# New battery with fuzzy end?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-battery-with-fuzzy-end/776910>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [January 11, 2017, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-battery-with-fuzzy-end/776910 "2017-01-11T22:59:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-battery-with-fuzzy-end/776910/1 "2017-01-11T22:59:00Z")

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I have a AA battery in a pack I bought three weeks or so ago. One of them already has a fuzzy end (non bumpy side), and I was wondering if it was still any good. Anyone know?

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**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-battery-with-fuzzy-end/776910/2 "2017-01-12T07:47:38Z")

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Fuzzy as in corroded? I’d say that indicates that it’s got something wrong with it. Does the pack have an expiry date on it?

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**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-battery-with-fuzzy-end/776910/3 "2017-01-12T09:51:13Z")

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I agree with **Mangetout** that it sounds like corrosion. A leaking battery can ruin the device you put it in. I wouldn’t use that battery. I probably wouldn’t use the remainder of the pack either, they may be about to start leaking.

If you just bought this pack, return it for a refund. If the retailer won’t take it, contact the manufacturer’s customer relations department.

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**Author:** ![quimper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7c8e57/32.png) [@quimper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quimper)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-battery-with-fuzzy-end/776910/4 "2017-01-12T16:28:07Z")

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The electrolyte is leaking out and has dried into crystals. Check the expiration date and return them to the store for a refund.