Batteries: Find the fake(s) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: DrG
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2020, 03:15:42 pm
content: It sometimes surprises me what I will do when bored.At least one of these batteries is fake. Can you identify which?SPOILER ALERT: Identifying photo has now been posted in the thread.Larger photo is attached.

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2020, 03:23:03 pm
content: It's probably not that, but the "miracle seal" mention on the Radio Shack battery looks suspicious?

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2020, 04:10:04 pm
content: The "extra heavy duty" looks kinda suspect, like a wun hung lo brand you'd find on Ali.

author: DrG
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2020, 04:22:20 pm
content: Quote from: Red Squirrel on April 20, 2020, 04:10:04 pmLOL - Made by the Happy Battery Co.But, you are close. There is a real actual clue...a mistake..that is a dead giveaway.

author: DrG
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2020, 04:23:34 pm
content: Quote from: SiliconWizard on April 20, 2020, 03:23:03 pmNo, that one is real...and a testament to my hoarding...it is many years old...when they wanted to tell you not to worry about your batteries leaking.

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2020, 04:28:00 pm
content: Damn! Isn't the suspect the Energizer pack of 4 AAA batteries, which, judging from the size of other batteries on the pic, rather look like AA batteries?

author: DrG
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2020, 04:32:10 pm
content: Quote from: SiliconWizard on April 20, 2020, 04:28:00 pmNope, they're AAA's (you are going to kick yourself).

author: DrG
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2020, 04:41:23 pm
content: Quote from: blueskull on April 20, 2020, 04:37:13 pmThe Energizer D cells are real (again, very close).

author: DrG
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2020, 04:51:47 pm
content: Look carefully at the two "Extra Heavy Duty" batteries. They are marked as "D" size. Clearly, they are "C" size. @Red Squirrel was right on top of it but missed the clue.They went through the trouble of weighting them so that you can't tell by simply holding them. But they did not bother to label them correctly. Still, a good place to hide a few squares of TP in these troubled times

author: DrG
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2020, 04:54:30 pm
content: Quote from: blueskull on April 20, 2020, 04:49:07 pmPosts crossed but, YEP!

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 20, 2020, 04:55:46 pm
content: Quote from: DrG on April 20, 2020, 04:51:47 pmIt's not fake. It's genuine low capacity battery. Duracell and energizer do the same trick.

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2020, 04:56:41 pm
content: Dang, I was close with a mislabeled battery size, but not on the right batteries...I admit I didn't really take a close look at those "extra heavy duty" batteries, as their funky look kind of made them almost too easy suspects to be that!

author: DrG
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2020, 05:03:05 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on April 20, 2020, 04:55:46 pmReally?? Even after I posted the pic? Can't you see that they are intended to be a secret hiding place?https://usa.banggood.com/Hot-Battery-Shaped-Secret-Stash-Safe-Money-Pill-Hidden-Container-Screw-Box-Case-p-1571058.html?rmmds=search&ID=3145&cur_warehouse=CNThey only had the one size when I ordered them but I see from the advert now that even the smaller size are marked as size "D"Now, I have to go buy the D size since they are correctly marked.Although, I do like the spin....better as...Special zero capacity batteries with screw tops.Edited: Added link to where purchased.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 20, 2020, 05:09:56 pm
content: Quote from: DrG on April 20, 2020, 05:03:05 pmOK, didn't notice that smaller cylindrical part was empty. But you did not make it clear either.

author: temperance
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2020, 10:06:44 pm
content: Nice, along the same lines: how about this fake PFC inductors?https://www.hardwareinsights.com/gmx-smartqc-atx-550h-review/4/https://hardwareinsights.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Fake-PFC-2.jpg

author: Cyberdragon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2020, 03:58:29 am
content: Quote from: Red Squirrel on April 20, 2020, 04:10:04 pmFrom what I've seen all carbon-zinc cells say "heavy duty" or "extra heavy duty" regardless of brand. It was discussed why here before I think.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2020, 04:21:59 am
content: I thought those "D" batteries looked a bit small, but it's hard to tell from a 2D photo. Still they'll probably be effective, I doubt the average person is gonna notice the marking.

author: helius
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2020, 05:06:20 am
content: Quote from: Cyberdragon on April 21, 2020, 03:58:29 amExtra Heavy Duty == zinc chloride. And the "Miracle Seal" really does work: I have a remote control from the 1980s with those Radio Shack cells: they were probably never changed, and they still hold a charge and never leaked.It should be noted that the current capability of even "extra heavy duty" is meager compared to alkalines, but their longevity is a benefit in low-drain applications like remote controls.

author: Daixiwen
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2020, 07:02:15 am
content: The Duracell is not leaking. It's obviously a fake

author: TheNewLab
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2020, 07:37:37 am
content: The CVS AA which is really a triple size batteryGood one

author: Circlotron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2020, 07:49:27 am
content: Quote from: temperance on April 20, 2020, 10:06:44 pmYep...https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/dishonest-chinese-power-supply-_engineering_/

author: Domagoj T
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2020, 11:33:41 am
content: I'm gona go with Energizer AAA, but for a different reason than above.There looks to be only 2 of them in the pack, but also real Energizer AAAs are packed vertically.

author: DrG
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2020, 12:54:52 pm
content: Quote from: Domagoj T on April 21, 2020, 11:33:41 amNot sure why those AAA Energizers gave a couple of people trouble. I think it might just be the (could be better) photography.

author: DrG
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2020, 01:31:00 pm
content: Quote from: james_s on April 21, 2020, 04:21:59 amI have actually never used them to hide anything...maybe I should put a $20 bill in case of emergency or something. I agree that, in a bag full of batteries, you are not going to notice them but geeze, if you're making labels for AA, C and D size fake batteries, label them correctly. I bought them on impulse in the days when I would get a bag-o-junk from bang and it would take so long to arrive that I would forget what I got and it was like a holiday 'gift'...ahhh good times

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2020, 03:06:50 pm
content: Well, if you need a D size battery, you need a D size. If you buy a D and it's a C, you're not going to do much with it, regardless of the capacity. So obviously if those are actually sold as D, it's just not going to work. Now if they are sold as C and are just mislabeled as D, it's less of a problem, but it doesn't change the fact they are a scam.

author: Rick Law
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2020, 07:14:04 pm
content: Quote from: DrG on April 20, 2020, 05:03:05 pmThat is actually not a bad way to hide your diamond rings or something like that. Trouble is, if that product sells well, thieves/burglars would know about it. If they do break in, along with your rings and other unmounted diamonds your entire battery stock may be gone as well.