HP 41C series battery issues

[Erik-M]

Every diode has leakage so there is always a few uA when you connect the batteries reversed.
Depending on the diode type even shortening the terminals work for draining the capacitors in the calculator. I know shortening works for example for the HP15C but not for the 41, I guess different diodes with different leakage current. Reversing the batteries in the 41 drains the capacitor faster but may be risky when you let them in for long. I would never do this.