Leaky Batteries

[prpr]

The stars of the show appear to be a pair of OEM AAAs marked "HW hi-watt battery heavy duty" with no indication of chemistry (but most likely alkaline), which both still read 1.5V+ on my tester. They make it to my stock.

Have you tried taking any current from them and measuring the voltage? Off-load measurements are not terribly useful for aged batteries.

 

[MartinLiddle]

Have you tried taking any current from them and measuring the voltage? Off-load measurements are not terribly useful for aged batteries.

I have to confess I fell into that trap recently when I tried to use a fairly old battery which gave a satisfactory voltage reading but wouldn't bring the device to life; took me a few minutes before I tried a known good battery.

 

[Black Hole]

Off-load measurements are not terribly useful for aged batteries.

These were on-load measurements using a proper battery tester, but I admit I don't know what the load current is. The second Kodak didn't register at all on-load.

 

[Black Hole]

I came across a radio today, I would guess hasn't been touched in at least 15 years. I opened the battery comparment and found the following:



Two batteries branded Panasonic are badly corroded. The Titens look mint (but only register half a volt).

 

[prpr]

What does that date code say? Looks like it might be 04 2016 from here.
Got the vinegar ready for the radio?

 

[Black Hole]

Yes, 2016 for the Panasonics and (what looks like) 2007 on the Titens (stamped into the metal).

I'm sure the 2016 must be a BBE, I have no idea whether the 2007 is a manufacturing date or a BBE date.

 

[bottletop]

My recent experience for Duracell batteries. I had a preference for Duracell alkaline, they were less prone to leaking.
Size D. Occasional use. Batteries were used first in a normal torch before I moved them into a LED torch. Made in the EC. Only has one date - Jan 2001. Still working. They register 1.42V - 1.50V.
Size C. Occasional use. Only used in a LED torch. Made in China 2015, expiry Dec 2019 leaked.
I don't think they're made to last anymore as I noticed in other devices some Duracell batteries leaked.

 

[trog]

My recent experience for Duracell batteries. I had a preference for Duracell alkaline, they were less prone to leaking.
Size D. Occasional use. Batteries were used first in a normal torch before I moved them into a LED torch. Made in the EC. Only has one date - Jan 2001. Still working. They register 1.42V - 1.50V.
Size C. Occasional use. Only used in a LED torch. Made in China 2015, expiry Dec 2019 leaked.
I don't think they're made to last anymore as I noticed in other devices some Duracell batteries leaked.

Counterfeit Duracell Coppertop AA / AAA Batteries | Consumer Alert

How to identify fake Duracell Coppertop AA / AAA Batteries

thecounterfeitreport.com

 

[prpr]

I've found some old AAs in a radio destined for the tip (which is where it should have gone in 1987 - cheap crap from Dixons, made in HK, cost c. £6.25).
2 Vidor, labelled 07/97 and respectively 0.3V/13mA and 1.2V/200mA
The 3rd is an Ever Ready Gold Seal, Long Life, Made in Britain. No date on it, but must be at least 25 years old - 1.42V and over 2A on a quick test. Amazing. None had leaked either.