Mag-Lite Batteries Fail?

That will be OK if they are indeed acid batteries. For alkaline use vinegar or lemon juice.

Lots of warm water, a little soap, and a bottle brush. Rinse and dry.

It's crazy that lots of purchases come with "heavy duty" or "industrial" batteries, which are actually crappy zinc-carbon batteries with horrible shelf lives, and that leak corrosive goo after a year or two. A good alkaline has a

Radio Shack alkaline.

I'm going to replace them with Energizer Max, alkaline. The others were RS alkaline. Still in the package. I can't see the battery time length. I had some idea that I would return them, if I couldn't get the debris out of the light. However, I'll have to take them out, to check if all works. I think I have some in a radio, so maybe all is not lost.

As Tom said, use vinegar. Put some white vinegar in there and scrub with a bottle brush. Repeat several times to be sure you've got all the crud out. Then wash the vinegar out with isopropyl alcohol.

Ed

shelf

I lost a maglite to a leaked alkaline, something swelled up (perhaps the maglite case) and I couldn't get the cell out with hand tools and a vice.

It probably needs a drill-press or a lathe,

...

I have x-ray eyes.

The question remains as to how what mixtures of these remedies are required. Baking soda helped. I put in about a teaspoon, and filled the handle with water. It did help, but still plenty left. I tried about 2 teaspoons of lemon juice, and filled the handle with water. Not real effective.

I've not had a cell stuck, but I've had good success using ordinary soda water (or Sprite, in a pinch :-) Soda water is preferred, since there's no sugar/sweetener. ...Jim Thompson

If the batteries have swollen, no amount of baking soda or lemon juice is going to get them back to the right size. If they're name-brand (the bunny or the copper top), send the whole shootin' match back for a replacement. You paid for the insurance when you bought the batteries.