The pitfalls of long lasting "quality" batteries!

[thesuper]

I just made a horrible discovery! I have several quality flashlightes, big and small. Due to economy (and eco) considerations I always try to go for torches that offer extended running times per set of batteries, as well as output. This means (hopefuly) long periods between changing batteries. All good so far. However, today I checked my Gerber Sonic (1xAAA) and Infinity (1xAA) both still shining brightly, but on removing the batteries BOTH were leaking!! The AAA was an Energiser and the AA a Duracell, "quality" brands. Both torches kept indoors, in dry places, not abused, more or less kept as backups. What gives? Luckily no real damage done, nothing that abit of TLC wont sort out. But from now on I will be routinely checking ALL my torches on a regular basis, to hopefuly prevent this happening again. Anyone else found this out the hard way?

[jzmtl]

The sun rises every morning, alkaline batteries leak, just things that will happen.

For storage either take them out or use NiMH/lithium.

[thesuper]

Are lithium guaranteed to be leak free? I have already bought several packs of AA and AAA lithiums. I was waiting for my current stock of alkaline batt's to be used up before using them, but I think I will start using them now, if thats the case.

[BlueDot]

Every year there is a big push to change batteries in smoke detectors when you set clocks to Daylight Saving time.  One year I tried to find every flashlight in the house/car/garage and replace batteries.

1) I didn't realize I had so many lights.
2)I can't afford to keep them all powered, and renewed yearly.

As a result, I re-thought my flashlight philosophy and now I keep fresh batteries in the kitchen junk drawer, and only 6 lights are juiced-up at the moment.  The rest are available for planned events, like hikes, particular jobs, or rotation with the primary lights.

[Zack]

Are lithium guaranteed to be leak free? I have already bought several packs of AA and AAA lithiums. I was waiting for my current stock of alkaline batt's to be used up before using them, but I think I will start using them now, if thats the case.

I've had an energizer lithium AA in my River Rock AA light for nearly a year and half now.  Still good...no leaks.

[edap617]

That happened to my Mini Maglite 2xAA. The Energizer leaked and the inside on the body tube was full of rust. For my valuable AAA and AA LED lights I only use NimH.

[jzmtl]

Are lithium guaranteed to be leak free? I have already bought several packs of AA and AAA lithiums. I was waiting for my current stock of alkaline batt's to be used up before using them, but I think I will start using them now, if thats the case.

I've never ever heard of a lithium battery leak.

[BlueDot]

Not sure if they still do, but I had some batteries leak in a maglight.  I don't remember what battery brand, but they guaranteed against leakage, and actually replaced the light when I sent it to them.

It took, like, 6 months to get it back, and I actually forgot about it.  Anyway, this was one in the truck, and I'm sure the winter/summer temperature cycles didn't help.

[thesuper]

Many years ago I had a 3 cell (D size) Maglite where the Duracell batt's leaked, practicaly welding themselves inside, I never did manage to get them out, ended up just binning it. That was a £40 torch back then, about 15trs ago. But I had dropped it a couple of times, so blamed myself.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I recycled all my alkaline batteries, as there just not reliable for long term storage

The greenest, longest running batteries I currently use are eneloops, and couldn't be happier with them

[Millhouse]

All of my lights in EDC rotation are powered by Sanyo Eneloop.

I have 2 emergency lights that are loaded with Lithium AA. Both are about 2 years old and absolutely no problems.

[Gareth]

I haven't had a alkaline battery leak on me in years, I honestly can't think of when it last happened.  That said I now tend to use NiMH or Eneloops in most of my torches, with only a 2xD maglite and a 2xC tesco light still on alkaline cells.

[NutSAK]

I NEVER store alkaline batteries in a flashlight, due to the possibility of leakage.  I prefer Lithium for storage, NiMH or Li-Ion for daily use.

[Neil]

Even good alkalines will leak eventually, Ye canna change the laws of chemistry!

Every year there is a big push to change batteries in smoke detectors when you set clocks to Daylight Saving time.  One year I tried to find every flashlight in the house/car/garage and replace batteries.

1) I didn't realize I had so many lights.
2)I can't afford to keep them all powered, and renewed yearly.

As a result, I re-thought my flashlight philosophy and now I keep fresh batteries in the kitchen junk drawer, and only 6 lights are juiced-up at the moment.  The rest are available for planned events, like hikes, particular jobs, or rotation with the primary lights.

And its this cost that finally drove my to sell me 3D and 6D Mags at the carboot sale on Sunday.  They were good torches and served me well but buying nine quality D size cells was not going to happen 

[Millhouse]

Neil, what are you going to  with now.


Back on track - when I was using alkalines, I only had one that leaked. Totally ruined an Inova X1.

[Gareth]

OK that's it, I'm off to take the batteries out of my maglite and tesco LED.  I just like them to much to run the risk.

[Sazabi]

OK that's it, I'm off to take the batteries out of my maglite and tesco LED.  I just like them to much to run the risk.

Yeah, although I didn't have an Alkaline leak, I did have one expand within my Fenix E01, making the head almost impossible to remove so the battery could then be removed... after that close call, I switched to Eneloops and haven't looked back yet.

Both my Fenix E01, Maratac AAA, and Fenix L2D CE all have Eneloops in them; I just need another set of four AAAs... or are they AA? for my bloody calculator. >.>

[Neil]

Neil, what are you going to  with now.


Back on track - when I was using alkalines, I only had one that leaked. Totally ruined an Inova X1.

I've become a pacifist

[Styerman]

Kinda like asking a baby not to cry - all Alkalines have the risk factor . Some say AAA's are the most prone .

Chris

[thesuper]

As it so happens, I recently bought a Sanyo Eneloop kit, consisting of 4xAA, 4xAAA, a charger and a set of C+D cell converters, all in a nice neat carry case, courtesy of QVC! Not used them yet, but as so many of you guys seem to rate them highly for flashlight use I think I will start using them, along with lithiums, sounds like a safe bet.

[asupernothing]

while i have personally never had batteries leak, i do acknowledge that leakage is a very real issue with alkaline batteries.
i actually do not leave batteries in any equipment that is no under very regular use. i still use alkies in my LED light. but i also use the light several times daily and replace the battery early and replace it often.

in other words, do not reliay on alkaline batteries for long term storage.
but there is no reason to throw out the ones that you do have.

[specgrade]

 With all my kids' toys that use batteries I always have a stock of AA, AAA, 9volt, C, D in the house. Plus I can turn any 9 volt into six AAAA with ease.

 My wife left some AA in a Halloween light last year and I found it this year all corroded. A little sanding, new batteries and all is well again.

[Sean]

Years ago I decided to buy a quality flashlight and purchased a 3D cell Maglight.   As far as I was concerned it was quality all the way.  The throw on it was amazing.
Back then I was a very casual user which was unfortunate because I had stocked the light with Duracell alkaline batts.  One day it wouldn't turn on, and upon opening the cylinder I realized I'd come across a leaking cell.  I ended up stripping the whole thing down, but was never able to punch out the middle corroded battery, it had welded itself to the aluminum chamber!  I ended up tossing the whole thing out and was upset about it for ages afterwards at my own stupidity and vowed to never buy another expensive flashlight again.
Well I'm back at it again, and happily there is more info out there as well as options and a whole ton of new lights with it.  The only time I will use alkalines again in a flashlight would be a daily user, the same with my nimih rechageables (they won't hold a charge left for months in a drawer).

[NutSAK]

the same with my nimih rechageables (they won't hold a charge left for months in a drawer).

You need to buy some LSDs.  85% charge after 1 year in the drawer...

[Sean]

I'll check 'em out.    Battery options, mods and such are so overwhelming all I've been doing lately is trying to research a light that would suit my needs for my evening jaunts.  I'm thinking perhaps the E2L.

[Neil]

Low self discharge NiMH batteries have changed everything.  Now you can have a torch that takes normal AA that can be easily obtained anywhere and day to day run them from cheaper more environmentally sound rechargeables without worrying how much life you have left if you don't change them for a few weeks.  Its all win win

All my torches run either AA or AAA LSD NiMH cells.

[Sean]

Good to know Neil thanks for the info I def will check them out.  I just purchased a new light today but it does take the cr123 batts.  I think though now I will look into the rechargeables.  When you say lsd are they the same as say energizer rechargeables?  thanks.

[jekostas]

Good to know Neil thanks for the info I def will check them out.  I just purchased a new light today but it does take the cr123 batts.  I think though now I will look into the rechargeables.  When you say lsd are they the same as say energizer rechargeables?  thanks.

They'll say "low-discharge" or "precharged" on the package.  All the major companies make them - the cheapest ones I know of (and the ones I use in my camera all the time) are Rayovac Hybrids.  They're available at Wal-Mart for ~$12 for 4 AAs.

[Sean]

Thanks for that, and they work well for you the Rayovac's?

[jekostas]

Thanks for that, and they work well for you the Rayovac's?

Yep.  I use 'em for my external flash.