Dropped, Battery Case, Cracked it - DIY - Repair?
 

Title says it all! Any thoughts? - Battery still functions. Just a crack along one edge.

ANy DIY solutions? Glue, Gaffa tape, Super Glue, Epoxy resins - SPIT!

Grazie

Use some CA (cyanoacrylate glue) available at hobby shops everywhere- they have various grades from thin to gap filing thick formulas- use whatever works for that crack- to speed drying- get some accelerator while you're there! Trust me CA is super glue in it's truest form! It wont break there again.

Steve, excellent! So CA or SG is the way to go? - I don't know of an accelerator or cyanoacrylate glue here in the UK - we do have Super Glue though. The crack is quite clean, and runs along the "slide" groove. Will the SG effect anything inside the battery pack itself?

Grazie

We (the Aussies) use 5 minute areldite. It's excellent for things like this, it dries clear and works out to be harder than the plastic on the battery pack.

I have found glues like super glue tend to crack under certain stresses associated with heat and or mostiure.

Jack

I probably would try epoxy, but more to the point, check to be sure the battery takes and holds a charge. Be around when it first recharges to be sure it does not heat out of control. And be sure you have a good supply of spares. The fall may have shortened its life significantly.

Good points, Jack & Don. I'll take heed of your sound advice. I'm getting to the point where I might just ditch the battery in the correct manner and obtain a replacement.

A salutory experience . . .mmmmm .. .

Grazie

Graham,

I wouldn't throw the battery out unless I tried it first. It may well be working perfectly. When you first charge it, monitor the heat... if it heats up too hot it may have a problem, if it doesn't heat up unusually, just use it and see how long it lasts in your camera, if it seems normal, then it is likely to be fine.

Jack

The effects of dropping your battery may not be readily apparent for days, weeks or even months. The damage my be minor, such as reduced life or overall performance and discharge times. However, a drop severe enough to crack the case could cause severe internal damage. Even charging the battery risks damage to your charger. The battery could severely damage your camera. Internal components could be damaged (cracked) and yet not fail for several months. My advice is to dispose of the battery properly.

If it's a thin crack and clean- i'd go to the hobby shop and use "thin" CA and accelerator (kicker)......I can almost gurantee it will work perfectly and never break there again!! Takes all of 1 minute to implement the fix.