Replacement battery terminal

[shemandr]

The AA battery terminal on my Garmin 176C GPS corroded and then broke, on the spring (-) side (While I was cleaning it). I've cleaned it, in and out of the unit, and have used Al foil to make a contact but it is unreliable.
Can anyone suggest a source to buy a new terminal? I've ordered a new DC power cord so I will be able to hard wire it. But I would like to be able to use batteries too.

 

[Rich Stidger]

Replacement battery contact and corrosion cleaning

While I am not expressly familar with the contact spring in your Garmin, why don't you cannibalize the battery contact spring out of a cheap $1 flashlight that uses AA batteries? If you are handy you can get it installed and solder it to the existing wiring.

BTW, for future information, when you encounter a battery contact that has corroded either from battery leakage or from a salt water environment, there is a way to clean and arrest the corrosion. The corrosion is nearly always alkaline in nature meaning that it is basic and not acidic. This corrosion can be neutralized by dabbing it with white vinegar and a small brush. The vinegar is slightly acidic and it will clean the corrosion with just a little mechanical agitation. Rinse with a bit of fresh water and then spray with a corrosion inhibitor such as Deoxit D5. Of course be careful not to get the vinegar or water into the guts of your device. Use bits of paper towels and gravity to keep the solutions from running where they are not wanted.

I have saved numerous devices in this manner.

 

[seadaddler]

Very Very Hard

I have tried to replace many other things like you are talking about like an old Raymarine portable VHF I had but had no luck.
Some times you can get parts at Radio Shack but very hard to do,I now either spray or apply some type of grease on all battery connections when using batteries like AA or any even 12 volt units.
I try using one of those electical spray connection cleaners and than add some type of grease.
I now have 2- 76CX garmin just because of what happen to you,WM had a super deal a few years ago for 76CX and g2 blue water chart chip.
Nick

 

[Joetech]

Try the website MCM or Parts Express for Parts such as this.

 

[jibes138]

The grease idea is a good one. You can get dielectric grease at any auto parts store. I use it for light bulb contacts but it would be good in this case as well. Comes in a very small squeeze tube, a little bit goes a real long way.