Reliability of batteries and their damage to equipment

[holmesuser01]

I bought a package of DieHard batteries (AAA) at Kmart one day. There were 10 in the pack.

I used 4 of them, and the next time I needed batteries, I found that the other 6 had burst. I looked at the 4 I had used in remotes, and found that even though the remote still worked, they had burst, too.

I'm not too happy about this, as one of the remotes is very old, and loaded with functions that are not on the machine it is controlling!! You know this problem.

[KentTeffeteller]

My One Touch/Animas Ping insulin pump is Energizer Lithium/Duracell/Energizer alkaline AA battery only. This device gets Energizer Lithium AA only.

[mbates14]

I still have an original 1980s radio shack 9v that was in an RC Car remote, the battery was still reading about 8.6v when I found it.

[Jon A.]

Originally Posted by KentTeffeteller

My One Touch/Animas Ping insulin pump is Energizer Lithium/Duracell/Energizer alkaline AA battery only. This device gets Energizer Lithium AA only.

No wonder, that would be an expensive loss.

There's a small box of batteries on my bench that are either dead or were old and removed as a precaution, I have been meaning to get rid of them. One of them *just* took a puke. The fizzling sound startled me.

[KentTeffeteller]

It would be a very, very expensive financial hit. Thousands of dollars worth. That is also why it is carried on the station insurance on the technical equipment.

[lnx64]

Speaking of batteries.

Went to pick up my modern tube receivers remote today, and noticed it was dead. It worked last night.

Went to go check the batteries, and nearly dropped it on the table when I saw this.



I saw that, and quickly realized, I need to check my remotes before THIS happens now.. The batteries expire next year..

[Jon A.]

Originally Posted by KentTeffeteller

It would be a very, very expensive financial hit. Thousands of dollars worth. That is also why it is carried on the station insurance on the technical equipment.

I recall a local fundraiser being held to buy someone an insulin pump. The family wasn't rich, but they weren't exactly poor either. Like seeing eye dogs, they ought to be free of charge to those in need. I don't understand the station insurance on the technical equipment bit.

Originally Posted by lnx64

Speaking of batteries.

Went to pick up my modern tube receivers remote today, and noticed it was dead. It worked last night.

Went to go check the batteries, and nearly dropped it on the table when I saw this.



I saw that, and quickly realized, I need to check my remotes before THIS happens now.. The batteries expire next year..

I say ditch alkaline altogether. They can go bust regardless of expiration date, even the "better" ones.

[kvflyer]

I have had exactly the same thing happen to my equipment.

First, we all have many more items that are battery operated. So, we have more opportunity to that corrosion.

I have had every brand of battery exhibit the problem. It started with Eveready batteries. They still had two years on the use by date. They corroded and ruined my Nikon Speed Light, not a cheap item. No real indication that something was going on since it still worked... a little.

Next, I don't see the battery companies even coming close to offering to replace anything caused by corrosion.

Last, one common denominator in all of the battery issues... China. Made cheaper = much higher profit for the battery companies...

[Jon A.]

Originally Posted by kvflyer

Last, one common denominator in all of the battery issues... China. Made cheaper = much higher profit for the battery companies...

That makes sense. The common denominator for almost all electronic equipment. I suppose lithium batteries aren't made there. There's one kind of equipment that will probably never be made in China though: medical equipment. Imagine the lawsuits because of crappy Chinese equipment breaking and killing patients whose lives depend on the stuff.

[Ed in Tx]

Originally Posted by kvflyer

Last, one common denominator in all of the battery issues... China. Made cheaper = much higher profit for the battery companies...

Been using "Made in U.S.A." D and 9V "Duracell Procell" batteries the past few years, and so far no leak problems. Various dealers on Amazon sell these. Pretty impressive life I've noticed with the D cells. I have a Sangean portable radio that uses D cells and they last a long time in that radio, pretty sure longer than any other alkaline D cells I've tried. Have not tried the AA batteries though.

[Dude111]

Originally Posted by mbates14

I still have an original 1980s radio shack 9v that was in an RC Car remote, the battery was still reading about 8.6v when I found it.

Ah you have one that was STILL MADE GOOD!!

Ya I have had some batteries leak,what a mess they make in the battery compartment!!

[Jon A.]

I find that 9 volt batteries rarely leak. I saw a remote with corrosion on the battery terminals, but other than that, nothing.

[VintagePC]

Originally Posted by KV-1926R

I find that 9 volt batteries rarely leak. I saw a remote with corrosion on the battery terminals, but other than that, nothing.

That might well arise from the inner construction - many 9v batteries contain 6 AAAA cells within, so if those leak, there's still the outer "shell" to contain the mess.

[Jon A.]

Originally Posted by VintagePC

That might well arise from the inner construction - many 9v batteries contain 6 AAAA cells within, so if those leak, there's still the outer "shell" to contain the mess.

Good enough for me. I had an alkaline 9-volt backup battery go dead in an alarm clock earlier this year, but no mess. The 9-volt lithiums I see would probably be overkill. I have some remotes that use 9-volt batteries. One theory of mine is that they could be made to more stringent standards (the outer shell) because of their use in smoke detectors.

[VintagePC]

Originally Posted by KV-1926R

Good enough for me. I had an alkaline 9-volt backup battery go dead in an alarm clock earlier this year, but no mess. The 9-volt lithiums I see would probably be overkill. I have some remotes that use 9-volt batteries. One theory of mine is that they could be made to more stringent standards (the outer shell) because of their use in smoke detectors.

Conveniently on-topic episode of EEVBlog today for those interested:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9JGfoLxVCo