Ringmaster

I have a GPS III/V type unit and I think one of the batteries has started to leak or at least swell up and I cannot get it out. Any ideas? Thanks.

MTalvola

You've taken it apart, right? From your other thread, you figured out it somehow had V guts in a III case. Is there no way to pry it out with a small screwdriver? If you can disconnect the battery compartment area completely, try soaking it in warm water to dissolve any dried chemicals that leaked out. If that doesn't work, try tapping a threaded screw (be careful) into the offending battery, screwing it in and pulling it out by the screw head with a pair of pliers. Maybe put a few shots of penetrating oil down the sides beforehand, too...

Ringmaster

When you take apart a V type unit you still do not have access to the battery compartment. It's part of the back cover. No way to pry with a screwdriver. I've shot contact cleaner inro the compartment and that did nothing. The warm water idea sounds good and if that fails I like the screw idea. Many thanks.

MTalvola

I don't know what the battery compartment in a III/V looks like. Do you lay them down in a tray type arrangement or do they go into a tube type arrangement? Is there no way to smack the ever living crap out of the unit against the palm of your hand?

HumVee

I'd be very cautious about drilling into the battery! At the very least I'd want to be sure it was completely discharged....

Are you sure that there aren't some screws hidden underneath a label on the back or under some rubber nubs that would allow you to more fully take apart the Garmin GPS V? I looked at the owners manual, and Googled for pictures, but couldn't find anything that showed the back....

MTavola, the manual shows that they are "tube type" compartments, and the AA batts go in head or tail first (depending on the polarity orientation needed by each of the two compartments).

Ringmaster

It is the tube type compartment with no entry other than where you insert the batteries. The stuck battery is all the way in. I tried a coat hanger with a small hook formed on one end to try and get behind the battery. Even that would not get it to budge. All I managed to do was catch the contact spring behind the battery and pull it out of shape. I'm thinking of packing it up and shipping it off to Duracell and taking them up on their warranty (promise) to repair or replace anything that their batterys ruin. Anyone familiar with how good they are at standing behind that warranty?

HumVee

I don't ever recall having had a Duracell battery leak. Many other brands (including Eveready and Kirkland, but not Duracell). So I haven't had to resort to their guarantee - in fact, I had to look it up to know what you were talking about:

DURACELL BATTERY GUARANTEE

If you're not completely satisfied with a Duracell product, contact us.
All of our batteries are guaranteed against defects in material and workmanship. Should any device be damaged by these batteries due to such defects, we will either repair or replace it if it is sent with the batteries. Send with postage prepaid to:

Duracell
Berkshire Corporate Park
Bethel, CT, 06801
Att: Consumer Dept.

Since your GPS V (or III or whatever it is) isn't very useful in its current state, I don't suppose you have much to lose trying it out. I'd document/photograph what your sending, and maybe ship it insured or at least signature receipt, so you know that it gets there....

Ringmaster

The unit is working. I just assume that won't be for long after that one battery dies.

TITNTUFF

Duracell sent me a check for a new tv remote after a battery leaked.