h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi there

I recently purchased a kodak digital camera which is now malfunctioning owing to the fact that the batteries leaked inside. Does anyone know how to rectify this problem?. Your assistance will be greatly appreciated. Professional repair may be one option but considering the fact that the equipment only cost eighty pounds this may not be viable!

Thanks & regards

Leroy.

Well to be honest if it a serious leak and got inside electronics then it sounds like a proffesional repair job. If it is just in the batery holder then perhaps a not too damp moist wipe could clean it. If the batery holder is badly coroded then may need somthing like abrasive paper to make a clean cotact point again.
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You say you just bought the camera, if so and if the batteries were supplied with camera perhaps there is a case for a free repair or replacement. I suspect that more expensive batteries like Duracel would have less chance of leaking. I don't use ordinary batteries for my camera but use rechargable ones for other things which can't leak of course.

>>I don't use ordinary batteries for my camera but use rechargable ones for other things which can't leak of course.<<

You mean the ones that look like normal batteries but aren't? why "they can't leak, of course?" are they different? Is that the reason for not using normal batteries in cameras?

(I ask because Gruesome #2 keeps losing her rechargeable batteries and I'm tempted just to let her use normal ones.)

Sorry, no idea about the original question - like Strangely said: if it is relatively new, it might be worth asking for a replacement or free repair.

I think it depends on whether it's a wet cell or a dry cell.

A20600849

As far as I am aware rechargable batteries can't leak, but normal batteries can. You can use normal batteries in cameras but need to remember to not leave them in camera to long as might leak. I would imagine that some batteries are more prone to leaking like cheaper batteries. There used to be larger batteries many years ago that had carboard on outside which you would imagine would be terrible when leaked.
I use rechargable batteries as easier than keep going to shops to buy more normal batteries. However I usually know where they are and they never go outside so hopefully won't get lost.

When you say the camera is malfunctioning, do you mean that it just does not turn on? This means that there is a bad contact between the battery and the little bit of metal which is supposed to touch the end of the battery. This is very common when batteries have leaked. You can clean the contacts using an emery board or you can scrape it with a penknife.

If the camera is turning on but behaving strangely, then it is likely that the camera is permanently damaged. Professional repair would cost more than the camera is worth, so why not open it up and have a look inside. Carefully scrape away any of the powder caused by the leak, using a cocktail stick which you have blunted the end of slightly. It's unlikely, but this might cure your camera.

Isn't the contents of batteries generally quite toxic?

Yes