# alkaline batterys are getting worse and worse. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 12, 2014, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alkaline-batterys-are-getting-worse-and-worse/683540 "2014-03-12T15:07:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alkaline-batterys-are-getting-worse-and-worse/683540/1 "2014-03-12T15:07:07Z")
I’ve learned to loathe and avoid Duracell Copper tops. They start leaking very quickly. I just found a 14 pack of AAA in a drawer with several batteries already leaking. Date March 2014. I’m going to throw the entire pack away. I found leaking batteries in my remotes and even in a land line phone last year. The landline phone’s electronic memory (stored numbers) and the speakerphone function was working. Working with leaking and corroded batteries? :dubious: WTH? Whats happened? I remember when Duracell Copper Tops were introduced in the early 80’s. You could use them a couple years past the expiration date without a leak. I quit buying old fashioned batteries because they leaked. I’m switching to Eveready Energizer. All the Duracells in my remotes are getting switched out ASAP. Throwing out any Duracells I find in my kitchen drawer. Which is better Eveready Energizer or Eveready Gold? ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alkaline-batterys-are-getting-worse-and-worse/683540/2 "2014-03-12T15:22:17Z")
All alkalines have the potential for leaking, I found that Energizers were worse than Duracells generally speaking As far as the best Energizers? Any of their Lithium AA cells, a little more expensive, but they last a heck of a lot longer, especially in low drain devices As far as battery leakage damage, try some white vinegar, it’s an acid, and will neutralize the alkaline residue, there’ll still be pitting damage, but no further eating away by the battery goop ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alkaline-batterys-are-getting-worse-and-worse/683540/3 "2014-03-12T15:32:43Z")
At least alkalines don’t cause as much damage. Those old fashioned D cells had acid in them. They’d completely ruin a flashlight. I can’t recall the name for them lead acid battery? Anyway it was the standard flashlight battery before alkalines came out. [Remember these?](http://www.landlcollectables.com/catalog/images/Misc//refHGDCellRayovacSmall.jpg) Been thirty years since I saw any. They ruined a lot of flashlights and radios. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alkaline-batterys-are-getting-worse-and-worse/683540/4 "2014-03-12T15:43:53Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I’ve learned to loathe and avoid Duracell Copper tops. They start leaking very quickly. I just found a 14 pack of AAA in a drawer with several batteries already leaking. Date March 2014. I’m going to throw the entire pack away. > […] > Whats happened? March 2014 means the pack was probably several years old. I am not sure how far the good date goes but I know it’s at least 3-4 years. As to what happened, battery formulas have been changed repeatedly in recent years to reduce and eliminate mercury and other toxic components. The tradeoff is less stability in favor of lower toxicity and more delivered power (lower internal resistance). Shrug. Pick any two or three characteristics and live without the rest. I don’t know that any brand is better, in the overall analysis, than any other now. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alkaline-batterys-are-getting-worse-and-worse/683540/5 "2014-03-12T15:51:12Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > At least alkalines don’t cause as much damage. Those old fashioned D cells had acid in them. They’d completely ruin a flashlight. I can’t recall the name for them lead acid battery? Anyway it was the standard flashlight battery before alkalines came out. Before alkalines came out, your typical “regular” battery was carbon-zinc, which is a dry cell. There was a heavy duty zinc-chloride version. The guts were more of a paste than a liquid acid. Lead acid batteries are what cars use. They also used to be common in laptops (along with nickel cadmium batteries) but have since been replaced by lithium ion batteries. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alkaline-batterys-are-getting-worse-and-worse/683540/6 "2014-03-12T15:52:39Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > As to what happened, battery formulas have been changed repeatedly in recent years to reduce and eliminate mercury and other toxic components. The tradeoff is less stability in favor of lower toxicity and more delivered power (lower internal resistance). They are also making the walls of the battery thinner to cut costs. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alkaline-batterys-are-getting-worse-and-worse/683540/7 "2014-03-12T16:01:31Z")
Carbon-zinc rings a bell. Hadn’t heard that term in a long time. thanks engineer\_comp\_geek There probably isn’t much difference in Duracell and Eveready. I always bought Duracell since they came out in the 80’s. Won’t hurt to try Eveready Energizer and see if they are any better. I haven’t seen the Energizer Rabbit in awhile. I bet they put in cheap Copper Top batteries that leaked and killed him too. 😃 > [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > Before alkalines came out, your typical “regular” battery was carbon-zinc, which is a dry cell. There was a heavy duty zinc-chloride version. The guts were more of a paste than a liquid acid. > > Lead acid batteries are what cars use. They also used to be common in laptops (along with nickel cadmium batteries) but have since been replaced by lithium ion batteries. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alkaline-batterys-are-getting-worse-and-worse/683540/8 "2014-03-12T16:20:24Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > They are also making the walls of the battery thinner to cut costs. I suspect it’s more to pack more stuff in the battery than to reduce costs. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alkaline-batterys-are-getting-worse-and-worse/683540/9 "2014-03-12T16:48:06Z")
Wikipedia has good information. > **[Alkaline battery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alkaline_battery)** > > An alkaline battery (IEC code: L) is a type of primary battery where the electrolyte (most commonly potassium hydroxide) has a pH value above 7. Typically these batteries derive energy from the reaction between zinc metal and manganese dioxide. > Compared with zinc–carbon batteries of the Leclanché cell or zinc chloride types, alkaline batteries have a higher energy density and longer shelf life, yet provide the same voltage. > The alkaline battery gets its name because it has an alkaline electro... > [@](#): > > The reason for leaks is that as batteries discharge — either through usage or gradual self-discharge — the chemistry of the cells changes and some hydrogen gas is generated. This out-gassing increases pressure in the battery. Eventually, the excess pressure either ruptures the insulating seals at the end of the battery, or the outer metal canister, or both. In addition, as the battery ages, its steel outer canister may gradually corrode or rust, which can further contribute to containment failure. > > Once a leak has formed due to corrosion of the outer steel shell, potassium hydroxide absorbs carbon dioxide from the air to form a feathery crystalline structure of potassium carbonate that grows and spreads out from the battery over time, following along metal electrodes to circuit boards where it commences oxidation of copper tracks and other components, leading to permanent circuitry damage. > > The leaking crystalline growths can also emerge from seams around battery covers to form a furry coating outside the device, that corrodes any objects in contact with the leaking device. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alkaline-batterys-are-getting-worse-and-worse/683540/10 "2014-03-12T17:00:39Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > March 2014 means the pack was probably several years old. I am not sure how far the good date goes but I know it’s at least 3-4 years. More like 7-8 years, I think. I’m sure I’ve seen dates on new packs of batteries out to the 2020s. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alkaline-batterys-are-getting-worse-and-worse/683540/11 "2014-03-12T17:54:43Z")
> [@Finagle](#): > > I suspect it’s more to pack more stuff in the battery than to reduce costs. Maybe a little of both. Slight savings in the plated steel case are probably more than offset by added chemical contents, for one thing. But the need to zoom total mAh and peak current has been the primary driver for battery change in recent years - besides the mercury issue. ---
**Author:** ![JAKE\_ORTIZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/45deac/32.png) [@JAKE\_ORTIZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JAKE_ORTIZ)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2014, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alkaline-batterys-are-getting-worse-and-worse/683540/12 "2014-03-18T15:36:07Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I’ve learned to loathe and avoid Duracell Copper tops. They start leaking very quickly. I just found a 14 pack of AAA in a drawer with several batteries already leaking. Date March 2014. I’m going to throw the entire pack away. Energizer has recently started promoting that their batteries are ‘leak-proof’. I want to know which Energizers leak? I am concerned about the Energizers I have…thinking about switching to another brand. Why would they add this claim unless they are prone to [leaking](http://www.energizer.com/Pages/Guarantee.aspx)? ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2014, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alkaline-batterys-are-getting-worse-and-worse/683540/13 "2014-03-18T16:20:49Z")
> [@JAKE\_ORTIZ](#): > > Why would they add this claim unless they are prone to [leaking](http://www.energizer.com/Pages/Guarantee.aspx)? Because all current batteries have the possibility of leaking. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2014, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alkaline-batterys-are-getting-worse-and-worse/683540/14 "2014-03-18T16:33:50Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I remember when Duracell Copper Tops were introduced in the early 80’s. You could use them a couple years past the expiration date without a leak. Did they even _have_ an expiration date back then? I thought dates on battery packages were a more recent thing. ---
**Author:** ![JAKE\_ORTIZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/45deac/32.png) [@JAKE\_ORTIZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JAKE_ORTIZ)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2014, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alkaline-batterys-are-getting-worse-and-worse/683540/15 "2014-03-18T16:44:08Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Because all current batteries have the possibility of leaking. Sure, but why advertise it? Attaching ‘leak-proof’ to the Energizer name makes it seem like they’re recovering from a major leakage issue. They also state ‘No Leaks Guaranteed or they will replace the device’. Why even take the chance with Energizer if it can ruin my device and maybe just maybe receive a replacement after jumping through crazy warranty hoops. Sounds like a waste of time that could be avoided by choosing a different brand. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2014, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alkaline-batterys-are-getting-worse-and-worse/683540/16 "2014-03-18T17:14:53Z")
I don’t leave a cheap flashlight in a wet tackle box in the bottom of a boat that is outside & in the water 24/7/365 anymore. The longest unchecked batteries in my circle of influence is the 9v in the different detectors. They have alarms when things are low or bad. Laptop batteries are the ones that I have the hardest time remembering to disconnect because I am never sure when I am going to leave it for an extended time. I learned to check batteries. Got your remote in your hand? Pop open the battery compartment, spin the batteries, look for trouble, close compartment. 15 seconds if I go real slow. I have not had an AA or a AAA leak or corrode in years & years. The tiny effort and short time to do these things are worth it to me. I even get good service from the super cheap from the Dollar Store that were made in a tin shack in some far away country & shipped by boat to the US batteries. I just don’t ask or expect them to do something they were not designed to do. All batteries are not created equal. I am looking FWD to the next compound to be used that will be better than Lithium. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2014, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alkaline-batterys-are-getting-worse-and-worse/683540/17 "2014-03-18T17:47:41Z")
> [@JAKE\_ORTIZ](#): > > Sure, but why advertise it? Attaching ‘leak-proof’ to the Energizer name makes it seem like they’re recovering from a major leakage issue. > > They also state ‘No Leaks Guaranteed or they will replace the device’. Why even take the chance with Energizer if it can ruin my device and maybe just maybe receive a replacement after jumping through crazy warranty hoops. > > Sounds like a waste of time that could be avoided by choosing a different brand. Crazy talk! I don’t know anyone who is not aware that batteries can and do leak, and that if they do leak, they can destroy whatever they’re sitting in. OTOH, until this thread I was unaware of any batteries advertised as leak-proof, and promising not only to replace leaking batteries but any device that leak destroys. (Though I’m sure there is some fine print that limits their liability.) Next time I need a battery, I’m going to look for a leak-proof one and buy it unless it’s ridiculously expensive. ---
**Author:** ![JAKE\_ORTIZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/45deac/32.png) [@JAKE\_ORTIZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JAKE_ORTIZ)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2014, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alkaline-batterys-are-getting-worse-and-worse/683540/18 "2014-03-18T18:05:49Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > I don’t know anyone who is not aware that batteries can and do leak… > > Next time I need a battery, I’m going to look for a leak-proof one and buy it unless it’s ridiculously expensive. Why look for a battery that claims to be ‘leak-proof’ if you know that all batteries can and do leak? Aren’t you now trusting a false statement? Energizer really lost my business on this one. When I see the word ‘leak’ anywhere near my alkaline batteries I immediately assume they are sub-standard and may ruin my device. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2014, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alkaline-batterys-are-getting-worse-and-worse/683540/19 "2014-03-18T18:11:55Z")
> [@JAKE\_ORTIZ](#): > > Why look for a battery that claims to be ‘leak-proof’ if you know that all batteries can and do leak? Aren’t you now trusting a false statement? > > Energizer really lost my business on this one. When I see the word ‘leak’ anywhere near my alkaline batteries I immediately assume they are sub-standard and may ruin my device. So let me get this straight: out of all the brands of batteries, which can and do leak, you vow to avoid the one brand that is confident enough in its technology to be able to offer a no-leak guarantee? I think your logic circuits have sprung a leak. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2014, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alkaline-batterys-are-getting-worse-and-worse/683540/20 "2014-03-18T18:14:35Z")
> [@JAKE\_ORTIZ](#): > > Why look for a battery that claims to be ‘leak-proof’ if you know that all batteries can and do leak? Aren’t you now trusting a false statement? It’s more a case of “batteries leaking is a known issue”, and “all batteries, **up until now** , had that potential”. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alkaline-batterys-are-getting-worse-and-worse/683540.md?page=2)