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How to Fix Battery-Operated Toys From the 1950s

Battery operated toys from the 1950s typically used large batteries, such as "D" and "C" cells. Left unattended over the years, these batteries will leak into the battery compartment and contaminate the contacts that transmit the electrical energy to the toy's electronics. To fix a battery-operated 1950s toy that has a corrupted battery compartment, clean the contacts using supplies acquired from a hardware store. The procedure does not involve any dangerous chemicals or special tools.

Things You'll Need

Flat-edged screwdriver
Newspaper
Electrical cleaning spray
Rag
Rubber eraser

Instructions

- 1
  Open the toy's battery compartment lid. Typically a screw must be removed first, using a flat-edged screwdriver. Place the screw, if it comes out of the lid, in a cup so that it doesn't get lost.
- 2
  Place a sheet of newspaper on a table. Place the toy face down on the table so that the battery compartment is facing up.
- 3
  Shake the can of electrical cleaning spray for five seconds. Spray a rag with electrical cleaning spray for two seconds. Wipe out the inside of the battery compartment with the moistened rag.
- 4
  Spray the contacts inside the battery compartment with a two-second burst of electrical cleaning spray. Let two minutes pass. Wipe the contacts off, using the rag.
- 5
  Rub the end of a rubber eraser against each of the contacts for 10 seconds. Upend the toy so that the battery compartment is facing the newspaper. Shake the toy to dislodge the rubber eraser shavings onto the newspaper.
- 6
  Place the toy back on the newspaper with the battery compartment facing up. Wipe out the battery compartment, including the contacts, with the moistened rag. Let the battery compartment sit undisturbed for three hours.
- 7
  Place the battery compartment lid back on the battery compartment and reattach the screw, if one is present. Throw the newspaper in the trash.

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