Pixel381 question

I've been running the PP381 and been more than pleased with the recycle and run times. Without fail, I will always drop in fresh batteries before each job, and take them out afterwards. They go into a box for the kids toys, remotes, and so on.

Recently, I noticed a green corrosion on one of the battery tabs. I contacted Pixek HK to order another tab and they referred me back to the dealer I bought it from. Problem is, it's been two years or so and I can't recall where I got it from.

Where can I buy one of these small tabs?

Just clean the tabs and you'll be fine…

Thanks for the reply. I took some 0000 steel wool to it, but was worried it might come back.

I think that more important than whether it comes back is "where did it come from". Obviously from one of the battery positive terminals, we know. Seems to suggest that this particular cell may have been overheating for some reason - assuming it wasn't dead to start off with, which I suppose is a slight possibility even given your use of 'fresh' batteries each time.

Are they rechargeables (accumulators) or are they disposables which you've only partly used? I'd guess they're disposables.
In either case, the electrolyte which has been emitted from the cell is not very nice stuff (evidence: what it eventually does to the contacts in the appliance, ie erodes them completely ), might be a really good idea to check through the discards and dispose of that particular cell if you can find it. We don't know how old the 'kids' are (mine are in their 40s but they're still 'the kids' to me - and yes, they still have 'toys' except now they're really expensive toys [just like mine ] ) but I'd hate to think that they'd touched or even ingested it.

As far as the reason is concerned, no real way of telling. It shouldn't be old age if you use fresh each time but we do get faulty batteries from time to time. No idea why. Strangely enough, about 5 minutes before I read your post I pulled 8 supposedly 'excellent quality' cells from one of my TD381s to recharge. 2 from bank A are faulty and 1 from bank B. Environmentally friendly recycle bin fodder immediately. They've only been used for 7 cycles so I suppose I could send them back for replacement - trouble is I'd get the same make back again. Seems like a sound reason to bin them and buy the last 2 sets of Eneloop XX to complete my arsenal, this being the only TD381 which hasn't been running on Eneloop XXs from Day 1.

Perhaps you'd consider using Eneloop XXs or Imedions in your TD381 and doing your bit to save the planet? (PS It's cheaper too )

It was actually on the negative terminal and used with disposable Energizers.

Your point on faulty batteries might very well be the case, however, regardless of the how, I'd still like to know how to get a new tab!

Worse come to worse, I'll clean it up a bit more with the steel wool and hope it doesn't happen again!

alexf9496 wrote in post #15325562
(1) It was actually on the negative terminal and used with disposable Energizers.

(2)Your point on faulty batteries might very well be the case, however, regardless of the how, I'd still like to know how to get a new tab!

(3)Worse come to worse, I'll clean it up a bit more with the steel wool and hope it doesn't happen again!

(1) Now I'm really puzzled. As far as I was aware, AA cells are made as a closed end cylinder with just the top as a seperate piece. On this top piece is the +ve terminal as a little 'pip' central in the end and under this pip there is usually some kind of vent. It is from there that I would expect any leakage to occur. You didn't by any chance put one cell in reversed, did you (it's fairly easy when rushing - despite Pixel's assertion that you can only get the batteries in one way).

(2) No idea where you've get one although they do look vaguely familiar somehow. One of the aspects of Chinese marketing is that they generally don't have a parts service. It's a 'return to maker' job or nothing at all - basically (and especially at the price) they are regarded (by them, not us) as disposable.

(3) However, thoroughly cleaning as you have done will do no harm. I've even cleaned torch (flashlight) terminals with a Dremel and polishing wheel and it's done no harm (my wife insists on using the cheapest batteries she can find - they leak like sieves!). A very small amount of petroleum jelly on the terminals could possibly prevent atmospheric degradation if you rub through the plating, just like we used to do on car batteries about a thousand years ago (approximately, that is).

Whortleberry wrote in post #15326841
(1) Now I'm really puzzled. As far as I was aware, AA cells are made as a closed end cylinder with just the top as a seperate piece. On this top piece is the +ve terminal as a little 'pip' central in the end and under this pip there is usually some kind of vent. It is from there that I would expect any leakage to occur. You didn't by any chance put one cell in reversed, did you (it's fairly easy when rushing - despite Pixel's assertion that you can only get the batteries in one way).

(2) No idea where you've get one although they do look vaguely familiar somehow. One of the aspects of Chinese marketing is that they generally don't have a parts service. It's a 'return to maker' job or nothing at all - basically (and especially at the price) they are regarded (by them, not us) as disposable.

(3) However, thoroughly cleaning as you have done will do no harm. I've even cleaned torch (flashlight) terminals with a Dremel and polishing wheel and it's done no harm (my wife insists on using the cheapest batteries she can find - they leak like sieves!). A very small amount of petroleum jelly on the terminals could possibly prevent atmospheric degradation if you rub through the plating, just like we used to do on car batteries about a thousand years ago (approximately, that is).

1. It's possible it could have gone in backwards and work, since it will run on one circuit, right?

2. Interesting to know, but not very helpful, given my situation

3. Sounds like this is the path to take!

Thanks for the detailed information and help. Much appreciated.

alexf9496 wrote in post #15332227
1. It's possible it could have gone in backwards and work, since it will run on one circuit, right?

2. Interesting to know, but not very helpful, given my situation

3. Sounds like this is the path to take!

Thanks for the detailed information and help. Much appreciated.

1. Yes, that's the beauty of the Pixel design. It will work, at a slightly reduced speed, with just one circuit - a decided improvement over both the Canon and Yongnuo alternatives. I've read, though not personally experienced (as far as I know, that is :rolleyes that it's perfectly possible to run on just one bank without even noticing that the other is non-operational. I've actually put little orange dayglo tabs (think safety markings on aircraft/ambulances) on the positive end of each slot just as an aide-memoire.
   
2. Uhuh. I know it wasn't directly helpful. Without investigating, I wonder if you could butcher a tab out of one of the battery holder capsules they sell in electronics outlets. The nearest I've directly actually seen, and they aren't exactly the same, are the battery tabs in the Canon AA battery holder for grips. Obviously such things do exist, it's just a matter of getting out and finding them! I wish I could remember where I'd seen the exact battery holders, but someone has opened the drain plug on my brain and it's running on empty. Again!
   
3. The lightest smear of petroleum jelly. a barely discernible amount, will protect the contacts from general corrosion. Doesn't prevent build-up from leaky cells, just protects the contacts themselves. Then it's easy (ish) to wipe off with tissue.
   

Or just include a bunch of spare tabs with each shipment to the dealers?

Or maybe I'm just the only dumbass on this planet with this problem. I choose the second option