Damaged Light Brick

[Jack Sassy]

(Not sure if it belongs here, feel free to move if it doesn't.)

 

Hello all! 

Just recently I bought a sealed copy of 4194: Whitecap Bay and as I was building it, came across a light brick, which to me looked rather out of the ordinary:

Here it is placed next to an ordinary light brick (on the left), seems that battery leaked (?) as it is just on this side (Much to my surprise, the light brick itself doesn't work ). Anyone knows what could have caused this and what even is it? Note that set was possibly kept in a humid environment, as the box and bricks have such a scent which indicates it.

All answers and ideas will be welcomly received. 

 

Jack Sassy

[1963maniac]

Understand that these light bricks come with the battery installed. After 11 years the battery will leak and probably ruin it. You could try cleaning it.

[Jack Sassy]

8 minutes ago, 1963maniac said:

Understand that these light bricks come with the battery installed. After 11 years the battery will leak and probably ruin it.

Of course, admittedly, I don't have much experience with light bricks as I have encountered them just a few times. 

9 minutes ago, 1963maniac said:

You could try cleaning it.

I could try that, aye. But wouldn't that mean that I have to change the small battery with its shell thingy afterwards?

[technicboi]

1 hour ago, Jack Sassy said:

Of course, admittedly, I don't have much experience with light bricks as I have encountered them just a few times. 

I could try that, aye. But wouldn't that mean that I have to change the small battery with its shell thingy afterwards?

Im pretty sure once you clean it you have to replace the battery

[Jack Sassy]

10 minutes ago, technicboi said:

Im pretty sure once you clean it you have to replace the battery

Yes but what about that shell thingy the battery hides in?

 

I feel so dumb not knowing much about electronics. 

[dr_spock]

The light bricks are very simple devices.  It's basically a couple pieces of metal, a LED and a battery. 

I believe there is one Philips screw holding it together. 
Take it apart.
Remove the leaked battery. 
Clean the metal pieces with electric contact cleaner or IPA.
If the metal hasn't corroded away, install a new battery and light away.

 

[Jack Sassy]

Just now, dr_spock said:

Take it apart.
Remove the leaked battery. 
Clean the metal pieces with electric contact cleaner or IPA.
If the metal hasn't corroded away, install a new battery and light away.

Well, ye answered all my puzzling questions.  Thank ye! Will get down to fixing the light brick for the lighthouse. 

[Lego Tom]

As a newbie, I have zero experience with light bricks, but as an electrician I can state that is the result of a leaking battery. Depending on the damage the acidic leakage did to the clear plastic, it may or may not clean up. It might require sanding/polishing with extremely fine grit paper. Are the light bricks sealed units? 

[Feuer Zug]

19 minutes ago, Lego Tom said:

As a newbie, I have zero experience with light bricks, but as an electrician I can state that is the result of a leaking battery. Depending on the damage the acidic leakage did to the clear plastic, it may or may not clean up. It might require sanding/polishing with extremely fine grit paper. Are the light bricks sealed units? 

The light bricks are not sealed units. A small Phillips screw holds the two parts together and allows access to the battery.

[dr_spock]

Here is the inside of a light brick I took apart for a member of my LUG who wanted to change the LED to a different color one.  The important thing is to make sure the polarity of the LED is correct relative to the batteries.  Otherwise, the electric juice won't flow through it.

[Jack Sassy]

5 hours ago, dr_spock said:

Here is the inside of a light brick

I see, all I have to do after cleaning is to obtain a new battery.

[dr_spock]

Aye, that's pretty much all to it.