My experience with alkaline AA and AAA batteries is horrible.Due to battery leakage I have lost a Nikon camera flash $350, a spelling checker $40, a wall thermostat $50, a bathroom scale $30, two wall clocks $20, and a analog multimeter $40. Total loss $530!!!!!
And that's just what I can remember right know.
The clocks, bathroom scale, and spelling checker were still running fine.
I googled this subject and got a massive result. It turns out this is a common occurrence. There are lots of people with experiences very similar to mine.
It turns out all alkaline AA and AAA batteries leak. The brand does not seem to matter.
They even leak just sitting in the package before their expiration date. Their stated 10 year shelf life is a complete joke and a lie.
C and D alkalines don't seem to have a leakage problem, only the AA and AAAs.
Also my research shows this is a relatively recent problem, only showing up in the past 10 to 15 years. It seems like something changed 10 to 15 years ago and now the batteries are crap.
Many knowledgeable people recommended Energizer lithium batteries. They said Energizer lithium batteries
never leak.
I now use only Energizer lithium batteries. They are expensive, but there is no other choice.
I guess you could use those eneloop rechargeables, but I don't know much about them. I have heard a lot of people are using them.
Back when I looked up this information, I was so mad I made a record of what I found. It's a bit long but here it is if anyone's interested:#############################################################################
Leaking Duracell, Energizer,& Rayovac batteriesDuracell, Kaneohe, Hawaii Complaints & Reviews - Leaking batteries
Posted: 2009-12-19 by gb o
Kaneohe, Hawaii
United States
Hi all,
I want to warn everyone to stay away form Duracell batteries. I have been using Duracell batteries for years and in the past I have been very pleased with the batteries, but not anymore. We have been buying our batteries form Costco and recently I went to start my annual changing of the batteries in various devices and lo and behold I found leaking Duracell batteries not just one and not just in one appliance, but multiples in a variety of different devices. I found the following:
1. Two leaking double AA batteries in a Force FX collector’s edition Light Saber, not easily replaceable. It took me two hours to cleanup the mess it made
2. Two leaking AA batteries in a $ 300.00 R/C car, (for the servos). Fortunately, these were in a battery holder and did no damage to the car itself – time to clean up the mess 30 minutes
3. Two AA batteries in another car remote control, time to clean and repair 2 hours
4. Four leaking AAA batteries in a Minolta SLR camera – time to clean up and repair 2.5 hours.
5. Two leaking AA batteries in a TV remote control, I had to buy a new one of these, (thanks P&G)
6. Three leaking AAA batteries in an X10 remote light controller, it had to go to that great electronic round file in the sky, (again thanks P&G).
I’m still not done. I am going through the house checking everything that takes a battery wall clocks, alarm clock etc.
Cost in my time far 6 hours, (so far) plus the cost of having to replace two pieces of equipment that were total losses and that fact that the other things I was able to cleanup and repair are no longer in the pristine condition I’ve always tried to keep them in. Further, all these batteries were within their acceptable use dates and what’s more other brand batteries that were installed in similar devices at the same time are fine.
Proctor & Gamble huh? gamble is right, they have apparently tried to save money by going with a cheaper manufacturer and it shows.
Not only have they lost a long time customer, but I will be posting this to every complaint board I can find and warning all my friends to stay away from Duracell batteries and will be returning what batteries I have left to Costco if they will take them back.
P&G you are a classic case of penny wise and pound foolish.
Does anybody know of a class action lawsuit in respects to quality issues/leaking problems with Duracell batteries I can join?
BTW the photo shows only some of the bad batteries, I should have kept them all and took picture of them plus the damaged devices before I cleaned/repaired and/or threw them away.
OMG I’m ANGRY!!!
Sincerely,
A FORMER Duracell customer
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Duracell Complaints & Reviews - Leaked
Posted: 2011-08-11 by P R Suresh Samuel
I had bought 8 DURACELL AA batteries expiring in 2013. I had fixed 4 batteries on my SLR a few weeks back. When I tried to use the camera it was not working. When I opened the battery compartment, I find that the DURACELL batteries have leaked & the camera is damaged beyond repair. I have the other 4 batteries in their original packing & I find that these DURACELL batteries have also leaked. I had made a customer complaint & since P&G wanted to collect the proof & evidences without a commitment, I refused to send the leaked batteries in the original packing & the damaged camera. It is interesting to note from Customer Service that it is the policy of P&G not to share the email ID's of their senior officers for escalating a complaint. Man, if this is the case let us all join & put in some sense that no company can exist without "CUSTOMER SATISFACTION.
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Post subject: Posted: Jul Fri 23, 2010 2:57 pm
Use the PROCELL line and not the "copper-top" line.
At work in the shop, and on our high-def tv remote trucks, we exclusively use the Procells for all our battery operated broadcast equipment; wireless IFB, mixers, wireless mics, etc., and never have had leak issues.
Chuck Schwark,
The Philco Repair Bench
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Post subject: Eveready Energizer Batteries Leaking
Posted: Jul Fri 23, 2010 2:25 pm
Location: Baltimore, MD, USA
Recently, I have had two flashlights destroyed by Energizer AAA batteries. The expiration date was 2012. I have had the battery pack of my David Clark headphones damaged by Energizer AA batteries 2013 and just recently, my Nikon Speedlight strobe, very expensive, damaged by Energizer AA batteries 2012. To say the least, I am not happy. Also, I replaced the batteries in my Son-in-law's weather station. They were C batteries and the one had swelled up and was hard to get out. Mind you, all of these devices still worked!!!
Don
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Posted: Jul Fri 23, 2010 3:30 pm
I prefer not to use Eveready batteries. They can leak long before batteries are bad. If you have Eveready batteries wrap them in plastic. This reduces damage from leakage.
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Tendency to leak?, January 10, 2009
By A. Wiersch (Lantana, TX USA
Rayovac Alkaline Batteries AA Size
My experience has been that these batteries leak more than other brands like Duracell, Energizer, and Kirkland. And the battery was even dated DEC 2012 (it was Dec 2008 when this happened). I am not buying these anymore.
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Rayovac leaks!, January 1, 2011
By Mr Tweedy (Cornfield County, USA)
Rayovac Alkaline Batteries AA Size
I've used all the major brands of alkaline batteries and they all leak, but Rayovac batteries leak sooner than others. Why are Rayovac batteries so much cheaper than the other brands? I'm guessing that it is not because of their superiority in manufacturing productivity. More likely, they use a thinner metal casing that corrodes faster. No more Rayovac for me!
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Here's the info I found on lithium batteries.Thread: Lithium vs. Alkaline AA batteries...leaking potential--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
02-02-2012, 08:38 AM #2 ragweed
I have had several Alkalines leak over the years. Switched to Lithiums & never had a problem with them. Eneloops are worry free also.
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02-02-2012, 08:39 AM #3 Helmut.G
I've never heard of a Lithium AA leaking.
btw, never buy zinc-carbon batteries. They are often called "heavy duty" or "super heavy duty" and are a few cents cheaper than alkaline, but they suck.
They leak much more than alkaline, they have less capacity, way way less power, they just suck.
The only reason they're still being manufactured is people trying to save a few cents.
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02-02-2012, 10:03 AM #4 varmint
Question: Is a lithium battery safe in any device that uses alkaline? (same size batteries) (aaa)
02-02-2012, 10:11 AM #5 Helmut.G
No. Lithiums have a higher resting voltage as well as voltage under load and are capable of giving an electrical consumer much, much more power.
Some devices are designed to work with batteries in a way that relies on the battery's weakness and can't handle the power.
But most properly designed devices shouldn't have problems.
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02-02-2012, 01:00 PM #6 NeonLights
I've had countless flashlights (mostly Maglites) and other electronic devices ruined over the years from leaking alkalines. I still use alkalines in some devices, like remote controls, calculators and other devices that get used frequently, and are likely to have the batteries replaced within 6-8 months anyways. For most of my AAA and AA flashlights, especially those that stay in our cars for emergency use and are subject to temperature extremes, and my sit for 2-3 years with minimal use, I always use Energizer lithium cells. I've never had a lithium AA or AAA leak in the 8-10 years I've been using them. I did have one vent in a single AA Infinity Ultra a few years back, but no harm was done to the light,
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02-02-2012, 09:48 PM #7 angelofwar
Lithiums, as a rule, do not leak. If you buy a light, chekc the packaging etc. to see if it takes them. Sometimes they will list it on te package. If not, you may or may not fry the electronics. I think I fried two of my Inova X1's this way. But, as stated, a properly built item should be able to handle the initial higher voltage. The lithiums are great for leaving them in your items for extended periods, and knowing they will work. I left lithiums in my Insight M4 for 5-6 years, and it always worked like a champ.
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02-03-2012, 12:21 AM #9 angelofwar
Stick with the lithiums N/A and you should be good...yes, alkalines still leak...alot!
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02-03-2012, 12:41 AM #10 ZMZ67
I have never had lithium batteries leak and use them in almost all my AA and AAA lights.Alkalines have leaked repeatedly for me,especially in flashlights.Alkalines seem to be better in low draw devices like remote controls but the leak potential is still there.Some lights/devices may not be able to stand the extra power of lithium AA/AAA so as A.O.W. stated check the packaging /specs.
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02-03-2012, 01:42 PM #11 vali
For me is just simple:
- Lithium AA for those lights that will probably not be used in a lot of time (more than 1 year): Emergency lights, car keychain...
- Eneloops (or any other NiMH LSD) for those lights you use more.
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02-05-2012, 03:10 PM #12 fnj
I have NEVER seen a report of an Energizer L91/L92 or Eneloop leaking under ANY conditions, nor a confirmed and believable report of an L91/L92 (or Eneloop, obviously) causing damage to any apparatus rated for alkalines.
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Well that was pretty long.
Does anybody have similar experiences?
Bye for now,
Gary