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How to open a sealed Wireless Keyboard Battery Cap
- Thread starter alexisvw2002
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I use Apple's rechargeable batteries (or Sanyo Enelopes) in the multitude of wireless keyboards, trackpads, and mice that we use here. They do not last that long between changes (a month or so)... so they are getting changed often enough that I've never had a problem. Alkaline batteries last much longer, and they tend to be more susceptible to leaking. My guess is that regular changing of batteries is sufficient. I would also suggest taking the batteries out if the device is stored for a while without usage.
/Jim
Managed to get mine out
Rule number 1. Don't use crap batteries. If you are reading this you probably screwed the pooch on this like me so let's cut to the fix.
Firstly coins have the best fit for unscrewing the stainless steel cap. Grab a coin, put it in the slot and turn it with pliers. You get good leverage. I wrote off two coins and still couldn't open it. Eventually got it with a combination of other effort described below.
Secondly, tried a bit of WD40. This stuff is usually brilliant but the corrosion had really sealed it. Used a small pencil blowtorch to gently heat the end. As heat expands metal corrosion gets softer. Heating and cooling loosens the two parts.
Getting batteries out is painful but baking soda neutralizes the corrosion and eats it up. Then tap out with a bit of force with a towel or pizza box between the keyboard and hard surface.
Good luck
Rule number 1. Don't use crap batteries. If you are reading this you probably screwed the pooch on this like me so let's cut to the fix.
Firstly coins have the best fit for unscrewing the stainless steel cap. Grab a coin, put it in the slot and turn it with pliers. You get good leverage. I wrote off two coins and still couldn't open it. Eventually got it with a combination of other effort described below.
Secondly, tried a bit of WD40. This stuff is usually brilliant but the corrosion had really sealed it. Used a small pencil blowtorch to gently heat the end. As heat expands metal corrosion gets softer. Heating and cooling loosens the two parts.
Getting batteries out is painful but baking soda neutralizes the corrosion and eats it up. Then tap out with a bit of force with a towel or pizza box between the keyboard and hard surface.
Good luck
Still cant get battery's out
I have the 2009 model of wireless apple keyboard i left the battery's in it with out checking them often. I have managed to open the Bluetooth compartment but the battery's are well stuck sadly. i have tried all the solutions in the above posts and none have worked i hope someone can help me out. I believe that my problem is more that the battery's have swelled rather than leaked acid all over.
I have the 2009 model of wireless apple keyboard i left the battery's in it with out checking them often. I have managed to open the Bluetooth compartment but the battery's are well stuck sadly. i have tried all the solutions in the above posts and none have worked i hope someone can help me out. I believe that my problem is more that the battery's have swelled rather than leaked acid all over.
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.
In case someone googles and finds this.
You need to use a 5¢ and a vice grip. Any coin thinner than that likely won't do. Using vinegar works fine to remove the acid, but it works really slow. I am fortunate enough that I didn't have much trouble removing the batteries.
Mine was still sitting in vinegar as of today. I'm going to try the dremel on it.
I know this a serious thread, but imagine if a Genius came back with a mask and a blow torch to open the keyboard.
Just thought I'd throw this in here....if you can manage to get one of the batteries out, both Duracell and Energizer have warranties (at least they used to - haven't had to use it in a while) that they will pay to replace an item that is ruined due to battery corrosion. Go to their website and check. I've gotten money to replace a Maglight flashlight and a Fuji digital camera from the battery makers. So don't just toss the keyboard in the trash.
If the batteries are a cheaper no-name - you're probably out of luck.
If the batteries are a cheaper no-name - you're probably out of luck.
Opened the corroded battery cover
I found white dust on the outside of my keyboard, and discovered the cover to the battery compartment was fused on tight.
Solvents and lemon juice didn't help in dissolving the corrosion. I enlarged the slot on the cover with a Dremel tool, clamped the keyboard to a work bench with a wood clamp, and applied extra twist to a very large screw driver with a vice grip. Even after I managed to turn the cap 1/4 turn, it still did not turn easily.
A corroded battery cap can be removed, but may require strong-arm tactics like these.
I love my keyboard too much to just chuck it and buy a new one. I glued a quarter to the battery cap to make it easier to open and remember to dump the batteries each time I'm done using it. The funky handle on my battery cap makes it a little more personalized.
I found white dust on the outside of my keyboard, and discovered the cover to the battery compartment was fused on tight.
Solvents and lemon juice didn't help in dissolving the corrosion. I enlarged the slot on the cover with a Dremel tool, clamped the keyboard to a work bench with a wood clamp, and applied extra twist to a very large screw driver with a vice grip. Even after I managed to turn the cap 1/4 turn, it still did not turn easily.
A corroded battery cap can be removed, but may require strong-arm tactics like these.
I love my keyboard too much to just chuck it and buy a new one. I glued a quarter to the battery cap to make it easier to open and remember to dump the batteries each time I'm done using it. The funky handle on my battery cap makes it a little more personalized.
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Second time this has happened to my BT keyboard. First time it came off just with a coin (without pliers) but took a lot of effort and didn't read up on other tactics. This time it seems like it's on tough.
I tried resting that corner of the keyboard in some 6% acidity vinegar (it's all I have) but and using a coin with some pliers didn't work.
I've taken it apart (rather easy!) and I've poured some vinegar into the hole. Leaving that for 15 hours to soften it and will try the coin+pliers combo again.
So annoying! I took it to the Apple Store today and the salesperson tried very hard to make me buy a new keyboard rather than booking a Genius Bar meeting to get it fixed. No thanks!
I tried resting that corner of the keyboard in some 6% acidity vinegar (it's all I have) but and using a coin with some pliers didn't work.
I've taken it apart (rather easy!) and I've poured some vinegar into the hole. Leaving that for 15 hours to soften it and will try the coin+pliers combo again.
So annoying! I took it to the Apple Store today and the salesperson tried very hard to make me buy a new keyboard rather than booking a Genius Bar meeting to get it fixed. No thanks!
Technically it is not Apple fault that the batteries leaked and therefor Apple should not be held accountable for batteries that do leak. You beef is not with Apple but with the manufacture of the batteries you used. Additionally those keyboard are disposable and not repairable. From the way you describe it I can not find any fault in how that salesperson handled that situation.
You should be contacting that manufacture of the batteries to see what their warranty covers.
Well maybe, I first went there to get them to open it. Apple designed it in such a way that a leak will cause this problem in a way that is much more damaging than say a TV remote or game controller has a leaky battery.
I was also using Apple labelled batteries. It's their batteries that did this.
The salesperson did say I could book a Genius Bar meeting who might replace it (since it was their batteries), but as my nearest Apple store is far away and it would mean wasting another 4 hours just to get an exchange on another day. 8 hours for 1 keyboard without any certainties? Doesn't sound too appealing!
If they were the Apple batteries then that changes things entirely. I can see how you would be upset for them not replacing the keyboard on the spot.
This worked! I only left it for a couple of hours. Put all my strength into it and the battery port shifted! It did completely ruin a couple of coins though.
Inside was cleaned by using a flathead screwdriver and scratching the gunk away, polished off with some rubbing alcohol and more vinegar+baking soda.
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You were supposed to use nickels.
I know it is an old post, but I don't think they have "nickels" where he is from... I am currently battling my keyboard to get it open. I left it unused for a LONG time, and it won't come out. I am conceding drilling a hole in the cap, force the batteries out with a hammer and slender device.... A new cap is a couple bucks on eBay.
[doublepost=1493507818][/doublepost]SOMETIMES the threads are crossed--- so the gentle tapping with a hammer MIGHT get them to "jump the tracks" and reseat-- otherwise-- I relied most everything with several of my old wireless keyboards ( why not a Phillips head?) - then I thought to try the weird--Are you saying you can't unscrew it? It should be fairly easy to unscrew, even if it's got corrosion in it:
so I sat an ice cube on the end of the cap-- let the metal shrink with the cold-- that got the endcap moving a fraction of an inch but it was still stuck-- so I tried the reverse-- applied some head from a heat gun-- and wham-- I got it to unscrew! Not sure which one thing or the combination of things was the magic