Light-up brick verdigris?

[The Indecisive Clutch]

This light-up brick is from 2010's Hagrid's Hut. I wanted to make it work again, but there is this green rust inside it. I believe it can be cleaned, but how do I get the piece of metal there out to clean it and then put it back?

Help would very much be appreciated.

Also, I have another light-up brick (in pristine condition), and have a question of whether there's any way to prevent this?

[AmperZand]

@The Indecisive Clutch, I’m not sure how light up bricks work but it sounds like a battery inside has leaked due to age. Not sure if you can save the brick but you probably don’t want to be touching the leakage directly and you certainly want to wash your hands after any kind of contact.

[Toastie]

Well, to get going, define "This light-up brick" and "another light-up brick" and then folks will begin to think about it.

Best
Thorsten

[The Indecisive Clutch]

I haven't touched the leakage directly.

It's this brick; https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=54930c02&idColor=85#T=C&C=85. Mine are from Hagrid's Hut and the Stranger Things 2019 set.

[Toastie]

When you google-search for "change batteries in 54930" you get links to YouTube videos, e.g. this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rhcr5wX0-SE

Wikipedia tells you everything about the batteries used for that brick: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Button_cell

When you take it apart, use a paper towel to "protect" your working area and don't be too much concerned about the leakage material - it is really not dangerous, particularly with the amounts present. If you feel like you need to be concerned, use rubber gloves. Clear out stuff that is liquid like or solid residue - with another paper towel. There won't be much. I'd then rinse everything with plenty of water. Let dry. And then the inspection need to tell more about the status of the metal pieces. There are two on each side. Try to get them out (carefully) and then clean the surface with e.g. the finest steel wool you can find (mine is labelled "0000"). This stuff is always good for removing the surface layers of metal pieces very carefully. Note that the LED will probably just fall into your hands.

Preventing this? Remove the batteries. But then the light brick turns into a weird 2x3 type brick. However, I believe this is the only way. On the other hand, batteries begin to leak usually after years only, provided you use "decent" types and not the 20 for $1/€1 ...

Good luck! (BTW tried all that, works fine. I removed the batteries, soldered wires to the LED, hooked that up to some power source and now it serves in my light house)

Best regards,
Thorsten 

Edited November 7, 2019 by Toastie