Batteries in Props. Concerns over time and your take.

[Mercury]

This is about batteries that are in any custom props and/or display toys like AA, Playmates, even big boy toys like MR and similar.

Do you leave the batteries in them for long periods or only when you are showing it off?

If you leave them in, do you check them on a regular basis or only when they start showing signs of power loss?

Have you had better life out of certain ones and a lesser chance of leakage on ones that aren't showing signs of power loss?

I have had the occasional issue with corrosion on older toys I have, mainly being Playmates with decent batteries like Duracell, having gotten rid of the cheap demo batteries after purchase. This has caused me concern with my props with electronics as well as the AA and MR replicas as I don't want to have the damage that even minor leakage does to the contacts. I've started removing them until I need them but it lessons the enjoyment of displaying them because I can't just pick up the piece and play with them for 5-10 minutes whenever I want. Mine is a small collection but I know a lot of people here have some huge collections and was wondering how others deal with it.

 

[Superkrates]

Same basic rule as in Photography Equipment: If you can't afford to lose it, keep the batteries OUT!

 

[rollerboi]

All batteries have the potential to leak/corrode over time. If you're planning to leave it alone for .. I'd say at least 6 months to a year, I'd take 'em out.

This would be a good excuse to make sure that you pick each item up and play with it on a regular basis to take care of the charge buildup. Then, just check em every so often for any signs of corrosion, you'll catch it before it gets bad.

 

[Mercury]

Well, I do play with them pretty regularly. :lol

 

[Heimidal]

I personally keep them out. If I want to fire up a FX lightsaber it only takes a minute to put batteries in anyway and cleaning out corrosion is a pain.

 

[drusselmeyer]

This is one of the pitfalls of owning a screen used prop. Imagine buying one and finding out that there is a corroding battery inside!

Do you leave it in to decompose the prop or do you crack the paint and open it to save the prop?

I had to decide this some years ago and found out that I had not one, but two sealed compartments with decomposing batteries inside!

A couple of months may not be too bad, but some props get neglected for a while and then you have to remember if that prop takes batteries! By the time you get around to finding out, you have a nice, white, chunky, powdery, mess waiting for you. Take your batteries out.

If you build props; make the compartments accessible to replace the batteries!

On a side note, action figures have similar problems. You know that cool MIP action figure you have stored away that lights up? How long have those batteries been in there??


BTW, a Katana or similar sword should always be stored edge up. Edge down usually damages the scabbard.

 

[Mercury]

BTW, a Katana or similar sword should always be stored edge up. Edge down usually damages the scabbard.

I know and I made the rack with that in mind but I don't like the way the Connor looks when upside down. Still even after over 10 years of resting that way the edge is perfect. I'm not sure because I've never had the scabbard bottom off but it seems to have a guide at the end that centers it. The blade doesn't feel as if it's able to move inside.

 

[JediFran]

Something else I would like to raise as many of the members here are customers and may, for whatever reason, have electronics in their costumes (RomFX, microphones, LEDs etc):

NEVER wear batteries close to your skin! A member of our Garrison did just that and the battery leaked onto his back and he now has a very nasty 15cm x 10cm scar on his back following a very deep and nasty corrosion of all the layers of skin. I'm a final year med student and frequently do a&e shifts but pictures of his burn were some of the worst I have ever seen!

So please be careful and look after yourselves as well as your props

X

 

[Mercury]

Something else I would like to raise as many of the members here are customers and may, for whatever reason, have electronics in their costumes (RomFX, microphones, LEDs etc):

NEVER wear batteries close to your skin! A member of our Garrison did just that and the battery leaked onto his back and he now has a very nasty 15cm x 10cm scar on his back following a very deep and nasty corrosion of all the layers of skin. I'm a final year med student and frequently do a&e shifts but pictures of his burn were some of the worst I have ever seen!

So please be careful and look after yourselves as well as your props

X

I think I've seen pics of that posted somewhere showing the results. Very nasty and good advice.

 

[yt]

I am glad you posted this, I have been thinking I need to go through and take out some batteries.

 

[SSRN Seaview]

I had the battery in my MR Star Trek TOS phaser corrode on me. I managed to clean out the white gunk, but I lost some paint on the bottom of the phaser. I would imagine the value dropped a $100 or so given the cosmetic damage.

 

[TymerDC]

Do what I do.....create a list of your props on a WORD program since you do all have computers! One list for props that use batteries and one that don't. List the names of the props alphabetically along with the kind of batteries they use and the date of when you last replaced them. Heres a sample of how the list should look:

BATTERY PROPS​

Disney World Sleeping Beauty’s Castle (Olszewski) : 3x AA …………………..Changed on – 3/9/10

Disneyland Monorail (Master Replicas) : 2x SR445SW (303) or (357) …… Changed on – 1/9/10

First Contact Phaser (Master Replicas) : 2x AAA……………..Changed on - 1/9/10

LOTR “One Ring “(Master Replicas): 6x AA ………………..Changed on – 1/11/10

Star Trek: Mark IX Tricorder (eFX Collectibles): 3x AAA……………Changed on – 4/9/10

NON-BATTERY PROPS​

Star Wars~Darth Vader Light Sabre (Icons)

Star Wars~Luke Skywalker Light Sabre (Icons)

Star Wars~Ep V Han Solo Blaster (Master Replicas)


This way you not only know at a glance when you last changed your batteries but also have a complete list of your prop collection. Work it out so you change all the prop batteries at the first of the year even if you have to change them twice that first year you created your list... its cheap insurance and easier to remember that way . Then check them every 6 months to a year and replace them no later than once a year to be safe !! . One other thing ..DON'T use cheap batteries! Use good name brand like Duracell and check the expiration dates on the package that should read good for several years from the time you bought them. it gives you a good safe margin and tells you they are "fresh" batteries. This is especially handy for guys with large prop collections. Hope this helps.

 

[rollerboi]

You could probably even use Excel to define some stuff to highlight the prop if the date to renew the battery is up.

 

[TymerDC]

You could probably even use Excel to define some stuff to highlight the prop if the date to renew the battery is up.

Some people don't know how to use excel......my way is more simple but whatever works. Mine was just a suggestion and I'm sure others will have what they feel is a better way. Anyway works long as it helps keep track of their prop batteries.

 

[Mercury]

You could probably even use Excel to define some stuff to highlight the prop if the date to renew the battery is up.

Yes, setting up a macro would work. I use OpenOffice but the results are the same. Most of my electronic props are fairly easy to check and change batteries on. I'm going to work on a spreadsheet next weekend for exactly that. I'll also add manufacturer/creator of each prop (if known) and purchased date, etc. Good ideas everyone. thumbsup

 

[MasterWolverine]

wouldn't it be so good if they made batteries that didn't leak, me I believe in taking them all out. And by the way to sword in the scabbard thing, don't worry. Dont you think they were made to last after all look at many of the samurai they carried them on horse back. Just a thought you have them for show, some people use them to demonstrate martial arts. don't worry too much.

 

[cjvince]

I take the batteries out if the object is going to be stored. If the prop is out and I may want to show it off. I also make sure to check on the batteries in my props from time to time, just to make sure.

 

[tim]

If you're not planning to use the prop for more than a few months, take the batteries out--which reminds me that I have to do this for some props I have in temporary storage.

Another thing that irks me about some toys is the cheap rubber used on them (like over the joints of all the AA Enterprise figures). It starts to dry up and crack after a while, no matter what you do.

 

[Ttam Legacy]

What about items like say, the new Tron vehicles and figures, if you want to keep them MIB you can't really take the batteries out of them. :confused

 

[TymerDC]

Well its either carefully open to box and remove the batteries or someday find the prop's battery compartment ruined from battery corrosion. If your worried about the "MIB", I see no harm in having the prop's boxed re-sealed after the batteries are removed. Some collector in the future will appreciate this. There must be a business somewhere in your area that seals boxes using heated shrink wrap. That vacuum formed clear packaging is another problem altogether. I really don't know why these companies sell these toys as "collectibles" then make it impossible to maintain "Mint in Box". I say leave the batteries out of the toy in separate packaging witin the toy's package. least if the batteries corrode then it wouldn't harm to prop.

What about items like say, the new Tron vehicles and figures, if you want to keep them MIB you can't really take the batteries out of them. :confused