Shelf Life -- a tid bit

[photonhoer]

I just happened to come across a 4-pack of Energizer C-cell alkaline batts in my junk drawer. This is a cell size I almost NEVER use, so I was about to recycle them when I noticed the "best used by" date: Dec. 1999.

Just out of curiosity, I put them on my ZTS MBT-1, and lo and behold they all tested 100%.

I for one was surprised to find they held up so well 9 years past their stamped date. Does anyone know if this is typical?

John

 

[Sgt. LED]

WOW somebody was doing a good job at the factory that day!

I wonder if they are more likley to ooze now? :thinking:

 

[american lockpicker]

I'm using a Duracell "Best if installed by Jan 2002" in my Arc right now.

 

[naked2]

photonhoer, I'm not familiar with the ZTS testers, how do they work?
I wonder how the ZTS's circuitry comes up with a percentage value, is it simply a voltage reading, converted into a percentage?


I use a DMM, and most brand new Alk. cells read higher than the label. For example, I bought a Leatherman Blast/Fenix L1Tv2 combo at Costo recently. The Duracell AA that came in the package read 1.65V., and I've had Energizer AAA lithiums read as high as 1.9V.

 

[Black Rose]

I use a DMM, and most brand new Alk. cells read higher than the label. For example, I bought a Leatherman Blast/Fenix L1Tv2 combo at Costo recently. The Duracell AA that came in the package read 1.65V., and I've had Energizer AAA lithiums read as high as 1.9V.

Are those measurements with a load or without?

The DMM I use has a battery tester that puts a load oon the battery to get the voltage.

 

[naked2]

Are those measurements with a load or without?

The DMM I use has a battery tester that puts a load oon the battery to get the voltage.

No load; mine doesn't have that setting. Does yours put the same load on any cell, regardless of voltage, capacity, or chemistry?

 

[Black Rose]

No load; mine doesn't have that setting. Does yours put the same load on any cell, regardless of voltage, capacity, or chemistry?

It has a 1.5V and 9V setting for the battery tester.

I only use it on alkaline, NiMh, and Energizer L91/L92 lithium cells and set it for 1.5V.

 

[FlashInThePan]

I bought a Leatherman Blast/Fenix L1Tv2 combo at Costo recently.

They're selling Fenix at Costco now? That'd be good news...

- FITP

 

[naked2]

They're selling Fenix at Costco now? That'd be good news...

- FITP

The flashlight has been re-branded as Leatherman, but since I own one, I can confirm it is in fact a L1Tv2! So as not to take away from the OP, instead of discussing it here, there's this thread on CPFMP about it.

 

[Lynx_Arc]

I am guessing the C cell was before the capacity race came about and had sturdier components making for lower self discharge and that with starting at perhap 1.57v it probably was at 1.49v when you got it out which is still good on testers. C and D cells 1.45v and above have perhaps 90% capacity left I would guess.

 

[photonhoer]

I am guessing the C cell was before the capacity race came about and had sturdier components making for lower self discharge and that with starting at perhap 1.57v it probably was at 1.49v when you got it out which is still good on testers. C and D cells 1.45v and above have perhaps 90% capacity left I would guess.

Thanks, I appreciate the on-topic reply.

 

[Guy's Dropper]

I found a couple of old alkaline Energizer batteries that expired in 2000. Somehow, the indicator on the battery reads almost full.

 

[Lynx_Arc]

the problem these days is not having batteries last long in storage but having them LEAK.... I have had too many alkalines measuring over 1.5v leak on me. I would rather the capacity go down 20% and leakage to decrease to nothing.

 

[naked2]

photonhoer, I'm not familiar with the ZTS testers, how do they work?
I wonder how the ZTS's circuitry comes up with a percentage value, is it simply a voltage reading, converted into a percentage?


I use a DMM, and most brand new Alk. cells read higher than the label. For example, I bought a Leatherman Blast/Fenix L1Tv2 combo at Costo recently. The Duracell AA that came in the package read 1.65V., and I've had Energizer AAA lithiums read as high as 1.9V.

Thanks, I appreciate the on-topic reply.

Could you answer my original on-topic questions?

 

[HKJ]

photonhoer, I'm not familiar with the ZTS testers, how do they work?
I wonder how the ZTS's circuitry comes up with a percentage value, is it simply a voltage reading, converted into a percentage?

The ZTS tester puts a load on the battery, but they do not explain how they calculate the percent.

You can see the testers here.

 

[photonhoer]

The ZTS tester puts a load on the battery, but they do not explain how they calculate the percent.

You can see the testers here.

HKJ is correct, as far as I know. The ZTS testers have been used and endorsed by a number of the 'pros' (e.g., high posters and acknowledged wise guys) on the Forum. I do not know how they work beyond the "pulse testing" phrase on their literature. Apparently, they do put a load (calibrated to the batt) on the batt and seem to give good and consistent results.

Sorry I cannot explain more. I only included the name of the tester as a reference point for someone responding to my OP.

John

 

[MManley]

Found some Maxell Super Power Ace(lulz?) sitting in my R/C servo tester when I was looking for my old R/C car a week ago.

They expired in 2002 and still are at 90% of their charge. :O

Not bad for alkalines. Atleast, I think they are alkalines. Doesn't say anywhere that they are lithums.

 

[Lynx_Arc]

if they were lithiums you could compare the weight to another known alkaline battery of the same type and the lithium would be noticeably lighter.

 

[MManley]

Hmm, good idea.

 

[Lynx_Arc]

oh and another thing.. I have never heard of maxells making lithium versions of standard alkaline batteries (1.5v) I think energizer has that market patent locked for the time being..... perhaps soon there will be other brands that are not *generic* when their patent expires