"Leakproof" Batteries that Leak

[AEHaas]

In years gone by I have had several Duracell and Eveready AAA, AA, C and D cells that leaked inside devices if not used for several years. I got smart and now have a schedule to replace all batteries periodically and remove them altogether from devices not routinely used. These are for primary alkaline type batteries.

One Maglite I had was replaced by Duracell because the batteries leaked and were stuck solid, no chance for cleaning nor repair.

Should one put in Lithium, 10 or 15 year, batteries into devices not often used and forget it? Why do they advertise them as not leaking when clearly they all leak with time?

I have a lot of stuff with batteries in my garage:

aehaas

 

[paulr]

Nobody in their right mind has ever said alkaline batteries are leakproof. They leak and we all know that.

I don't think it's advisable to leave batteries in flashlights for years at a time unused, including lithiums. I do it anyway sometimes because it's convenient, but in general it's preferable to keep the batteries outside the flashlights. Lithiums don't leak as much as alkalines but they do leak too. There is no such thing as a leakproof battery.

 

[TPA]

I think I'd be most worried about batteries leaking in that Merc in the back of your garage the most. Flipping around the 'net, it appears it only uses a single 12v battery, is this correct? I thought Merc was moving to 42v systems.

 

[AEHaas]

If you are talking about the Maybach, it has 2 12v batteries. All 5 vehicles are part of the issue. They all carry flashlights but never get any use, except for the Expedition.

It would be difficult to be groping for batteries if you breakdown or lose your car battery at night.

aehaas

...And it (the Merc) is in the middle of the garage.

 

[Robin24k]

What about rechargeables? NiMH doesn't leak (they do self-discharge, so you'll want Eneloops/Duraloops).

Lithiums shouldn't leak because they are "solid", given that they aren't subjected to extreme temperatures in the summer.

 

[AEHaas]

How about your basic Surefire 10 year CR123's? Can those be left in the lights up to the date on the label if they are never used?

aehaas

 

[Illum]

It won't have the same runtime as you will have 10 years ago, but for low currents they should power up quite well, I find that they are incredibly optimistic since cr123As have not been used in lights for 10 years. I keep them at 5 years as maximum, but rarely do my cr123A stock remains after 2 years.

 

[Mik]

I've had the same happen with various brands and sizes of alkalines over the years. One common thing I've noticed is that it typically happens with cells that have been sitting in devices beyond the expiration, or 'use by' date. I don't recall personally seeing any cells let loose without them being really old.

If you are storing battery powered devices in high dollar transportation like you've shown in your photo, you may want to use high quality lithium cells and just replace all of them once per year with new stock even if they have never been used. You could always cycle the 1yr old cells into devices in less important areas, or give them to the kids to use in toys. This may even be excessive, but if you actually own an Enzo and a Maybach at the same time, you are certainly not opposed to doing things in excess. :thumbsup:

 

[Light Sabre]

What about rechargeables? NiMH doesn't leak (they do self-discharge, so you'll want Eneloops/Duraloops).

I have had 2 NMH's leak, but it has been a minimal amount. Not sure if I caught them early, or that they had leaked and been sitting for a longer time. The leakage was only on the battery and didn't spread like alkalines.

I have even had one L91 lithium leak, only on the battery, and it was very easy to clean up.

I haven't even had that many alkalines leak either.

It could be the drier climate and/or the altitude here in Boulder, CO that may have been a contributing factors.