Lubricant/Oil On 6D Battery Contact?

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but after spending the most I have ever spent on a camera I want to make sure it is free of defects before my return period runs out with B&H. I received a generic PAWA battery with my kit and have never really used it until recently. Yesterday after letting my camera sit overnight I decided to remove the battery and keep it stored until the next time, but when I removed the battery I noticed a small drop of what appeared to be oil. I rubbed my finger on it and it rubbed off fine, but I'm not sure what that was. I inserted my Canon battery and checked it, but it looked fine and free from that oil substance

I have read that DSLR's have lubricants, but those are primarily located in the shutter. I am not sure if this could have happened during the manufacturing process or possibly from my hand. I doubt it was water due to it remaining on the batter overnight.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you,

David

Throw the battery in the trash. Don't let a $10 battery ruin a $1,000 camera.

Not a lubricant. If anything a leaky cell. Discard crappy battery posthaste.

Thanks for the quick replies! Since B&H included this battery with my kit I felt that it would be a safe choice. Apparently that's not the case. Is there anything I should do to the battery compartment or as long as I stop using the battery everything should be fine? As I mentioned before, I inserted my Canon battery and didn't see anything once I pulled it out. I'd hate to send everything back to B&H, but I don't want to have any issues.

Thank you,

David

Call. B&H. See what they think.

That is a lithium based cell so don't use anything acidic or a base (like baking soda). I'd just get a paper towel, dampen it, make sure it is just barely moist, wrap it around a pencil and reach into the cavity and move it around to clean the area. Do this a few times, new towel each time, then leave the battery cavity open overnight to ensure the battery cavity is dry.

Would I be able to use 90% Isopropyl Alcohol? Or is that too harsh of a liquid?

Thank you,

David

John from PA wrote in post #18471355
That is a lithium based cell so don't use anything acidic or a base (like baking soda). I'd just get a paper towel, dampen it, make sure it is just barely moist, wrap it around a pencil and reach into the cavity and move it around to clean the area. Do this a few times, new towel each time, then leave the battery cavity open overnight to ensure the battery cavity is dry.

Or possibly use a tiny bit of alcohol instead of water and do the same procedure. I keep some 99.99% alcohol or some such percentage around just for cleaning purposes.

I was looking to make sure that's what I am using, David... and you posted in the meantime.

I got some 99% isopropyl from Amazon to use for stuff like this. It cleans things up very well, doesn't leave any moisture or residue behind. Great stuff.

david.g.photo84 wrote in post #18471359
Would I be able to use 90% Isopropyl Alcohol? Or is that too harsh of a liquid?

Thank you,

David

I wouldn't use alcohol at this stage, just a slightly damp paper towel to remove the excess. The liquid from a Li-ion is relatively harmless. Unlike an alkaline battery it won;t continue to cause corrosion unless neutralized. You just want to remove the excess. Use a dry paper towel if something with moisture causes you some concern.

Don't let water contact the suspect battery and store it in a plastic bag until you can hear from B&H. They are likely closed to some extent until the weekend due to a religious holiday.

Phoenixkh wrote in post #18471364
Or possibly use a tiny bit of rubbing alcohol instead of water and do the same procedure. I keep some 99.99% alcohol or some such percentage around just for cleaning purposes.

I was looking to make sure that's what I am using, David... and you posted in the meantime.

I got some 99% isopropyl from Amazon to use for stuff like this. It cleans things up very well, doesn't leave any moisture or residue behind. Great stuff.

Isopropyl alcohol is OK, but rubbing alcohol is Ethyl alcohol with added oils & chemicals & so I don't recommend it.
Pure Ethyl alcohol is also OK. I've used both for cleaning.

david.g.photo84 wrote in post #18471359
Would I be able to use 90% Isopropyl Alcohol? Or is that too harsh of a liquid?

Thank you,

David

Alcohol would be my first choice, especially if it is oil. Plus it will evaporate quickly if you happen not to remove all of it.

PhotosGuy wrote in post #18471392
Isopropyl alcohol is OK, but rubbing alcohol is Ethyl alcohol with added oils & chemicals & so I don't recommend it.
Pure Ethyl alcohol is also OK. I've used both for cleaning.

Thanks. I meant to edit that after I looked up what I purchased and get rid of the "rubbing" part, but I'm at work and interrupted about 4 or 5 times while I'm typing a post. Our duties vary but today, I'm .... well, let's just say, I have limited time.

Thanks again for pointing that out... I'll edit out the "rubbing" part.

I stand corrected, water is not advisable but alcohol also may not be advisable. I knew from work that there were issues with the electrolytes in Li-ion battery vapors and felt alcohol and its evaporation would likely increase that risk. Not to raise alarms but further research resulted in the MSDS sheet for the Canon LP-E6 battery. You can find the MSDS sheet at http://support-vn.canon-asia.com …6%20(Rev22Jan16​)%20SA.pdf.

Read down a bit and you will find the content below. The "steam" (the vapor) can be harmful so efforts should be made to avoid breathing it or having skin contact. Alcohol would increase the vapors so perhaps work outdoors. Note as well that water with the electrolyte can creat hydrogen flourite which is highly caustic.

Personally, after having seen the MSDS sheet, I'd just clean the compartment carefully with a paper towel. If you do use alcohol use it sparingly.