New in box batteries leaking

[HPing]

We have seen some NOS calculators in original packaging with leaky batteries.

For example, this 50G includes leaky batteries in the clamshell packaging. Who knows if the acid migrated to the calculator or if the gasses would cause issues for the electronics, plastics, coatings, etc.

We have had a lot of leaky batteries recently from different brands. We have not had issues with the Eneloop rechargables but who knows.

[Jase]

I have grown weary of having to be on battery-watch duty -- making sure no batteries step out of line and start vomiting acid everywhere. Thus, I researched, and started purchasing Energizer Lithium batteries. Expensive as hell, but if they truly don't leak, then it will be worth it.
The fact that they last a super long time is just icing on the cake - the main thing I want is NO LEAKS.

[Raymond Del Tondo]

Given that the 50g was introduced in 2006 and discontinued in 2015 your unit may be at least 9 ,
but could even be 18 years old. Much time for batteries to corrode.
I'd generally take out batteries on such old items, even if that means to open the packaging.

Best would be to open the blister on the back side, and dispose those leaky batteries asap.

If you are unsure about the physical condition of the calc and accessories,
you could take the unit out of the blister and check.

Better than having an unopened package,
looking at an unused item which disintegrates behind the blister.

A while ago, there were unsold NOS HP 20b units on sale for a few bucks.
Since as of 2024, the units were at least twelve years old.
Nearly all of those units had dead coin cells, some were beginning to leak.

[naddy]

When it comes to AA or AAA batteries, there seem to be two choices:

• Energizer Ultimate Lithium. (LiFeS₂, non-rechargeable.) When you cut through the marketing bluster and check the warranty terms, Energizer admit that their alkalines leak like everybody else's. They are, however, very confident that their Lithium batteries will not leak.
• Eneloop. (Low self-discharge NiMH, rechargeable.) People report very good things about this brand. Two years ago I started splurging and by now I have converted nearly every AA/AAA device in the house that didn't use an Energizer Lithium yet over to Eneloops. I consider it a ten-year experiment. The logic that rechargeables will pay for themselves over time is not very applicable in this context, since leakage is mostly a problem in devices where batteries last for years.
  

Importantly, both of these choices cost about 10–20 times as much as alkalines.

[Dave Frederickson]

Back in the day Duracell sent me some new batteries to replace the ones that leaked in my 71B.
1. They were N cells.
2. They were leaking.

3. They also reimbursed me $150 to have the 71 repaired, so we're cool.

[gentzel]

(11-01-2024 09:23 PM)Raymond Del Tondo Wrote:  Given that the 50g was introduced in 2006 and discontinued in 2015 your unit may be at least 9 ,
but could even be 18 years old. Much time for batteries to corrode.

On top of that, you have no way to know under what conditions these units were stored. They could have been in a warehouse in the middle of a desert.

[HPing]

(11-01-2024 10:05 PM)gentzel Wrote:  On top of that, you have no way to know under what conditions these units were stored. They could have been in a warehouse in the middle of a desert.

Seller was from Tokyo so that is pretty brutal heat and humidity. We did not pick that one up fortunately.

We have some white eneloops purchased about 10 years ago from a major camera retailer in Tokyo. They still work fine but the sample size is small. They were a bit expensive and don't have as much capacity as a premium alkaline. Will keep using them.

[John Garza (3665)]

I get the impression a lot of the people out there simply leave batteries in the calculators all the time.
And then they complain when 'bitten' with corrosion. Risky.

In general, I only install batteries when I want to use a machine.

And I have built external power sources - essentially a remote battery pack. This keeps the possibly offending batteries a good distance away from the machine. OK for desk work, which works for me these days.

-J

[carey]

(11-01-2024 11:23 PM)John Garza (3665) Wrote:  I get the impression a lot of the people out there simply leave batteries in the calculators all the time.
And then they complain when 'bitten' with corrosion. Risky.

In general, I only install batteries when I want to use a machine.

Good advice…except for the HP28 and HP19BII (unless rear battery door) as minimizing opening and closing their battery compartments might help lengthen their lives.

[emefff]

A few months ago, I found a NOS 42s for a good price on ebay. I asked the seller, if he had removed the batteries from the calc in the 90s.

I received no answer and the ad disappeared the next day.

Another good calc destroyed.

I do a monthly check of all calculators with batteries, this should be sufficient. Also, I don't want to remove batteries from the 41s as they naturally will lose their contents.

[John Garza (3665)]

Yes, as I suspected. Continuous Memory lures people into leaving batteries installed all the time.

Too bad battery tech was so primitive in those days. It got better when they could be powered with coin cells that are less prone to leakage. Besides leaky N cells (I haven't seen Energizer Lithium N cells yet), the 41C is in my opinion not a suitable 'daily driver' due to it's fragile construction, unless you have a few backup machines. I find a DM42 much better. But you could always build an external battery pack or power supply to eliminate the corrosion issue.
-J

(11-02-2024 07:37 AM)emefff Wrote:  I do a monthly check of all calculators with batteries, this should be sufficient. Also, I don't want to remove batteries from the 41s as they naturally will lose their contents.

[HPing]

(11-02-2024 11:37 AM)John Garza (3665) Wrote:  But you could always build an external battery pack or power supply to eliminate the corrosion issue.

Just unplug the wall wart when not in use to avoid spikes from the mains. . .

[Uli]

VARTA AAA, blue colored, new, leaking.

I have been very satisfied with VARTA batteries so far.
But right now I'm having bad experiences with one type.
Some of them have leaked in devices. Others are leaking in unopened original packaging.
They are
VARTA, Longlife Power, AAA, alkaline, blue, Best before 12-2030, Made in Germany.
I am currently in the process of checking all devices. If I find this battery, I will dispose of it. Even the AA version. But only these blue colored ones.
I will replace some of them with Energizer Lithium and some with Energizer AAA, AA, Alkaline.
In my HP71b I am using Eneloop since years, without problems.
Unfortunately the Eneloop are to long for the HP200LX. I think they stress the housing.

[Ren]

In the electronics forum I frequent Duracell batteries are often referred to as Duraleak.
Apparently Proctor and Gamble bought them and are milking their reputation for profit while the quality has been steadily decreasing.

[AnnoyedOne]

Years ago I bought a few packs of store brand Carbon-Zinc C cells. Earlier this year I found some unused ones in a drawer that had "leaked". Out they went.

I've been using non-Duracell alkaline AA's for years without issue. Also Energizer Lithium AA's which as already noted are very pricey. In my experience they don't last much longer than alkalines in most applications.

As for coin cells I've yet to see any "leak". That said I use name brand ones and not "cheapies".

I've never tried Eneloop rechargeables but have a drawer full of other brands.

In some devices I remove the batteries, others not. That said I check them every year or so.

A1

[emefff]

Coin cells leak too. That's why older cameras with metal housings sometimes had vents in their battery lids, like the Nikon F3. By chance, this camera had the same battery requirements as the Voyager series.

[Jase]

(11-02-2024 05:10 PM)Ren Wrote:  In the electronics forum I frequent Duracell batteries are often referred to as Duraleak.

Unfortunately, that has been my personal experience as well

On the YouTubes... Project Farm (Todd) performed a slew of battery tests. As I was researching for the URLs, I realized there are a couple videos I had not even seen - so I'll be watching those, now.

Which AA Battery is Best?

Which Rechargeable Battery is the Best?

Which "Lithium" AA Rechargeable Battery is Best?

Which AA Rechargeable Battery is Best after 1 Year?

[Idnarn]

Eneloops are very good. There are several tests online of Eneloops that show how good they are. For general use you would get the low self-discharge variety that is typically painted white in the Eneloop range. There are other types (painted black for example) that suit more specialized uses.

As with all NiMH cells, they supposedly degrade over time, but I use several 10 year old cells that are performing.

[emefff]

I cannot confirm the results of Eneloop rechargables shown in one of these videos. I have an armada of them in use (70+, AA + AAA, white and black), some of them 5+ years old. A small number of them (1 or 2 can't remember) has failed completely, but I do not see notable degradation in the rest. They still have the advertised capacity or more. Sometimes, every 3 or 4 months, I discharge and recharge the whole lot completely. They self-discharge very slowly, even after months in the box they can be used. I think it is most important to use a charger that has single battery monitoring.

[Maximilian Hohmann]

Hello!

(11-02-2024 05:15 PM)AnnoyedOne Wrote:  As for coin cells I've yet to see any "leak". That said I use name brand ones and not "cheapies".

You only can do that if you have a choice. When you buy a device with a battery already installed you often get the cheapest cells that the manufacturer or the previous owner could find. I have had plenty of leaking coin cells of all brands. Even the Swiss made "Renata" cells that come with (Swiss) watches can leak after some years. I have seen leaking coin cells also in several calculators where a coin cell is used to preserve the memory contents when the main batteries get weak, i.e. most graphics calculators from Ti before the latest nSpires which are rechargeable. People think about removing the large batteries when they don't use the calculator for longer periods, but they leave the coin cells inside.

Regarding the original question: I recently came across the original package of my first digital SLR camera (Sigma SD10). Although the camera is designed to work with rechargeable lithium battery packs, it can also be powered from four AA cells. To enable their customers a "quick start" with the camera without having to wait for the batteries to charge, a pack of four expensive Panasonic lithium disposable batteries was included. I never opened that pack and when I found it again after almost 20 years there was a big mess inside. Luckily the bag was still tight. So yes, every kind of battery can leak if you give it enough time.

Regards
Max