Status: Spent some time fixing battery-powered items that had batteries left in them until the magic goop came out. I once again have a working:
- Data tracker on the treadmill.
- Mini flashlight.
- LEGO® R2-D2® Programmable Droid controller.
- Merlin®, my first electronic handheld gaming device.
Merlin had the most damage; I had to take it apart, pull out the clips that connect the batteries together, and let them sit in a bath of vinegar along with the spring from the flashlight. Meanwhile, I saw I'd accidentally broken one of the wires that connect the battery compartment to the board while taking it apart, so I cleaned up the pads and soldered in a replacement wire.
Going back to the metal bits, I brushed everything with a soft toothbrush, rinsed off the vinegar, and made sure everything was dry before putting it all back together. Portable bleeps and bloops again!
The others just needed some brushing with vinegar to clean up the contacts. Thankfully, none of them had damage to the electronics.