Save Your Digital Camera With Baking Soda

Hi all,
I never thought its possible but you wouldn't believe how a little baking soda saved my Cannon Powershot A560 camera.

My camera suffered from a bad case of corrosion on the batteries electric contacts (dont leave batteries inside for too long... ). This caused the camera to always shut down and show the "change battery" sign (even if i just changed them). 

Materials:
1. Baking Soda and water
2. Tooth brush
3. Toothpick
4.sandpaper
5. small screwdriver

This was performed on a cannon camera  but can be implemented on any other brand.

WARNING - use this instructable at your own risk. if you do something wrong your camera might not work anymore. if you have waranty - use it!

This is a last case scenario (dont want to pay for repair and dont care if you break it)

All you need to do is:
1. Expose the contacts using the screwdriver (in my model i had to open the entire camera).
2. Soak the toothbrush in the water with the baking soda.
3. Scrub the contacts hard (make sure to get rid of the greenish layer) Warning! be carefull not to get any electrical component wet.
4. Use the toothpick and the sand paper to sand the remaining contacts (expose the metal - it should shine when you finish this step)
5. Reassemble the camera.
6. Your done! it should work fine now. 

Comments

[coolcrafter101]

OMG! I have almost an exactly the same Canon camera with the same problem! After like 15 minutes using two batteries, it would say "Battery Exhausted". Really great Ible! Thanks! I think I shall try it soon.

[clasof56]

a good thing to know, thanks.
to take this a step further: over the years i have destroyed many battery devices with the batteries leaking. i ended that. the new rechargables...like the eneloops that hold their charge for many months also are not lead-acid and therefore will not leak and destroy electronics. a little dough up front for the batteries and your devices will be safe from the acid leaks. just a thought.

[sitzikbs]

Totally agree. its also environment friendly :)

[clasof56]

hi sitzikbs, one further thought if we are yakking. the nimh batteries..better than the nicads...but lacking in holding power...i threw away many nimh batteries once i had tried the newer ones like the rayovac or eneloops...these are hybrid nimhs and it is such a treat to pic up a digital camera after months of sitting and it still is fast and peppy...i will never use regular nimhs again as most need charging after a month or two of sitting. thanks again

[mickryobe]

Try ordinary white vinegar on the corroded contacts.

[sitzikbs]

thanks. ill give it a shot...

[Kaptain Kool]

Cool! I should try this!

[sitzikbs]

Thanks,
just be carefull :) . it works great.