A good article from Modern Survival Blog on why batteries (focusing on AA and AAA in particular) will leak and corrode. It is mostly a problem with alkaline batteries because, due to the chemical reaction driving the production of electricity, hydrogen gas can build up and the pressure can rupture the seals on the ends of the battery and/or the metal body of the battery. To avoid leaks and corrosion damaging electronics, the author recommends buying Energizer MAX brand batteries, which are guaranteed not to leak, or to remove batteries from devices that won't be used for significant periods of time.
My experience is that problems with leaks and corrosion are disproportionately high with cheap batteries--particularly the bulk packs of inexpensive off-brand batteries you can pick up at Costco. A good brand, such as Duracell and Energizer are less likely to give you problems over the long run. So, for instance, while I continue to buy the cheap Costco batteries for TV remotes or video game controllers, where there is a high turnover in battery usage, I've turned to higher quality batteries to use in equipment that may sit for awhile or, as the author suggests, remove the batteries.
I recently came across Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries which claim a 20 year shelf-life, leak resistant, and good performance under extremes of temperature. I bought some AAA to use in pocket flashlight and see how they work, but may put more aside for long term storage if I like them. Duracell also had some long term storage batteries. Again, it might be cost effective to buy these batteries for everything, but if they work well, I will probably put these in flashlights and other items.
I use a lot of AA and AAA batteries in various devices - flash lights, GPS receivers, calculators, and radios. I have used several different name brand alkaline batteries (Duracell, Energizer, Rayovac), and various Chinese-manufactured store brand alkaline batteries. They all leak, and they don't need to have been sitting in an unused device for a long period of time. They all leak in their unopened packages. They all leak in expensive devices. They all leak in cheap devices. They all leak sitting unused on a desk.
ReplyDeleteJust this past week, I received a battery powered device I'd purchased off ebay. The seller had been nice enough to install a set of fresh (manufactured last December) Energizer MAX batteries in the device. The device did not power up when I received it, so I opened up the battery compartment to discover that one of the batteries had leaked, creating quite a mess inside the battery compartment. The only thing the Energizer "guarantee" does is promise to repair or replace a device damaged by one of their alkaline batteries - they have had this guarantee for several decades. This guarantee is great if you have a device that can be easily repaired by the manufacturer or replaced. If you have a no-longer-supported device or a device not easily repaired, you will just get a check for the estimated replacement value.
The only primary (not rechargeable) AA and AAA batteries I have not seen leak are the Energizer lithium (lithium iron disulfide) batteries. I have put them in devices I want to store with batteries installed (flashlights, GPS receivers, electronic gun sights), where testing Energizer's guarantee is not an adequate solution.
My only complaint about Energizer Lithium batteries is that they are expensive - you get what you pay for.
Note: I have never seen regular 3 volt lithium primary batteries (e.g. CR123A, CR2032) leak.
Good to know. Thanks.
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