Flashlight Batteries that leak/corrode?

[ultrarunner]

Memory might be failing so bear with me.

Does it seem to anyone else that Flashlight Batteries tend to leak and corrode more these days?

Have a lot of batteries at work and never recall in the 24 years I've been on the job having to deal with corrosion from leaking batteries until the last couple of years...

Spend about a $1000 annually on Duracell AAA, AA, C, D and 9V batteries.

The damage can be serious when the equipment is expensive or just annoying with things like Maglite flashlights... some of the Maglites were destroyed with the aluminum badly eaten away...

Years ago I remember I could open up almost anything with a Duracell batt in it, (in or out of date) and you'd hardly ever see a leaking one.

 

[oosik]

I've started using Lithium & Ultra Lithium. Somewhat more expensive but they sure last longer and no leakage problems.

 

[Bird]

I haven't had that problem in more than 30 years, but 50 years ago, leaking, corroded batteries were common.

 

[dodge man]

I've have had a few that leaked in the last few years, not common but does happen.

 

[RalphVa]

I use rechargeable lithium ion. They don't leak.

Ralph

 

[Soundguy]

Memory might be failing so bear with me.

Does it seem to anyone else that Flashlight Batteries tend to leak and corrode more these days?

Have a lot of batteries at work and never recall in the 24 years I've been on the job having to deal with corrosion from leaking batteries until the last couple of years...

Spend about a $1000 annually on Duracell AAA, AA, C, D and 9V batteries.

The damage can be serious when the equipment is expensive or just annoying with things like Maglite flashlights... some of the Maglites were destroyed with the aluminum badly eaten away...

Years ago I remember I could open up almost anything with a Duracell batt in it, (in or out of date) and you'd hardly ever see a leaking one.

Depending on how far you go back, there used to be carbon zinc bats everywhere, but the walks gave more power.

Nowadays I like led lamps, LEDs last longer, bats running LEDs last longer. Win win.

I also use rechargeable as much as possible.

At work we went from using near 160$ a month on as and 9v bats, to hicap NiMH, and now have not bought a aa bat in about 15 months.

Same 12 aa rechargeable are still going 15 m later

 

[caver]

I've had stuff leak but it takes a couple years of sitting. Now I tend to see stuff I haven't used in many months/years, I take the batteries out and lay them beside the item.

 

[ultrarunner]

It's mostly items in the response packs... batteries still in date... only damage from corrosion is becoming an issue.

I guess I could take the pro-active approach and replace based on time and not power... do test batteries and if they test OK... put them back in.

 

[Quartz]

The batteries in my aluminum flashlights seem to have corroded more often than the ones in my older plastic flashlights my Dad got from the electric company. Used to use strictly Duracell, but now, may look at other brands.

 

[stingray1]

I have 2 mag lights with batteries stuck in them from leaking.

 

[Billrog]

Always had leaking battery's yrs. ago 90 % are Duracell now and have not had one leak even in the flash light that sits in the backhoe yr. round and they also last better just replaced the 2 in a smart level over 20 yrs. old.

 

[s219]

I have lost several aluminum flashlights because of this. Hasn't happened to my plastic ones, but I have lost other electronic devices to corroded batteries.

 

[ultrarunner]

We have numerous crash carts around the Hospital... all have 3 a cell maglite in holders mounted to the carts.

Some of the carts date to 1995...

The last 3 years I've had to trash several Maglights because the batteries became corroded in place...

I've noticed the same in my AAA and AA personal Maglites too.

Last night a weather station I gave Mom two years ago for Christmas stopped working... opened it up the battery compartment was full of corrosion... I live in a mild climate where it does not freeze nor is it hot enough to have A/C

 

[3930dave]

We have numerous crash carts around the Hospital... all have 3 a cell maglite in holders mounted to the carts.

Some of the carts date to 1995...

The last 3 years I've had to trash several Maglights because the batteries became corroded in place...

I've noticed the same in my AAA and AA personal Maglites too.

Last night a weather station I gave Mom two years ago for Christmas stopped working... opened it up the battery compartment was full of corrosion... I live in a mild climate where it does not freeze nor is it hot enough to have A/C

Mag manuals used to mention using vaseline every so often on the O rings. I try and "re-grease" my maglites at least once/year, seems to help. Lost one AAA mag years ago before I started greasing, have about 3 on the go now, so far so good.

On more open style battery compartments, maybe try slathering on something like Permatex's Dielectric grease ?

Can't say I've seen any Duracells leaking, but only have bought a few in the last years. Have used plenty of Kirkland (Costco housebrand) AAs the last few years - no issues there, and those are USA made too.

Rgds, D.

 

[PILOON]

There are different types of battery dry cells.
Alkaline, lead acid, zink (something) mercury, nickle cadmium and lithium just to name a few.
Some are just plain more corrosive than others with. I think, lead acid being worst.

With the advent of all the dollar stores there has been an influx of hoards of chicom cheap batteries on the market.
A dry cell works due to chemical reaction whereby some solution (usually an acid) eats a metal and produces electrify.

 

[Jim Nelson]

I've had a few rechargeables in solar landscape lights leak and mess them up.

 

[Sodo]

Currently fighting with this keyboard. There's more batteries in that hole, got one out as you can see, with a wood screw. I don't remember how many more batteries are in there, will consider myself lucky if I can get them out.

:fishing:

 

[ultrarunner]

Clever using a self tapping screw to pry out the battery.

 

[SandburRanch]

I haven't had much of a problem since the Raovac and Everyready days. If it doesn't say Duracell I don't buy it. That equipment that comes with other cheeeeep brands gets a fresh start with Duracell PDQ.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I have had many leaking Duracell batteries in the last few years. Also had a couple of 9 volt that were completely dead in the pack that had good till 2019 on them. One had visible corrosion on the bottom and the other one was just dead. I don't think any of the batteries are corrosion proof. I have had button batteries, AA, AAA, C, D & 9 volt lead. I don't buy the cheapo brands, usually Duracell and occasionally Eveready. The cheap Chicom ones mostly don't produce the stated voltage. I bought some one time and tried them in a camera, instantly it said low battery. I finally used them up in my AA flashlight.
I have some Duracell in the computer keyboard that I am using right now that have been in there for 2+ years and still work fine. The mouse burns thru them pretty fast though. The only thing I use lithium on is my laser site on my 9mm handgun, I want it to function perfectly when needed.