Flashlight Batteries that leak/corrode?

[ultrarunner]

Memory might be failing so bear with me.

Does it seem to anyone else that Flashlight Batteries tend to leak and corrode more these days?

Have a lot of batteries at work and never recall in the 24 years I've been on the job having to deal with corrosion from leaking batteries until the last couple of years...

Spend about a $1000 annually on Duracell AAA, AA, C, D and 9V batteries.

The damage can be serious when the equipment is expensive or just annoying with things like Maglite flashlights... some of the Maglites were destroyed with the aluminum badly eaten away...

Years ago I remember I could open up almost anything with a Duracell batt in it, (in or out of date) and you'd hardly ever see a leaking one.

 

[oosik]

I've started using Lithium & Ultra Lithium. Somewhat more expensive but they sure last longer and no leakage problems.

 

[Bird]

I haven't had that problem in more than 30 years, but 50 years ago, leaking, corroded batteries were common.

 

[dodge man]

I've have had a few that leaked in the last few years, not common but does happen.

 

[RalphVa]

I use rechargeable lithium ion. They don't leak.

Ralph

 

[Soundguy]

Memory might be failing so bear with me.

Does it seem to anyone else that Flashlight Batteries tend to leak and corrode more these days?

Have a lot of batteries at work and never recall in the 24 years I've been on the job having to deal with corrosion from leaking batteries until the last couple of years...

Spend about a $1000 annually on Duracell AAA, AA, C, D and 9V batteries.

The damage can be serious when the equipment is expensive or just annoying with things like Maglite flashlights... some of the Maglites were destroyed with the aluminum badly eaten away...

Years ago I remember I could open up almost anything with a Duracell batt in it, (in or out of date) and you'd hardly ever see a leaking one.

Depending on how far you go back, there used to be carbon zinc bats everywhere, but the walks gave more power.

Nowadays I like led lamps, LEDs last longer, bats running LEDs last longer. Win win.

I also use rechargeable as much as possible.

At work we went from using near 160$ a month on as and 9v bats, to hicap NiMH, and now have not bought a aa bat in about 15 months.

Same 12 aa rechargeable are still going 15 m later

 

[caver]

I've had stuff leak but it takes a couple years of sitting. Now I tend to see stuff I haven't used in many months/years, I take the batteries out and lay them beside the item.

 

[ultrarunner]

It's mostly items in the response packs... batteries still in date... only damage from corrosion is becoming an issue.

I guess I could take the pro-active approach and replace based on time and not power... do test batteries and if they test OK... put them back in.

 

[Quartz]

The batteries in my aluminum flashlights seem to have corroded more often than the ones in my older plastic flashlights my Dad got from the electric company. Used to use strictly Duracell, but now, may look at other brands.

 

[stingray1]

I have 2 mag lights with batteries stuck in them from leaking.