batteries leaked

Any suggestions? I have a 4D maglite i upgraded to led quite some time ago. I havent been able to use it though because the batteries were left in it and in my truck for long periods of time and leaked.I cannot get them out. There is no visible leakage. Is there any way to salvage it or is it trash?

Sounds like a Dzasta! (pronounce “disaster”).
Sorry, I jus’t couldn’t resist the pun.
On a more serious note, some extreme force may open the light, but you may be better off to pitch it. That way you don’t expose yourself to noxious chemicals. Your new lights will likely exceed the performance of the Mag, and with a smaller footprint to boot.

What brand of batteries? I read that Maglite will replace your torch if it was RayOvac batteries that leaked in it. Once upon a time, Maglite honored the Duracells also, but not any more. Again, I read it in a recent thread here somewhere. HTH

if the batteries were Duracell, I think they will replace the light. Maybe someone else can confirm this. Always use rechargeables, no leaky.

Its possible. Not easy but possible.

They likely wont come out the back but sometimes they will. I had a light that belonged to my grandfather in which the batteries leaked, needless to say I wasnt going to just toss it.

I fought those things and scraped the corrosion until the cells freed. I had one cell leak and the battery acid ate the aluminum a bit creating a chemical clump that wouldnt let the batteries slide out, with the clump gone batts went straight out the back.

If that isnt viable, you may be able to fully dissassemble the light to access the C clip that holds the switch from sliding too far forward. Once you can see it, you could drill some small holes in it to slip snap ring pliers or the like into to “shrink” the clip away from its recess. From there you can just knock the leaked battery(ies) out one side and clean up the corrosion inside.

Don’t forget the (ground) set screw in the switch. The switch housing will not come out with out removing it. You will need a Torx T8 to get the set screw out of the hole in the center of the switch. Or a 5/64 allen wrench.
If the first letter in the serial number is a D you will need the T8. If it doesn’t have the letter D you will need the 5/64 allen wrench.
Also if the T8 has a shaft that’s bigger than the actual tip of the driver, you will have to grind it down in diameter for it to ba able to fit down the switch hole. The hole in the switch is not much bigger than the tip of the T8 driver.

D cell Mags with a “D” prefacing the serial number made before ~2009 take the standard 5/64 hex wrench. Newer C and D cell Mags require the T8 Torx for their grub screws. I found a fold-out Torx set by Kobalt that included T8 at Lowest for $7. Like 007 said above I had to grind the shaft down with a dremel before it would fit into the switch hole.

I had to clean out an old 3D Mag that belonged to my great uncle. It was sitting in his car for a long time; the Leakycell batteries were ‘best by’ Jan. 2000. It took a lot of elbow grease with the drill and PVC/rubber mallet combo but it was worth it.

s. if you decide to pitch it I might take it off your hands for the cost of shipping
:wink:

I believe if they were Duracell batteries you have to contact Duracell not Maglite for service, in the past Maglite would handle it on your behalf but now you have to do it directly with Duracell

From firsthand experience.

Duracell will replace the light if it’s their batteries. They may or may not ask you to ship it to them. From my conversation with the service rep on the phone, they will send you a mailing label for the light- if I understand correctly. Plus they send you a battery for the coupon and a Visa gift card. This is the ideal way. I had a 3AA mag that had leaky duracells. They asked me for the code on the batteries. I did not have to ship the light to them. They sent me $25 and a battery coupon. They were very easy to deal with.

Maglite only covers Rayovac any more. The problem is, shipping is on you, AND they require you to send $5 to cover shipping back. I am on the East coast and to ship an empty 3D mag in a padded envelope- it was $9 and change. You will be out almost $15 this way. Considering the new LED 2D and 3D Mags are $15 new at Home Depot/Lowes on black friday every year, this is probably not logical.

A member on here says Rayovac covers lights and batteries in a similar fashion to Duracell. Call their customer service to see how it operates.

Energizer MAY also cover batteries. Maglite also used to service leakage claims for Energizer. When I talked to Maglites customer rep on the phone they said all the manufacturers do all their own claims servicing now. So I surmise, from this information that energizer has a similar program.

As far as any other manufacturers it would not hurt to take 5 minutes to give them a call and see if they cover them.

So yeah the point- call the battery manufacturers directly. From a cost standpoint it makes more sense. Any way you go with Maglite you’ll have to pay at least $5 plus shipping.

Just a note for future thread reference. Maglite does not cover battery leakage.

http://www.maglite.com/pdf/CustServ/D_WHS_6_041112004326182.pdf

This quote is from their warranty notation (incandescent 2-6 D-cell):

EXCLUSIONS:
This warranty does not cover any of the following:

  1. Battery exhaustion;
  2. Battery leakage;
  3. Lamp burnout; or
  4. Damage to or failure of the flashlight or any component thereof due to alteration, misuse,
    battery leakage or lack of maintenance

Hmm i cant tell which brand of batteries are in it. I only ever buy Duracell and rayovac. I think they are Duracell but am not certain. All 4 are stuck in it.

For the Duracell claims, do you also have to provide a purchase reciept? I have a similar case but wasnt sure if it was worth even calling since there is no way I’m finding my relative’s receipt from the purchase.

Nope. They may send you a shipping label to mail the light to them. Again. I read some battery codes off to the rep and thats all. I had to provide no physical proof I even had the flashlight I said I did. It’s pretty easy.

When she asked about the flaslight value, I said $25 and she said “that’s what we have listed for that light.”

Well, they sorta do. That’s what their website says, but I have a letter and a conversation with a customer rep that says otherwise. They cover Rayovacs and nothing else.

Deep it in salt water for 6 hours will get disposed completely.