Computer Services

Battery Damage
Repair

RTC battery leakage is one of the most destructive things that can happen to vintage hardware. We remove the damage, neutralise the acid, repair the traces, and fit a modern battery that won't leak.

Corrosion removalTrace continuity testingTrace repairModern battery fittedFull board test

⚠️ Act Fast — The Clock Is Ticking

Battery acid continues to eat PCB traces even after the battery is removed. The electrolyte wicks into the board substrate and keeps corroding. The longer you wait, the more expensive the repair — and eventually, the board becomes unrepairable. If you see green corrosion, contact us today.

$120–$250

Typical range

Depends on damage

100%

Trace testing

Every affected trace verified

ML2032

Modern battery

Non-leaking, lasts 10+ years

Written

Every quote

Before any repair begins

Pricing

What does it cost?

Typical price range

$120 – $250

Depending on damage severity and trace count

Quote provided after damage assessment — before any repair begins

Our Process

How it works

1

Receive

Board received and photographed. Damage extent noted before we begin.

2

Assess Damage

We map every affected trace, pad and via. This determines the repair scope and your quote.

3

Neutralise & Clean

Battery electrolyte is neutralised chemically, then ultrasonic cleaned to remove all residue.

4

Test All Traces

Every trace in the affected zone is continuity-tested. We don't assume — we verify.

5

Repair Traces

Broken traces repaired with silver conductive ink or jumper wires. Lost pads are re-established.

6

Install New Battery

Modern ML2032 or equivalent non-leaking battery installed — never a barrel or NiCd cell.

7

Full Test

Board tested for complete functionality. All repaired circuits verified under operating conditions.

8

Return

Safely packaged with a full report documenting every trace repaired and test result.

Symptom Checker

Warning signs to look for

Battery damage often isn't obvious until it's severe. These are the signs to watch for.

⚠

Green corrosion near battery holder

Battery has leaked — corrosion is actively eating copper traces right now

⚠

Won't boot after long storage

A dead or leaking battery often correlates with board damage discovered during storage

⚠

Clock not keeping time

RTC battery is dead — remove it now before it leaks, if it hasn't already

⚠

Visible trace damage or discolouration

Electrolyte has already reached the PCB substrate — act immediately

Included

What's included in the service

✓Battery removal — safely extracted if still present
✓Electrolyte neutralisation — chemical treatment to stop active corrosion
✓Ultrasonic cleaning — removes all residue from the PCB and under components
✓Trace continuity testing — every trace in the affected zone tested individually
✓Trace repair — conductive silver ink or jumper wires for broken traces
✓Via repair — damaged vias re-established where possible
✓Modern non-leaking battery installation — ML2032 or equivalent
✓Full board functionality test — all circuits verified working
✓Written report — photos, every trace repaired, full test results
Affected Hardware

Commonly affected systems

Amiga 600Amiga 1200Sharp X68000Apple Mac (LC, IIsi, Classic II)Atari PortfolioAtari TT030PC motherboards (1990–2002, barrel battery)Various game cartridges with save batteries

💡 Preventative battery removal

If your Amiga 600, Amiga 1200 or Sharp X68000 still has its original battery and you haven't checked it recently, consider sending it in for preventative removal before it leaks. It's a $30–$50 job now vs. $120–$250 after the damage is done.
FAQ

Common questions

Can you tell how bad the damage is before quoting?

Yes. Our first step is always assessment — we photograph, map and test the affected area before any repair work. You receive a written quote based on the actual damage found. We won't start repair work until you approve.

Can corroded traces actually be repaired?

In most cases, yes. We repair damaged copper traces using conductive silver ink for superficial damage, or jumper wires for more serious breaks. The technique depends on where the trace runs and how much is lost. We've saved boards that looked completely destroyed.

What replacement battery do you use?

We install modern non-leaking lithium coin cells (ML2032 or CR2032 with appropriate holder) or equivalent depending on your hardware. We never reinstall barrel cells or NiCd batteries — these are the problem, not the solution.

My board looks fine but the battery is old — should I still be worried?

Absolutely. Battery electrolyte can wick under surface-mount components and along the PCB substrate invisibly. By the time you see green corrosion, damage has already been happening for months. If your board has an original barrel or NiCd battery, have it removed now — even if everything looks fine.

Don't wait — act now

Every day of delay is more damage. Submit your board today and we'll assess the extent of the problem.

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