How to stop corroding batteries?

[cwilliamsws6]

I have an old RadioShack handheld CB I use with a BNC-to-PL259 adapter going to a mag mount antenna attached to the windowsill of my bedroom window to listen to Superbowl 6 when I'm too lazy to go out and sit in my car.

This little radio works great but if you let it sit longer than 3 days almost every time the batteries in it corrode and it looks like I'm trying to make my own Miracle-Gro powder.

The other day I spend almost 45 minutes with a wire brush scrubbing all the corrosion off the contacts in the battery back just so it would make good enough contact for the radio to turn on.

I tried using rechargable batteries in it but those do not have enough power for the radio if I try to transmit with them.

Is there something I can do to prevent the corrosion or should I just remove the battery back when the radio is not in use? Or is there possibly another underlying cause??

 

[The_Cams]

Dielectric grease around the mating surfaces.

 

[cwilliamsws6]

Will that goop up the radio though? The battery pack slides into the bottom of the radio and the contacts touch against a bare PCB.

not exact one but same general idea here:

 

[Smokescreen]

Lithium batteries?

 

[Donald]

People still have CB radios?

 

[Chris142]

Is the skip Rollin? I need to turn mine on.

 

[Yah-Tah-Hey]

Go to an AGM.

 

[andyd]

Di-electic grease allows a displacement fit in connectors and keeps air out at the same time. Don't over think it. It just does.

 

[Californiabob]

use vinegar and qtips to "cancel" the alkaline residual (and rinse with alcohol), then use a fiberglass brush
to refinish the contact surface, then add grease.

 

[supton]

Get a 12V power supply and use that instead? No batteries required. Get one with a cig lighter output if necessary, that handheld unit probably has a cord for that purpose.

 

[oilstudent24]

You could try using a regulated power supply. Not sure why batteries are corroding