Done with Duracell! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: WorldPowerLabs
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2012, 03:45:59 pm
content: This isn't the first time they've burned me... I'm in the process of cleaning Duracell battery leakage out of one of my multimeters (again)! The cells that leaked were installed less than 4 months ago and they have a 2018 date code. They are MN1500 alkaline "AA" cells. The cells were not left in the meter in a discharged state -- they still test good, but they leaked fluid. They were purchased from Staples, so we can be assured that they are genuine.I've had this experience more than once with Duracells. Energizers have been marginally better. Perhaps it's time to switch to Panasonic?I know that there's a trade-off between capacity and leak-resistance, but this is crap!Sorry for the rant

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2012, 04:11:37 pm
content: Panasonics I have bought recently have had a short life, even driving a wall clock. no leakage, just died fast.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2012, 04:22:54 pm
content: Quote from: WorldPowerLabs on July 05, 2012, 03:45:59 pmSomeone in another forum made the perfectly reasonable hypothesis that handling prior to purchase may have something to do with leakage. Batteries need to be handled with care and stored in a cool place. Before they reached your hands in Staples, were the batteries maybe dropped or tossed around in their crate? Did they travel by road across the USA in the back of a truck through hot sunny weather? Recently parts of the USA have had 100 degree hot sunny conditions. What temperature might be reached inside a truck under those conditions? 120 degrees? 140 degrees? Would you want to buy those batteries after they have been through that?I have made the observation that while living in the UK I never met a leaking alkaline battery. But in just a short time living in the USA I've seen them leak all the time. Could it possibly be because the USA has typically more extreme weather and much longer truck journeys from factory to warehouse to retailer?For leak resistance, you certainly might find better luck with Panasonic, or Sony, or Sanyo, or Fujicell. Cheaper too. They are not trying to squeeze the last bit of marketing power out of these cells, so they have a more conservative construction. Go check out some dollar stores or look in Big Lots.

author: rr100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2012, 04:33:54 pm
content: I think in the US some of the (big name battery) companies will replace your broken device if one of their batteries leaked.

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2012, 05:19:53 pm
content: I live in the UK and I have had several cases of Duracell AA leaking after a short time in use usually only a small amount that causes a bad connection between cells but never with the AAA or D and C size, makes me wonder if there is a production problem with the AA size such as crimping force or seal material or design.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2012, 05:23:18 pm
content: Even the original duracells are a POS, period.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2012, 07:07:57 pm
content: Quote from: WorldPowerLabs on July 05, 2012, 03:45:59 pmHave you thought about using Sanyo Eneloops (nihm low self discharge rechargeables)?Rumour has it that Duracell makes the Costco Kirkland brand batteries. If true, then I would think the chances of a counterfeit are less likely since no "3rd shift" is going to make counterfeit Kirkland brand?

author: rr100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2012, 07:18:43 pm
content: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?239115-Leaked-battery-damaged-flashlight-and-battery-manufacturer-warranty-procedures

author: David_AVD
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2012, 09:47:55 pm
content: We had a bad run with Duracell AAA and AA cells bought from RS Components last year. Straight out of the box and well within date, they had "fur" on the ends. Others seemed ok at the time, but leaked within months of installation.RS replaced boxes of them several times but even the replacements were bad. It was getting ridiculous in the end. We've had better success with the same part numbered cells from Element14. I'm thinking that poor storage conditions at RS Components was the main issue.

author: bullet308
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2012, 10:08:19 pm
content: In the US at least, I always have really good luck with Ray-O-Vac (also sold at Radio Shack as Enercell). Good, solid, reliable alkalines at a good price.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2012, 02:41:23 am
content: Most of the Duracell AAA's i got from RS leaked (two packs of 24)They were cheap too, so probably fake

author: RCMR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2012, 05:20:01 am
content: While on the subject of batteries -- does anyone have any experience with NiZn cells?I see they're now pretty affordable and offer 1.6V (nominal) per cell which makes them a closer fit to the regular ZnC or alkaline primary cells used in a lot of gear.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2012, 06:41:04 am
content: Quote from: RCMR on July 06, 2012, 05:20:01 amYou mean the PowerGenix kind? Yes.I think they became affordable because they are on clearance. They had lifetime issues--they have a tendency to fail prematurely even when looked after. That was always the traditional issue with the NiZn chemistry, and the improvements PowerGenix thought they had made to overcome this issue evidently were not enough. As a result they decided to withdraw from the consumer market.It is a pity because the batteries were very attractive to expert users. When tested the batteries are able to sustain a very high discharge current at high output voltage and thus are able to produce a very high power output. Unfortunately the batteries are not robust enough to handle this kind of treatment. After a few cycles of such use they would leak.So: when given gentle treatment they fail early by losing capacity and by ceasing to charge properly. When subjected to demanding uses they fail spectacularly.

author: AntiProtonBoy
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2012, 02:55:05 pm
content: Quote from: ErikTheNorwegian on July 05, 2012, 04:08:45 pmFake bullet proof vests... that's scary.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2012, 03:34:23 pm
content: Fake condoms? Of course there are fake birth control pills. As well as plenty of fake medicine, especially the more expensive ones. There was a case recently where the faker used clay from a dump site that was contaminated with heavy metals and other poisons.

author: billclay
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2012, 06:49:23 pm
content: Quote from: WorldPowerLabs on July 05, 2012, 03:45:59 pmSomething *MUST* have changed in the way these are made over the past few years. It sounds like the are cutting corners in the materials used to save money. I've had the same experience with new Duracells lately, esp AA & AAA. I've also found completely dead cells in a pack of new ones as well. These are legit sort-bought, not fakes.I've used Duracell for a long time and I'm looking for a new brand to switch to now. I was considering Energizer. Sounds like they are no better.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2012, 07:26:09 pm
content: I was looking on the shelves for energizer AAA batteries the other day ... missus bought it because it gave a bag freeApparently this one is the MAX version or something along the linesIS cheaper than duracell and it lasted longer than the damn duracells

author: RCMR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2012, 09:01:29 pm
content: Quote from: IanB on July 06, 2012, 06:41:04 amI just ordered some of these:http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__25025__Turnigy_AA_Ni_ZN_1500mAh_High_Voltage_ready_to_use_.htmland I'll see how they work out.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2012, 09:20:48 pm
content: Quote from: RCMR on July 06, 2012, 09:01:29 pmDid you order plenty?The instructions given there are poor.These cells arenot"ready to use". Always charge them before use.Check them with a voltmeter on arrival. Any with a voltage lower than 1.6 V are "pre-failed" and will under perform. Put them to one side and do not mix them with good cells. Cells with a voltage above 1.6 V can be charged and used.The cells must be charged using a CC/CV algorithm like Li-ion. Set the voltage to 1.9 V, the charging current to 750 mA, and the end of charge condition to 75 mA. Set a time limit of 2.5 hours. Do not use NiMH or NiCd charging protocols.The cells are ideally charged individually, but you can put up to four of them in parallel. Only put cells in parallel if they are well matched and in good condition. Do not exceed a charge current of 1500 mA when charging cells in parallel.Observe the temperature while charging and stop charging if the cells get more than slightly warm. Normally they stay cool while charging.Any failed cells (voltage < 1.6 V) can be charged and used, but they will not mix well with good cells and they will not hold their charge very well. Use them cautiously.The best charger to use is the PowerGenix F100011-14.Here is the datasheet with detailed info:http://www.powergenix.com/docs/powergenix-specs-aa.pdf

author: johnnyfp
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2012, 08:51:09 am
content: I've had AAA and AA duracells leak over and over, in different environments and different devices.I had a battery pop in my mouse once, which was scary. I've had to claim damage from Gillete to replace the damage mouse and the offered me a free pack of batteries for compensation. Needless to say I threw them out.I don't buy their batteries anymore, switched to energizer and not had a single leak since.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2012, 02:29:53 pm
content: Except for 9V batteries, I've switched all mine to LSD NiMH. Tenergy brand Centura is cheap. I've never seen a NiMH leak, even the old style.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2012, 02:40:53 pm
content: Quote from: iamwhoiam on July 09, 2012, 02:36:37 pmReally? Do you have a source for that?

author: baljemmett
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 09, 2012, 03:14:06 pm
content: Quote from: iamwhoiam on July 09, 2012, 02:36:37 pmNo they aren't, although they used to be Eveready / Ever Ready depending on which side of the Atlantic you were on. None of those companies has any connection to Duracell, which is a brand name currently owned by P&G after a series of mergers and acquisitions.

author: slburris
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2012, 03:49:47 pm
content: Like Saturation, I too have mostly switched to LSD NiMH batteries, a mix of Sanyo Eneloop andAmazon's house brand LSD batteries.I still occasionally use standard batteries, and so far I've had good luck (in the US) with Lowe'shouse brand Utilitech batteries. A pack of 100 is about $22. Not sure who the real OEM is.They've gotten some good reviews on the candlepower forums:http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?327474-New-bargain-alkaline-at-Lowe-s-UtilitechScott

author: Sionyn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2012, 08:04:02 pm
content: seems legit

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2012, 08:14:10 pm
content: In my internship I have conducted a large scale battery test (25+ from expensive Duracell Ultra Power to cheap Kodak Xtralife Alkaline...)The results are very surprising and they will be published tomorrow. No, the Duracells did not last the longest, and in general, it appears the cheaper batteries represent very good value for money, even in demanding high current applications.Here's a preview of the batteries tested, each one of these was measured for exact mAh at 200mA and 1000mA.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2012, 11:01:48 pm
content: Good to see you writing again slburris. Looking forward to tom66's report. By chance, this month is the 1 year anniversary of a long term test I have pitting the Tenergy Centura LSD AA against Sanyo eneloop AA. As of this writing the tests are being done. It involves 4 each. They are being discharged as I write. They have been in room temperature storage for 1 year in the same box in the same drawer.The 500mA has just been completed and surprisingly the eneleoop and centura are nearly identical at ~ 1600mAh. That's a charge retention of about 85% of the new value, which I tested at ~1900mAh back in 9/11/11.A key difference is the discharge output voltage, its not mentioned in the Amazon or Tenergy advertising. At 1 year the open circuit voltage of centura is 1.23 versus 1.31 for eneloop. During discharge the centuras were 1.17V whereas the eneloops were 1.25V. This is not a significant difference for modern device with dc-dc regulators but in older designs made for alkaline batteries, the small difference could cause the device to cut out prematurely or seem weak. So, for that difference, you could pay ~2x more for eneloop vs centura.Quote from: slburris on September 11, 2012, 03:49:47 pm

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 13, 2012, 01:25:26 am
content: Quote from: Sionyn on September 12, 2012, 08:04:02 pmAs usual!HAHAHAHAHA

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 13, 2012, 07:09:09 pm
content: Completed the tests. In summary, after 1 year of storage, the first generation eneloops AA 1900mAh batteries retained 1600mAh, whether discharged at 500mA or 1000mA, that's 84% of its initial charge. Surprisingly, the Tenergy Centura also maintained the same 1600mAh using the same discharge current.The AAA Centura retained 70% of its initial charge after 1 year. 630mAh from the original 800mAh. The batteries are certainly competitive with eneloop at half the price. The last unknown is whether it will live up to the number of charge-discharge cycles advertised, 300-500x.

author: bilko
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 23, 2012, 02:57:08 pm
content: Just found another set of Duracell AA batteries that have leaked. These were purchased from Tesco in the UK, so no reason to believe that they are fake.Luckily I removed them from the equipment before storing. The batteries were used for about 5 minutes to test a new radio, they have an expiry date of March 2014 and the unloaded terminal voltage is 1.23v.Looks like they have self discharged, probably due to faulty manufacturer. Duracell sure sucks for batteries !!Tom's test was very useful, I will not pay a premium for this junk from Duracell any more.