six simple steps that you can follow to clean your car or lawn mower battery’s terminals. Check ‘em out now!

  1. Find the battery. This shouldn’t be too difficult; check the auto owner’s manual for assistance.
  2. Remove the terminal covers. By this point, you must wear both work gloves and safety glasses.
  3. Disconnect the battery. First, loosen the negative clamp; then, loosen the positive clamp. Make sure you avoid touching any other metal objects, like the frame of the vehicle.
  4. Select a cleaning agent. Baking soda is the most common cleaning agent for auto batteries.
  5. Rinse, and then dry. Once you clean off the corrosion using the cleaning agent, you need to rinse off the cleaning agent itself from the posts. Use a spray bottle of water, and then dry.
  6. Reconnect the battery. You only need to do this if you want your car to start again someday!

How to Clean Battery Terminals: Corroded Alkaline Battery

Last, but certainly not least, here’s an 8-step method that you can use if the battery compartment itself needs cleaning (due to alkaline corrosion). This is perfect for many different consumer devices and alkaline batteries.

How to Clean Battery TerminalsSupplies: old toothbrush or cotton swabs, lemon juice or vinegar, baking soda, gloves, goggles, etc.

Safety: Don’t let the corrosion touch your skin, protect your eyes, and work in a well-ventilated area.

  1. Wear some protective gloves (made from rubber or a similar material).
  2. Open the battery compartment that contains the leaking battery.
  3. Remove the damaged battery and put it in a plastic bag.
  4. Wipe away any white, solid materials (loose corrosion) using a cloth.
  5. Pour some white vinegar into a cup or a bowl.
  6. Dip a cotton swab into the white vinegar and then use it to wipe the contacts.
  7. Then, dip a fresh swab into clean water and wipe the excess vinegar from the contacts.
  8. Dry the contacts using a fresh towel.

Contact Us Today at BatteryDepot.com with Any Questions!

We understand that cleaning battery terminals can be a bit frustrating at times. That’s why we’re here to give you any help that you might need! Please, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you’re having any difficulties along the way. Our team is here to help, and they’re more than happy to work with you!

How to Change a Watch Battery

Imagine this scenario: You’re sitting on your couch, minding your own business, when the second hand stops ticking. There are two possible reasons that this happened: Either time has stopped altogether, or your watch battery is dead. Some scientists from UC Berkeley predict that time could end within the next three to four billion years. Most agree that it’s very unlikely to happen during our lifetime.

With that in mind, you can safely conclude that your watch’s battery has died. You know what that means: You need to change your watch battery for a new one. You might wonder, how to change a watch battery?

Don’t fret. Our team at Battery Depot wrote this article to help you learn how to change a watch battery. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions.

How to Change a Watch Battery in 10 Simple Steps

Step 1: Remove the back cover. 

There are generally three types of back covers: ones that unscrew themselves, ones that require a small screwdriver, and ones that must be gently pried loose.

Step 2: Remove the gasket. 

If you notice a rubber ring underneath the back cover, this is the gasket. Set it aside before taking out the battery. Note: If it’s dirty, you should clean it, too.

Step 3: Find the watch battery. 

Most watch batteries are of the button-cell variety. It’ll usually be a shiny metallic color, with a diameter somewhere between 6 and 9.5 millimeters.

Step 4: Extract the watch battery. 

Now for the big moment! Once you’ve located the watch’s battery, it’s time to determine what’s holding it in place. Some are restrained with a cover and screw, others with a spring clip, and still others are more loosely installed. Make sure that you use the correct tool for the job. Warning: We recommend using plastic tools, rather than metal ones, to avoid an electrical shock.

Step 5: Identify the watch battery. 

Notice the 3- or 4-digit number on the back of the casing. This will tell you exactly which model it is.

Step 6: Buy the watch battery replacement. 

You can purchase replacement watch batteries in most jewelry stores, electronics stores, drug stores, or hardware stores. You’ll also find plenty of them on our Battery Depot website! Refer to your defunct battery’s identification number to ensure that you’re getting the rig
ht one for your timepiece.

Step 7: Install the watch battery replacement. 

Perform Step 4 in reverse.

Step 8: Make sure that it’s working. 

Now that your watch has a new battery, you should check if it’s running. If it’s still not keeping time, perhaps you should call the researchers at UC Berkeley to let them know that something’s amiss with the space-time continuum.

Step 9: Replace the gasket. 

Perform Step 2 in reverse.

Step 10: Replace the back cover. 

Perform Step 1 in reverse.

Contact Us at BatteryDepot.com for More Information

At Battery Depot, we know a lot about how to change a watch battery. Please contact us today if you have any remaining questions.