Is my flash dead?

Hey everyone, been lurking here for a while now.

I have an SB-600 that's been sitting in the bag unused for probably 6 months to a year. I went to pull it out today and one of the alkaline batteries had leaked that white gunk. I cleaned everything off the best I could and replaced the batteries, but the flash won't turn on now.

I can't see any visible corrosion. There was some of that white gunk on the metal contact point on the flash, but that seemed to have all cleaned up, and still no dice.

Any ideas for what else I can try? Is my flash dead?

niglecorn said:

... Is my flash dead?

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Well I'm not expert, but it sorta sounds like it is if it won't even power on.

The white powder is stuff like manganese dioxide and ammonium chloride left over after fluid that leaked out of the battery evaporated. Commonly the damage is worse than it appears because the fluid has crept in deeper than you can see, or clean, without disassembling the unit.

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Corrosion could have crept deeper like HS said and caused a connection inside to fail. But I would say try harder to clean it. See if you can get some fine sandpaper in there and really clean the contact. Maybe tape it to a stick to get down in there. I've seen contacts that look clean, but still have a thin coating of insulating corrosion on them. Roughing them up a bit often helps. If you don't have sandpaper, try a pencil eraser, but that corrosion layer can be tough stuff and I have good luck with the sandpaper. I've also scraped with a small screwdriver. An emery board nail file bent at the end can work too.
I hate alkaline batteries in high drain devices. That seems to be the recipe for leakage... run batteries down a bit at a high rate, then store for several months. Consider eneloop rechargables next time.

Second this^

You could also use some contact cleaner on a Q-tip: Amazon.com: CRC 05101 QD Electronic Cleaner - 4.5 Wt Oz.: Automotive

You can usually pick it up at auto parts stores.

Try scraping the contacts with a screw driver or a knife tip.

Thanks for the tips. I'll see if anything works and report back.

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Good news. I spent some more time last night with some q tips soaked in vinegar and a pencil eraser, and after it all the flash fired up! Thanks for the tips.

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niglecorn said:

Good news. I spent some more time last night with some q tips soaked in vinegar and a pencil eraser, and after it all the flash fired up! Thanks for the tips.

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Sounds like you dodged a "bullet"!

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This is one those situations which nudge you to take batteries out while storing electronic equipment. Even though lithium ion batteries used now a days do not leak normally, any short circuit can explode them, so it is wiser to take out batteries while storing.

I'll bet you won't leave batteries in a flash or anything else for a while. Hard lesson to be learned, as we all have pretty much done it at one time or another.

I'm glad you were able to revive your flash. I am personally not sold on the SB-600's reliability. I have two and one has already been to Nikon for repair. I keep an ancient SB-24 on hand because I can shoot in A mode with any camera. Works like a champ.

sonicbuffalo said:

I'll bet you won't leave batteries in a flash or anything else for a while. Hard lesson to be learned, as we all have pretty much done it at one time or another.

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I think that may be true of alkaline batteries, but has anyone ever had Eneloops or NiMH batteries leak?

Wolfeye said:

I think that may be true of alkaline batteries, but has anyone ever had Eneloops or NiMH batteries leak?

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Not that I'm aware of

I've lost multiple flashlights to leaking batteries. Something like a flash is easy enough to leave the batteries out of, which I'll definitely do from now on, but leaving batteries out of a flashlight kind of defeats the purpose.

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its a hazard of our hobby... especially when we buy stuff that just doesn't get used much!
came across my little sekonic 308 light meter the other week, it had been hiding out in the side pocket of an old camera bag i no longer use! still looking as dapper as the day it was bought until i opened the battery cover... all i can say is hell hath no fury like a battery scorned!
oh we all love em and they love us right back but you turn your back on em and they'll set out to destroy all that they are able and serve it back to you on a nice cold lifeless platter!

I have seen batteries leak and batteries explode. Batteries are quite unstable at high temperatures and the temperature can go beyond 60 degrees Celsius in a car in summers here.

I remove the batteries on ALL the gear that requires them when sitting.