Agilent U1242B battery contacts corroded by acid

[Spectrum]

Hi guys, I bought an used DMM Agilent U1242B which has the battery contacts corroded by acid. Could you tell me where to find spare parts? I am in Italy and it's hard for me, I think only on line. Thanks a lot for the help.

[bd139]

If you’re lucky keysight may sell parts. Check https://www.keysight.com/my/fapHomePage?cc=GB&lc=eng

You will have to find the part number if they have any and then phone your country specific keysight branch and order there. They may not sell to you if you are not a business.

[wraper]

When the same happened with My U1272A, I ordered a new back cover through a local Keysight distributor.

[Spectrum]

Thank you for the answer.

@wraper: do you remember how much cost ?

[wraper]

Thank you for the answer.

@wraper: do you remember how much cost ?

I paid EUR 29. Though likely it should have been more. The guy who runs that business knows me and said he put a minimal markup on it.

[wasedadoc]

Until you have done a thorough examination don't assume that only the battery contacts have been affected.  Watch https://www.eevblog.com/2022/09/06/eevblog-1497-rip-fluke-thanks-energizer-not/

By the way if alkaline batteries have been the cause, it isn't acid damage.  The hint is the fifth word of the previous sentence. 

[wraper]

In any case I suggest using LSD NiMH cells like IKEA LADDA or Amazon basics as Panasonic only acquired the eneloop brand, not factory and sells the same batteries made by Fujitsu for 2-3 times more. That back cover replacement was not enough to teach me a lesson and after about a year or two I had batteries leak again. Thankfully I noticed before severe corrosion could happen and taking out the contacts and washing everything was enough. The first time a few of the springs disintegrated in pieces. After that second time I abandoned alkalines completely and no longer use them anywhere.

[Spectrum]

Hi Wraper, thanks for the advice, now the DMM use the AAA or AA and these batteries lose acid. It was better with the 9V 6F22.

[wraper]

As hinted by wasedadoc, it's not acid but alkali that is leaking

[Spectrum]

Ah OK yes thanks...

[Spectrum]

As hinted by wasedadoc, it's not acid but alkali that is leaking

Until you have done a thorough examination don't assume that only the battery contacts have been affected.  Watch https://www.eevblog.com/2022/09/06/eevblog-1497-rip-fluke-thanks-energizer-not/

Sorry, I do not well understand your message. The DMM works, inside there is an aluminum foil and the alkali is not inside. 4 contacts (especially 2) are eaten by these alkali.

[wasedadoc]

As hinted by wasedadoc, it's not acid but alkali that is leaking

Until you have done a thorough examination don't assume that only the battery contacts have been affected.  Watch https://www.eevblog.com/2022/09/06/eevblog-1497-rip-fluke-thanks-energizer-not/

Sorry, I do not well understand your message. The DMM works, inside there is an aluminum foil and the alkali is not inside. 4 contacts (especially 2) are eaten by these alkali.

If you watch the video you will see how the corrosion can get much further than the battery contacts. Will depend on the internal construction of the device.  If you have completely checked the inside of your meter and found no more effects of the leakage then that is good news for you.

[Spectrum]

Oh yes thanks, I understood correctly. Inside there is an adhesive aluminum foil that creates a barrier, so no contamination