Duracell batteries

[Jess from VA]

Appear to leak more than any other alkaline battery (for about 10 years now).  

This appears to be old news, but I was just looking into it and found quite a bit of hate for them on-line. Leaking in unopened packages.  Fouling up electronics.  Well before 10 year guarantee, and sometimes very quickly.... at random.  One complainer pointer out energizer promises to pay for stuff that gets destroyed and asks everyone to make claims.  I don't want to make claims, I don't want leak downs to begin with.

Some stuff is cheap, but some of my tach lights, sights, and other things are quite expensive.  TV remotes are very low draw, so the batteries stay put long enough to leak down badly.

I am hearing you want to use Energizer Ultimate Lithium or rechargeable Eneloop (Panasonic), or maybe Energizer Max (which are still alkaline).

Your thoughts or advice?

  

[Beardo]

The Energizer Lithium batteries are amazing. They last a year in my trail cameras, with several months of that at -30 or worse. As is the case with most things, it pays to pay a bit more and get the good ones.

[cookiedough]

wife has worked for Rayovac parent company for 30 years now.  Rayovac got bought out by Energizer and slapping their label on Rayovac batteries made in same plants for the most part.  I can attest that the past decade or so is better technology than the older Rayovac batteries leaking more so way back when. 

However, like with any alkaline battery, if you leave the batteries in anything for a decade or more not being used,  the chances of leaking acid all over are likely. 

Personally, I do not think Duracell or Energizer, etc. is any better than the other.  You would be surprised at how many of those batteries are made overseas.  Duracell is usually higher priced than Energizer I have found overall.

[bassman]

FWIW.....Duracell makes batteries for both Costco and Sam's Club........

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/little-known-secret-behind-costco-142400084.html

Have heard Energizer makes decent ones.....

[hubcapsc]

I always get duracells... I use a lot of AAA batteries in my "headlight"...
it's real dark out here in the woods at night...

No trouble with them yet.

-Mike

[F6Dave]

When they do leak, and most do in my experience, I've found you can clean up the leakage just like you clean up the posts on a car battery.  A cotton swab soaked in baking soda and water cleans up the mess from an alkaline battery pretty well.

[carolinarider09]

I have had AA batteries of various manufactures "leak" after being in service for extended periods.  The batters were not necessarily being used but were installed in the device.

Flashlights, multi-meters, ect.

I do not remember an event where I opened a battery pack in storage that had leaked.  In other words the shelf life was not an issue. 

But I am working on memory now. 

[Wizzard]

I work for an instrument manufacturer and we use tons of alkaline batteries of all sizes. Back about 10 years ago as an Electrical Engineer I was tasked with testing different brands of batteries to see which lasted the longest in our instruments. I tested tons of diff brands and even overseas stuff. We did not care nor did we test for leakage since they ran down long before that. I did an extended load test on them all over time and charted the data. It monitored current and voltage output over time.
Consistently Duracell came out on top. They also have what they call Pro Cell and they were even better although more expensive. That became all we use.
Lithium batteries are great for the right application One thing they don't like is hot weather and they are more expensive.

[Robert]

Appear to leak more than any other alkaline battery (for about 10 years now).  
  

Had them destroy a few devices already and try not to use them of take them out of the device if its not being used.

[Jess from VA]

Appear to leak more than any other alkaline battery (for about 10 years now).  
  

Had them destroy a few devices already and try not to use them of take them out of the device if its not being used.

Destroying stuff not being used (at all or much) is the problem.

Duracell being the longest/best charge alkaline battery is not the issue (they may be), leaking is the issue.

I have a pile of Duracell left new, and can find no leaks in their storage.  But if I keep them in storage for years before first use, how long till they leak when they are put in use?  Of course this has always been an issue, but it seems to be a bigger issue for Duracell these days.  It's probably a good idea to buy Duracells (or any alkalines) at a place with high turnover (to ensure newer stuff), than small stores.  

I'd taken to just removing batteries from things rarely used a long time ago. I have a pile of nice old aluminum Maglites that have just been passed by with LED flashlight performance, and I can't bring myself to throw them away, but leaving batteries in them is stupid.  I went through my stuff yesterday, and one LED lite I changed the batteries in just a 2-3 months ago had a leakdown spot on it already, (with Duracell).

But there are (expensive) self defense things I don't ever want the batteries out of.  And changing them once a year is not safe with Duracell (or maybe any Alkaline battery).  Some of them use the lithium coin or 123's, but some use AA and AAA.   I think these all need replaced with Energizer Ultimate Lithium.  Which are not leaking down no matter how long they sit in your gear.

I might ask what folks are using in all their high tech sex toys, but this is probably not the right forum for that.     (and they probably get all used up before they ever leak down anyway)  

[cookiedough]

I also know, at least with Rayovac when was Rayovac, not now Energizer, they had a no leak guarantee that if the batteries leaked acid destroying whatever it was in,  you could file a claim and get a fair replacement cost back of what was destroyed.  Never hurts to call or email the mfg. of the battery company no matter who it is to see if a replacement cost of what got destroyed by their batteries due to leaking acid.  I have had mostly flashlights destroyed by Rayovac batteries leaking all over leaving them in for a decade or more.   Then again,  we use to get an 8 pk at cost for 1 buck each and free flashlights all over the house the past 30 years.

All batteries that I recollect have an expiration date written on each battery as well.  Good idea to take out the batteries on items if not going to use them for a few years.

[Robert]

Appear to leak more than any other alkaline battery (for about 10 years now).  
  

Had them destroy a few devices already and try not to use them of take them out of the device if its not being used.

Destroying stuff not being used (at all or much) is the problem.

Duracell being the longest/best charge alkaline battery is not the issue (they may be), leaking is the issue.

I have a pile of Duracell left new, and can find no leaks in their storage.  But if I keep them in storage for years before first use, how long till they leak when they are put in use?  Of course this has always been an issue, but it seems to be a bigger issue for Duracell these days.  It's probably a good idea to buy Duracells (or any alkalines) at a place with high turnover (to ensure newer stuff), than small stores.  

I'd taken to just removing batteries from things rarely used a long time ago. I have a pile of nice old aluminum Maglites that have just been passed by with LED flashlight performance, and I can't bring myself to throw them away, but leaving batteries in them is stupid.  I went through my stuff yesterday, and one LED lite I changed the batteries in just a 2-3 months ago had a leakdown spot on it already, (with Duracell).

But there are (expensive) self defense things I don't ever want the batteries out of.  And changing them once a year is not safe with Duracell (or maybe any Alkaline battery).  Some of them use the lithium coin or 123's, but some use AA and AAA.   I think these all need replaced with Energizer Ultimate Lithium.  Which are not leaking down no matter how long they sit in your gear.

I might ask what folks are using in all their high tech sex toys, but this is probably not the right forum for that.     (and they probably get all used up before they ever leak down anyway)  

Leaking is the issue from experience it seems to be the worst on AA or AAA batteries and Duracell although lasting the longest seem to leak the worst. I have switched brands on stuff that is going to sit to Energizers or have taken the batteries out and keep them with the device in a plastic bag. Have not seen the button batteries leak. I have also taken to putting silicon on the connectors of those that use batteries and it seems to help not only keeping the batteries but making sure the device if the batteries leak can be cleaned and used again.

As for your Maglites you can convert them to LED as there are many bulb options for them and you can even get rechargeable batteries to put in them. I still have some Maglites myself and did not want to give them up but the new rechargeable LED are really good. Ten thousand lumens rechargeable small enough to hold in your hand and can last on lower settings for days. Hard to beat that.

As for the last category I have always believed and followed that there are some things that are better  done naturally. Would be pretty bad to change batteries in the middle of the operation.