How to open a sealed Wireless Keyboard Battery Cap

[alexisvw2002]

Hi Guys!

I can't open the wireless keyboard battery cap. It looks like the cap is sealed with acid of the batteries. Do you know how to open it?

 

[GGJstudios]

Are you saying you can't unscrew it? It should be fairly easy to unscrew, even if it's got corrosion in it:

 

[Weaselboy]

Just an idea, and this might totally wreck your keyboard, but you might try dipping just that cap end of the keyboard in some vinegar to neutralize/remove the battery acid.

 

[zepica]

I have the same problem. Someone found solution? I tried with big screwdriver, but no way...

 

[Patrick J]

I have the same problem. Someone found solution? I tried with big screwdriver, but no way...

Why not use a coin? Much better leverage...

 

[zepica]

Why not use a coin? Much better leverage...

I tried, and I almost broke coin
Probably its sealed with acid or something from batteries.
Keyboard is new... But not used for a while.

 

[Patrick J]

I tried, and I almost broke coin
Probably its sealed with acid or something from batteries.
Keyboard is new... But not used for a while.

You almost broke a solid metal coin? How strong are you?

 

[zepica]

You almost broke a solid metal coin? How strong are you?

I've used pliers in combination with coin.

 

[Patrick J]

I've used pliers in combination with coin.

No idea then. Sorry.

 

[aznwar]

Did you try turning it the other way? =]

 

[zepica]

Did you try turning it the other way? =]

I tried every way but tray will not move no matter what I do. Is there some liquid that I can try with?

 

[snberk103]

Try tapping it first, preferably with the smallest hammer you can find.... like a jeweller's hammer. I'm guessing you don't have one.... but that will give you an idea of size.

With a small hammer-like-thing give the cap a smart tap. That might break up the gunk that has sealed the threads. You may need to put something metallic against the cap and then tap that - the idea is to give the cap, but not the surrounding tube, the tap.

Good Luck.

Before you leave much more visible damage, try taking it to the Apple Store - if you can. They may take pity on you.

 

[zepica]

I just tried with a little hammer, and little screwdriver but nothing still

 

[GGJstudios]

I just tried with a little hammer, and little screwdriver but nothing still

Take it to Apple and let them remove it, so you don't risk damaging it.

 

[zepica]

Take it to Apple and let them remove it, so you don't risk damaging it.

Too late dude

 

[GGJstudios]

Too late dude

If that's the case, flip it over and use it as a coaster for 3 coffee cups.

 

[zepica]

If that's the case, flip it over and use it as a coaster for 3 coffee cups.

Actually that's not bad idea at all

 

[Patrick J]

Actually that's not bad idea at all

Most expensive apple branded coaster ever.

 

[chrfr]

FYI, the chemicals in AA batteries are not acid.

 

[Ciordia9]

I've used pliers in combination with coin.

HAha, I just did this. I picked up a used keyboard from a friend and have been trying to open the end cap for the past :30m. I saw the coin idea and completely torqued a nickel. Holy cow!

I don't know if its loaded with batteries, stubborn, corroded, or what have you. I've tapped at its edges, used a fat flathead, torn a nickel. I'm just not sure what magic to try next. It's magically wasting a lot of my time lol.

 

[flynz4]

It sounds like it is time for a new keyboard.

I second the idea of bringing it to the apple store. Maybe they will replace it.

/Jim

 

[Ciordia9]

It sounds like it is time for a new keyboard.
I second the idea of bringing it to the apple store. Maybe they will replace it.

Yea that is definitely the last ditch effort and it may well come to that. Depends on if I get it open before my next trip in that direction hehe!

I'm amazed at how tight a fit this is.

 

[mdhwoods]

I had a similar problem. Getting the cap off is only half the battle. I got the cap of easily and the 1st battery out. Getting the last one out was impossible. The tolerances are so tight that just a little corrosion locks the battery in. Since there was no way to force it out from the other end I regulated the keyboard to the trash.

Good luck

 

[Ciordia9]

I had a similar problem. Getting the cap off is only half the battle. I got the cap of easily and the 1st battery out. Getting the last one out was impossible. The tolerances are so tight that just a little corrosion locks the battery in. Since there was no way to force it out from the other end I regulated the keyboard to the trash.

Good luck

Yea I had thought of that. I figured out how to open the bracket behind the battery and if push came to shove I can open that remove the bluetooth card and then push the batteries out. It wouldn't be hard at that point to make a temporary seal and clean/purge any residue.

The key is just getting that damned cap off. My twisted nickel is pretty sweet though. ;-)

 

[drambuie]

I had a similar problem. Getting the cap off is only half the battle. I got the cap of easily and the 1st battery out. Getting the last one out was impossible. The tolerances are so tight that just a little corrosion locks the battery in. Since there was no way to force it out from the other end I regulated the keyboard to the trash.

Good luck

The last battery is against a spring contact with about 1/16" of play, so a push may have been able to free it. On both my keyboard and magic trackpad I find the battery caps can get really tight, so I slacken them about 1/8th of a turn from full tightness. Aluminum threads can be a pain at the best of times. The paste from leaking alkaline batteries is alkaline, and corrodes aluminum. The cap looks like stainless steel, but the barrel is aluminum.

Mag flashlights are another item like that. They are good flashlights, but the end caps are aluminum, threaded on the inside of the aluminum barrel like the Apple products. That allows easy penetration of leaking battery fluid into the thread.