Reliability of batteries and their damage to equipment

Over the years working as a service tech I have seen a great deal of electronic equipment destroyed/damaged by leaking batteries.

Because of that, I have not used the ordinary carbon/zinc type of battery for years. Instead, I use either Ni-MH batteries, or whenever voltage sensitive items are used, I use Alkaline batteries. Lately, I have found two cases of an Alkaline battery leaking. In all my years of servicing these are the only cases that I have ever heard of. I wonder if the manufacturers of batteries are doing something to lower the cost of production.

When standing in the check-out line at the local $2.00 shop, I frequently see cheap zinc/carbon batteries on the hangers, that are clearly bloated and having an internal hemorrhage. The acidic discharge of these batteries does not have to contact the equipment to do damage, the fumes alone are enough to do great damage.

I advise all collectors, enthusiasts, to not leave batteries in their equipment, unless inspected weekly. Even the precaution of using Alkaline batteries can no longer be considered as fail safe insurance.

Now to further my theory, note, I said theory, not theorem, I am posting photographs of 1. A leaking Alkaline battery, 2. A couple of 80 year old batteries from one of my coffin radios. The C batteries are still providing voltage and current after all this time. (Tested with a 20,000 ohm per volt meter) which is harder on the batteries than a grid circuit of some valves.

Anyway, have a look at the photographs. I welcome your thoughts on this subject.

Wayne End of part 1