Li-ion battery went through washing machine - is it OK?

<p>Dumb me... I carry my spare NB-4L lithium-ion batter for my Canon SD1000 in the watch pocket of my jeans and it went through the wash. Sat in the machine all night! I dried it off and put it in the camera, and it worked. But a friend told me not to try and charge it for seveal days, to let it dry out.<br>

Have I ruined it? It looks pretty well-sealed... the only possible place water could get in is around the three metal contacts, and even those look quite tightly sealed. These puppies are $62 at Best Buy - ouch!</p>

<p>I wouldn't give up on it yet. I think it is a good idea to put it in a place where it can dry out. Maybe on a counter where the sun shines or a heat register that blows warm air. Let it sit for a few days, then see what happens. Since it is a spare you still have the other battery. </p>

<p>Thats funny. I doubt, I would have tried the battery direclty on the camera. :) without a voltmeter. If it works it should work hereafter. But, may be you can take to the electronic guys and ask them to check for the voltage output. hopefully under specs. Also, in the wash it would have got some good amount of salts which is not a goodthing. see if it drawing current different than the specs. if there is something wrong, that will ruin the camera. ok. Puppy is not important. But, Mama is :) lol</p>

<p>Dry out the battery, absolutely! You don't want water in your camera. However, if it works, it works. No worries. Before you dry it out, though, try dunking several times in distilled water, just to get all the salts out.</p>

<p>Or you can buy replacement batteries at sterlingtek.com for cheap... :)</p>

<p>-Mario</p>

<blockquote>

<p>It looks pretty well-sealed... the only possible place water could get in is around the three metal contacts, and even those look quite tightly sealed.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Paul, there's a big difference between "pretty well-sealed, tightly sealed" and a gas-tight waterproof seal (which I suspect these batteries are not). I'd be willing to bet that <em>some</em> amount of water has penetrated the seams, not enough to do immediate damage, but likely enough to at least elevate the compartment's internal relative humidity level to cause potential corrosion problems. If so, the outcome when the battery is subjected to self-heating when charged should also be considered.</p>

<p>I don't know if the NB-4L contains internal electronics as Sony's InfoLithium batteries do; if so, it'll be another level of worry.</p>

 

<p>Thanks, everyone!<br>

A couple of people mentioned "salts"... are there salts in laundry soap? I'm no chemist!<br>

Paul</p>

<p>I'm no chemist either. I think salts is a generalized term which refers to water soluble impurities dissolved in pure water which makes it conductive - pure water is non-conductive.</p>

<p>I would guess that soapy laundry water<em> is </em> conductive.</p>

<p>How much does your camera cost?</p>

<p>How much is a replacement battery?</p>

<p>I'd throw out the battery if it were me.</p>

<p>Eric</p>

<p>Hey Paul,</p>

<p>How's the battery workin'?<br>

In regards to salt in the soap: taste it!<br>

Got time for coffee any time soon? My schedule is flexible.</p>

<p>[[Or you can buy replacement batteries at sterlingtek.com for cheap... :)]]</p>

<p>Indeed. Set the washed battery aside for recycling and buy a new one.</p>

<p>[stig... I'll give you a call!]<br>

Rob, and others,<br>

Well, I lived dangerously... been using the batter the past few weeks with no problem. Maybe it was a risky thing to do, but I got lucky!</p>

<p>Suggest you go for a discount powershot sd1000 camera battery<br>

<a href="http://www.digital-camera-batteries.net/canon/canon-powershot-sd1000.htm">http://www.digital-camera-batteries.net/canon/canon-powershot-sd1000.htm</a></p>

<p>Thanks, Jue,<br>

Actually, I ended up using the battery, after it had a chance to dry out thoroughly ... working fine now!<br>

Paul</p>