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[RaaArtyGunner]

Need some advice on rechargeable batteries.

There is a lot on the forum about Lipos, gelcells but couldn't find anything about this.

After recharging and storing some single cell AA rechargeable batteries, a few have developed a white powder at the top, the positive end.

Have been told to wash the batteries in soapy water, dry them and they will be OK for continued use.

Before doing anything, am wondering, what is the "white" powder and do I teat the affected batteries as suggested, namely wash them??

[brianB6]

The white powder is lead oxide, I think, (I can ask my chemist son in law) and often occurs on battery terminals.   Have'nt you seen it on your car battery?   Usually occurs when the terminals get wet, so better not to use water, which is not a good thing to have around 'electrikery' 
A good brush off with a wire brush, outdoors and away from you, should get it off.   A light coat of vasaline will stop it coming back.

[CGAux26]

Or it may mean the cells are leaking the magic juice inside.  If they are it's time to replace them before they corrode something else.

[RaaArtyGunner]

Or it may mean the cells are leaking the magic juice inside.  If they are it's time to replace them before they corrode something else.

Yes, that raises the other question, I have a couple of others that look "wet" at the positive end, which I thought meant that they are leaking and I was going to dump those, but didn't know about the 'lead oxide' bit.

[RaaArtyGunner]

The white powder is lead oxide, I think, (I can ask my chemist son in law) and often occurs on battery terminals.   Have'nt you seen it on your car battery?   Usually occurs when the terminals get wet, so better not to use water, which is not a good thing to have around 'electrikery' 
A good brush off with a wire brush, outdoors and away from you, should get it off.   A light coat of vasaline will stop it coming back.

Brian,

Thank you, was told washing with warm soapy water would get rid of the 'lead oxide' ? because brushing wouldn't, as it is under the plastic lip edge that covers the batteries.

My car battery looks OK, haven't seen it on the terminals, which have some green gunk coating on them.

Have some reservations about 'washing' batteries.

[hopeitfloats]

a slight detour from the topic but baking soda and warm water gets rid of the green and the white gunk from a car battery. may work with your rechargeables.... maybe....

[malcolmfrary]

I doubt very much that any lead oxide is involved where NiCads or NiMHs are involved, since they don't use a lot of lead unless something has been soldered to them.  Many chemical salts and bases form white crystals, so it is a reasonable bet that it is a bit of insides that has leaked out and dried.  Cleaned up, they should be OK for further use, but don't expect the absolute same capacity as an unleaked one.

[RaaArtyGunner]

I doubt very much that any lead oxide is involved where NiCads or NiMHs are involved, since they don't use a lot of lead unless something has been soldered to them.  Many chemical salts and bases form white crystals, so it is a reasonable bet that it is a bit of insides that has leaked out and dried.  Cleaned up, they should be OK for further use, but don't expect the absolute same capacity as an unleaked one.

Thank you Malcolm, will clean them up and put them on charge.

[RaaArtyGunner]

Have now washed the batteries, in warm soapy water, which easily removed the white powder.
Letting the batteries dry thoroughly, before putting them on charge.