Fenix E01 and alkaline batteries

[Sazabi]

Yesterday I noticed my E01 has a swollen body that was feeling somewhat warm to the touch; the head was difficult to remove, but I was successful in removing it.  The battery had vented and was dead, but after putting an Eneloop into the E01, it was functional once again.  This is the second time my E01 has been threatened by an alkaline; the previous time this happened, a noticeable pop was heard as I removed the head.

I know I shouldn't have alkalines in any of my flashlights, but I had simply forgotten to switch it out for an Eneloop back in January.  I'm just not having any luck with alkalines; I'm trying to get my father to start using Duraloops (which I've finally found in-store sources for) in his cheap commercial-grade cameras, but we'll see if he converts.

Has anyone else had similar issues?

[Gareth]

That just sounds like bad luck mate.  It's been so long since I had an alkaline leak on me I honestly can't think of when or what it might have been in.

[space cowboy]

I have had a couple alkileaks that leaked on me in an E01 & another light. The E01 is very tight & does not allow gases to escape. Eneloops solved the problem for me.

[NutSAK]

PLEASE do not feed your lovely flashlights alkalines!

Alkalines for cheap backups only!!  Eneloop FTW!

I only remember ruining one Maglite w/alkaline as an adult (not a great loss).  MANY flashlights were ruined w/alkaline during my childhood, however.

[Sazabi]

PLEASE do not feed your lovely flashlights alkalines!

Alkalines for cheap backups only!!  Eneloop FTW!

I only remember ruining one Maglite w/alkaline as an adult (not a great loss).  MANY flashlights were ruined w/alkaline during my childhood, however.

Oh, I don't use alkaline batteries unless I have to; at some point I tightened my Maratac AAA's head a bit too far over winter break, so the light drained the battery.  I switched out that Eneloop with one from my Fenix E01 and put an alkaline in it for the time being, due to being away from my limited Eneloop stash - I have since found a number of sources for Duraloops, though I still only have 4 AAA and 4 AA Eneloops at the moment.  I simply forgot to switch out the Energizer alkaline for an Eneloop when I returned to University; it's been just over a month and a half since I had switched batteries out in December.  As it stands, I do only use Eneloops in my flashlights, unless situations warrant otherwise - and personally, I find Eneloops to be better cost effective than lithiums, since Eneloops can be recharged. ^^;

[sousterre1]

This happened to me last night. I tried twisting the head to turn it on, and it was a little stiff so I used two hands and when the head came off it vented. At first the battery seemed ok but on closer inspection it is leaking from the bottom. The E01 works fine and the body didn't warp or anything. The battery was a duracell alkaline. I'm a little concerned about this being in my pocket from now on, if I change to a different type of battery will this not happen?

[Gareth]

My understanding is that it's a problem with Alkaline cells only, so if you go for rechargeable cells you should be fine.  Others know far more about this than me though so perhaps someone else can elaborate. 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Never had a problem once I switched to eneloops

[NutSAK]

Rechargeable NiMH don't leak like alkalines.  Alkalines are fine for use in a low-current light such as the E01, but I don't recommend leaving in any light for an extended period of time.

I personally won't use alkalines in any flashlight for fear of leakage.

[space cowboy]

Alkileaks would probably be OK if you checked them daily. Eneloops are much better though.

[jzmtl]

If you don't use it much, it's probably much easier to just drop a lithium in there. They aren't expensive on ebay.

[Sean]

All my lights now are on Rechareable Duraloops, and other nimih brands.  They are
great, as I just charge them up when I come home and they are good until I use
them next time around as most are of the Low Self Discharge variety. 
I actually couldn't wait to get the last alkaline out of my LD01 for fear of leakage.

[sousterre1]

Thanks for the advice. I'll stick a rechargeable in and hope for the best.