...oh, how I hate thee.

Good thru "DEC 2023". My ass!

Was in my computer mouse. Mouse started acting strange. Took out batteries and found this one like this. The other battery was fine.

I cleaned out the inside of the mouse as best I could and replaced with Amazon brand AA batteries.

Over the past 5 years I've had problems with every brand of AA batteries that I've tried.

I know that Duracell and Eveready will pay to replace items that are damaged by their batteries. I don't know if there is a dollar limit but both have replaced flashlights and/or other items. Duracell is by far the easier of the two to work with to get a refund. Everady makes you jump through a few hoops.

Last week I noticed an error message on our thermostat indicating it needed new AAA batteries. You guessed it, one had leaked. Luckily, the thermostat was not damaged.

The mouse still works. I used a slightly moist Q-tip to clean out most of the leakage, blew it out with some canned air and got as much of it off of the springy piece deep inside that contacts the negative end of the battery.

I dumped Duracell years ago after having to clean my thermostat & a couple of other items. I now buy Ray-O-Vac at Walmart & replace everything yearly.

Question: Are lithium batteries more leak-resistant than alkaline?

Yes, they cost more, but if they don't leak, and last longer, they might well be worth the cost.

Ive seen many similar reports about Duracell batteries, and it baffles me. I’ve used many Duracells over many years: AA, D, and 9v. But I’ve never seen one leak. I do have e-calendar reminders to change them periodically, whether they’re expired or not. Every two years for most.

Duracell used to be my go-to for alkalines, but over the past seven years or so, they've all been leak after leak. And yes, I have had a lot of flashlights and electronics rendered useless due to the leaks. I've sworn them off.

Ironically, I've had better luck w/ the AA & AAA batteries I get for free-with-coupon at Harbor Freight.

I've also had a disproportionately high number of Duracell's leak, mostly AA's. They ruined the electronic flash I (used to) use with my camera. Whenever I need to buy new batteries, I buy Eveready's now. I've been using some lithiums, but haven't really seen the increase in lifespan that they're touted to have.

Anyone had experience with rechargeable AA batteries in electronic devices WRT any leakage?

We have been buying the Costco Kirkland batteries, they come in bulk, are less expensive, sometimes get Duracell at Costco, depends on the price.

I can't recall any of the kirklands leaking out, though they probably have, JMO they all do that, you just have to replace them.

Get some di-electric grease and put a dab on each end of the device you put batteries into, that will help reduce corrosion on the contacts

I stopped buying Duracells a while back. Like others, I've had persistent leakage issues with AA and AAA batts in AV remotes, presenter clickers, laser pointers, portable radio, walkie talkies, etc. And I have also had leakage in MagLites with D batts as well. Never a problem with 9 volts.

I have been using Energizer Lithium AA & AAA and so far no leakage in the past 2 years. And I haven't used MagLites in years.

If the battery is in an enclosed compartment for a long period, open it occasionally and vent the compartment.

quote:

Originally posted by 229DAK:
Anyone had experience with rechargeable AA batteries in electronic devices WRT any leakage?

I’ve used NiMH AA and AAA rechargeable batteries in numerous electronics and never had any of them leak. Some are 15+ years old and, while they aren’t as good as when new, still hold enough of a charge to operate devices. All mine are the low discharge types which trade a little capacity for the ability to minimize self discharge.

I've been using the bulk pack rayovacs for a few years now (local hardware store has them on sale a couple times a year) and haven't had any leak - even in the flashlights I keep in the vehicles (hot in the summer - down to -30 in the winter).

Standard Energizer are the worst, have seen enough of them corroding straight from the manufacturer, in the packaging.

quote:

Originally posted by tsmccull:

quote:

Originally posted by 229DAK:
Anyone had experience with rechargeable AA batteries in electronic devices WRT any leakage?

I’ve used NiMH AA and AAA rechargeable batteries in numerous electronics and never had any of them leak. Some are 15+ years old and, while they aren’t as good as when new, still hold enough of a charge to operate devices. All mine are the low discharge types which trade a little capacity for the ability to minimize self discharge.

Same here. Been using Eneloop batteries and recharging them over and over for around 15 years. No leaks or problems.

I must have been born under a battery angel because I've been buying the Duracell bulk packs from Costco for years and have never had a failure. I love my angel.

Jim

In 2017, there was a thread on here about how Duracell Procells were better and that is what was installed in many medical devices.

From an Amazon supplier named Diabetes Health Supplies I bought:

48 AAA

48 AA

12 9V

In every size, I have found them to be inferior AmazonBasics Alkaline Batteries. For example, in a timer for automatically turning on the garden hose I'd get 3+ months out of the AA AmazonBasics versus being lucky to get 1 month out of the Duracell Procell.

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Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity

DISCLAIMER: These are the author's own personal views and do not represent the views of the author's employer.

quote:

Originally posted by 229DAK:
Anyone had experience with rechargeable AA batteries in electronic devices WRT any leakage?

Yes, I've been using both Duracell and CVS brand rechargeables for many years now (15?) and have never had a leak. When they do occassionally go bad, they simply short out and stop working. Even that seems to happen less and less. I won't use any brand of alkalines any longer. Not worth it in the long run.

We don't use alkaleak batteries at all, any more. If it's something we use constantly (e.g.: remotes) it gets NiMH rechargeables (e.g.: Eneloops). If it's something that is used only intermittently (e.g: my electronic ears) or needs to operate in extreme cold (e.g.: outdoor weather sensors), it gets Energizer lithium primary cells.

N.B.: IME, Kirkland alkaleaks are the worst I ever used. I had them start leaking in their packaging.