Shopsmith Forums

I've been really frustrated of late with several battery operated items having leaking batteries. Just today I went to use a battery powered little touch light that takes 3 batteries. It didn't work and when I opened it, well you know what I found. I have 5 of those lights so I went to check them as well.

4 out of 5 had leaking batteries. One of the lights was in bad shape while the others had not gotten to far along.

I should also point out that these are not items that were forgotten for years. I have many many things that take batteries and I do check them or remove the batteries if I will not be using them for a while. I'm sure I could do better but I have to say I'm probably more on the consensus side then most people.

Not long ago my "atomic" clock had the same issue. Not long before that was a nice aluminum blue flashlight, that was really a mess and now doesn't work right all the time so I have to look into it more.

Over the years I have had my share of leaking batteries but there seems to be a rash of them of late. So what changed? Sam's club has been selling only Duracell the last while so that is what I have been buying and well of course the leaking batteries are Duracell. Not sure that proves anything since that is what most of my batteries are now.

Some of the items I buy come with these no-name batteries and so far all of those seem to be holding up well. I've avoided going to Amazon and battery shopping since I thought the good old names had good batteries, I have to question that now.

So I'm looking for what others are using that are not "leakers"......... and have reasonable life and at a decent price point. What batteries do you use?

Ed

HF batteries work for us.

I have not had a leaking battery in years and years. Many years ago probably 20+ it was not uncommon to have a leaker once in a while. I have been using Duracell for many many years until recently. I buy my batteries in the military commissary exclusively because they are about 1//3 cheaper than on the outside. The commissary has carried Duracell and EverReady for as long as I can remember but recently they quit carrying Duracell. So I have been buying EverReady. I haven't had enough time with them to make any comment.

Again, I have been using Duracell for a long long time (for no particular reason) and I can't tell you the last time I had a leaker.

I find that batteries are batteries no matter what brand I buy. They all work until they don't work. I buy whatever is on sale and I have a rare leaking battery in every brand.
The only place I am choosy about a battery is in my digital cameras. They use AA alkaline batteries but the alkalines don't last so I buy lithium batteries for use there. Energizer seems to be the only one making AA lithium batteries.

I have had a lot of problems with Duracell (leaking) so I have switched to Everready. But I am now using Rayovac. I agree leaking batteries were a big thing in the 60s, 70s but the battery manufactures seemed to cure the problem. Now in the last 5-10 years it seems like the problem is back.

When I get those small flashlights the first thing I do is replace the original batteries with known good ones like Eveready Duracell or Rayovac.
Also, do not mix and match manufacturers or old batteries in the same device.
However if you want to restore one of the small flashlights try this link.


http://www.lightinthebox.com/18650-batt ... gKKFPD_BwE
Bill V

I use Duracell or the Duracell copy sold at BJ’s Wholesale (like a Cosco). I have rarely had a leaker. One reason leakage may happen is that today’s batteries hold their charge much much longer than the old Zinc carbon batteries. Lots of info here:https://www.duracell.com/en-us/help/faq ... mperatures

I have been using Energizer for a long time, never had a problem...in fact their web site makes a point out saying they guaranty no leaks or they will replace your device. I usually buy the big packs and use them as I need them, packs sit around some times for more then a year before they get used, never a problem and they are always ready to go, hold a charge forever.

If you are open to the use of rechargeable for AA or AAA Eneloops are fantastic. I have some that are 6-7 years old and still perform flawlessly.


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Most of the time I use alkaline batteries but for sensitive things like digital cameras I use Energizer Lithium batteries. The Alkaline batteries seem to hold there "charge" for years but once the charge is gone they are prone to leaking. I find if something has sat too long with dead batteries they tend to leak out. The longer its been leaking the more damage to the battery terminals and area. With so many things using batteries it is hard to keep up on all of them.