The Energon Pub

Thu May 06, 2010 3:08 pm

I know this has been discussed before, but I couldn't find the original thread. Long story short, I heard a loud pop while sitting at my desk and later found that one of Cybertron Prime's AAA batteries had exploded. Luckily I caught it before too much leakage took place. I have since removed all AA and AAA batteries from my collection, however, I'm wondering if anyone has had issues with button cell batteries leaking too. Any thoughts on the matter?

Thu May 06, 2010 3:15 pm

This is the very reason batteries must be removed about 3-4 months after buying a new figure and should be put in and taken out of older figures as needed. The only ones I have found that are exempt are the watch-batteries in MP Megs....although that might be debatable.

News Credits: 5 · Thu May 06, 2010 6:52 pm

I removed all of the batteries from all my figures.

News Credits: 37 · Thu May 06, 2010 6:59 pm

Every time I press the button on ROTF Megatron, the lights flicker and there are poping noises, but it usually fixes itself after a few minutes.

News Credits: 3 · Thu May 06, 2010 8:21 pm

Decided it was about time to de-battery the collection, myself...just spent the last couple hours tending to the task. Luckily no leaking batteries were found, but Cyberton Megs took a header from the top shelf after putting him back

...he survived the fall, though.

I think the only sounds I'll somewhat miss are the transforming sounds. Most the rest I can do without, and I'll be quite happy not to hear "I am Optimus Prime" 78 times the next time I transform ROTF Prime!

News Credits: 11 · Thu May 06, 2010 8:23 pm

Oh man, that's a scary thought, that it could just happen out of nowhere and you'd actually HEAR it. :shock:

Now I want to take all the batteries out of mine...

News Credits: 14 · Thu May 06, 2010 8:40 pm

Here's my close encounter with one:

News Credits: 11 · Thu May 06, 2010 9:12 pm

Sweet baby Jesus that's scary!

Thu May 06, 2010 9:33 pm

I heard about this, but I didn't know they literally exploded. I thought it was leakage...

Looks like it's time to take out all of the batteries. It's gonna be a quite a task though... :shock:

News Credits: 2 · Thu May 13, 2010 9:26 am

This is why I hate it when new figs come packages with batteries inside. I often buy doubles of the Prime and Megatron figs from current lines to display MISB, not sure what to do about the batteries though as removing them will require destroying the packaging.

ideas? thoughts?

News Credits: 217 · Thu May 13, 2010 9:29 am

I had a friend who lost a Sky Lynx to battery corrosion.

That said, I did inadvertently leave batteries in some of my figures for around four years with no problems.

News Credits: 609 · Thu May 13, 2010 10:25 am

Sid Burn wrote:This is why I hate it when new figs come packages with batteries inside. I often buy doubles of the Prime and Megatron figs from current lines to display MISB, not sure what to do about the batteries though as removing them will require destroying the packaging.

ideas? thoughts?

I'm a mixed MISB/loose collector, so I know what you're going through. Right now I'm working on carefully opening the package, undoing the minimal number of twist ties, and so forth to get the batteries out. It's tough and annoying, and those figures are now just MIB, but it's better than corrosion.

I'm particularly annoyed by Hasbro's move to 'AA' type instead of watch batteries, as the 'AA' type are much worse when they fail.

News Credits: 12 · Thu May 13, 2010 11:33 am

I don't leave AAs or AAAs in my TFs, but I do leave the small watch batteries in there. I don't think they leak; at least I've never seen one leak.

News Credits: 11 · Thu May 13, 2010 11:54 am

GuyIncognito wrote:I don't leave AAs or AAAs in my TFs, but I do leave the small watch batteries in there. I don't think they leak; at least I've never seen one leak.

They can, but it's less common than with larger batteries, and MUCH less messy.

Fri May 14, 2010 6:34 am

Overcracker wrote:Here's my close encounter with one:

Thanks for posting this. You swayed me with one picture! I never really worried about it, and I have never had any trouble with this. I think it is time for me to do some preventative maintenance! I don't want my figures ruined, so that is something I need to get off my butt and do.

News Credits: 14 · Fri May 14, 2010 11:35 am

Prime Riblet wrote:
Overcracker wrote:Here's my close encounter with one:

Thanks for posting this. You swayed me with one picture! I never really worried about it, and I have never had any trouble with this. I think it is time for me to do some preventative maintenance! I don't want my figures ruined, so that is something I need to get off my butt and do.

Fortunately for me, Metroplex's staff/Sparkdrinker wasn't ruined. Just had to remove the batteries, and chip away the acid crystals inside. Then wipe it with a q-tip.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=60567

but yes, batteries can leak, so be very careful.

News Credits: 3 · Sat May 15, 2010 7:05 am

I was pulling the batteries out of my collection a while ago. (a few exceptions as they're not that old and I still use the electronics right now) During this I did find leaking watch batteries, they were in my Armada Megatron. Those batteries had been there for at least six years.

Sat May 15, 2010 9:20 am

Thanks to Overcracker, my figures are completely battery free now, and I think they have a greater sense of peace as well!

Tue May 18, 2010 12:49 pm

I forgot to mention that it's a common misconception that the batteries leak acid. These are alkaline batteries, thus you must use an acid to neutralize the corrosive crystals. Vinegar and lemon juice work great, although I prefer the smell of lemon juice to vinegar.

News Credits: 2 · Tue May 18, 2010 2:49 pm

Overcracker wrote:Here's my close encounter with one:

Well I didn't know this could happen.

What type of batteries do 2007 movie Prime take? Right now he's the only figure that I have with batteries in it.

EDIT: I forgot about my Powerlinx Jetfire! What batteries does he take?

News Credits: 14 · Tue May 18, 2010 4:09 pm

Jetfire uses button cell batteries in his gun. As far as I know button cell batteries are solid, so can't really leak.

Prime according to the box uses 2 double A batteries.

News Credits: 2 · Tue May 18, 2010 4:47 pm

Thanks for the help Overcracker! I really appreciate it!!!

News Credits: 3 · Wed May 19, 2010 12:34 pm

I bought a 2007 Leader Brawl from TJMaxx a few months ago and the elctronics worked fine, but recently stopped working. I checked the batteries and one was leaking slightly. I changed them out and the electronics worked fine again.

Thu May 20, 2010 3:55 pm

There are a few toys I love, but are unopened. I cringe at the thought of opening them. I die at the thought of a battery exploding inside them... hmmmm decisions.....

Tue Jun 01, 2010 7:34 am

I'm not sure if this is the same thing, but I put a bunch of my TFs into a drawer with these other things, and it just so happened that these 'other things' had batteries. As you can imagine, the batteries started leaking pretty badly, and half of my TFs got DRENCHED in the stuff (I exaggerate of course, but it was still pretty bad).