I was using Ray-o-Vac alkaline batteries for a while,, as they were cheaper than the usual Duracell or Energizer alternatives, but they tended to leak . These days, I use the 1.5V lithium batteries. These are hilariously more expensive than equivalent alkaline units, but they don't leak when they run down.
I recently viewed a Youtube video featuring a shootout between several varieties of AA batteries, powering these little portable fans. The batteries that came out the best were the premium alkaline batteries from Harbor Freight, (THunderbolt Edge) with more endurance than even the 1.5V lithium AA cells. The worst ones were the Harbor Freight cheapo alkalines (Thunderbolt Magnum).
Here's the video:
I recently viewed a Youtube video featuring a shootout between several varieties of AA batteries, powering these little portable fans. The batteries that came out the best were the premium alkaline batteries from Harbor Freight, (THunderbolt Edge) with more endurance than even the 1.5V lithium AA cells. The worst ones were the Harbor Freight cheapo alkalines (Thunderbolt Magnum).
Here's the video:
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CBC tested batteries - The results would suprise some people...
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/marketplace-battery-test-1.6403542
Some results are as expected:
"Steingart, who has run tests similar to Marketplace's, said: "I couldn't find a single use case where the zinc carbon outperformed in any way the alkaline cells…. There's no reason to sell a zinc carbon system in 2022.""
He didn't test shelf life. Carbon Zinc batteries can hold their charge voltage for decades. I've seen 50 year old Eveready C batteries in old VTVMs that still measure as new. I don't think alkaline can do that, and they don't like working in a hot chassis.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/marketplace-battery-test-1.6403542
Some results are as expected:
"Steingart, who has run tests similar to Marketplace's, said: "I couldn't find a single use case where the zinc carbon outperformed in any way the alkaline cells…. There's no reason to sell a zinc carbon system in 2022.""
He didn't test shelf life. Carbon Zinc batteries can hold their charge voltage for decades. I've seen 50 year old Eveready C batteries in old VTVMs that still measure as new. I don't think alkaline can do that, and they don't like working in a hot chassis.
When you get a new cheapo Chinese DVM, it will invariably be loaded with a standard carbon-zinc "heavy duty" battery. My advice is to toss that battery immediately, as it lifetime will be p***-poor and it will pee all over your battery compartment when it expires. Rip it out, toss it, and replace it with the alkaline cell of your choice. Also, rotate the batteries out periodically so they don't get run down and leak.
Never seen a carbon cell leak. I made an alkaline pop once by charging it from a car battery 🙂 I had a fun childhood.
I use it until it's dead, then replace it with lithium.
http://www.pkcellpower.com/cr9v/
I use it until it's dead, then replace it with lithium.
http://www.pkcellpower.com/cr9v/
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Well..... I just went into the city on Friday and bought GP brand rechargeable AA batteries. They are for my Zoom H4n recorder gadget. That thing has a voracious appetite for AA cells. The Panasonic are hard to find here, so I bought what they have. I'm impressed, a pair of the rechargeable lasted 9.5 hours in normal record mode. With two sets of those, no worries no more.
I also use rechargeable 9V in Shure ULX wireless microphones. With a season of over 70 shows and 28 mics, that would be a huge pile of wasted batteries. So far the rechargeable 9V have been great, going on their fourth season. We lose a few, but not too bad. Back in '91 I swore to never, ever use rechargeable batteries in wireless mics again. I was doing a long run show in the Soviet Union and knew 9V batteries would be hard to find. The batteries we brought sucked so bad we had to have someone bring alkaline 9Vs from western Europe. Short life, awful sound. Never again, I swore. But 30 years later things are much better and I use them now, tho I still feel a little nervous.
I had a thermostat ruined by Duracell AA batteries. It didn't just leak. It ate up the circuit board traces. I never use Duracell AA or AAA anymore. Their 9V still seem to be OK.
I know of a TV studio where they instituted a rule against using Duracell AA/AAA batteries in any equipment.
I know of a TV studio where they instituted a rule against using Duracell AA/AAA batteries in any equipment.
I've seen plenty of the no-name cheapo carbon-zinc "heavy duty" batteries with issues. I just saw a listing on E-pay for 9V Energizer ultimate lithium 9V batteries with prices somewhat within reason. When I get the chance, I'll buy some up and replace all the alkaline 9V batteries in my DVMs. The $25 9000 count DVM from Marlon P. Jones takes two 1.5V cells - I dumped the cheap carbon-zinc no-name batteries that came with the DVM and replaced them with lithium cells.
I haven't had Energizers leak but I've had a lot of duracells leak. Some that leaked were sealed in their original packaging and a few years away from their expiration date. I won't buy any duracells anymore.
I don't know how battery construction has changed over the years but in the 70s and 80s it seemed like they all leaked pretty fast and then for awhile leaking batteries wasn't something that I heard about and then I started hearing a lot of negative comments about duracells leaking.
I like the eneloops and have started using them in most things. Flashlights that get stored in cars get energizer lithium batteries and really slow usage devices like clocks get Energizers. I tried the expensive 10 year lithium 9 volts in smoke detectors and have found nothing beats rayovac high energy in those for some reason.
I don't know how battery construction has changed over the years but in the 70s and 80s it seemed like they all leaked pretty fast and then for awhile leaking batteries wasn't something that I heard about and then I started hearing a lot of negative comments about duracells leaking.
I like the eneloops and have started using them in most things. Flashlights that get stored in cars get energizer lithium batteries and really slow usage devices like clocks get Energizers. I tried the expensive 10 year lithium 9 volts in smoke detectors and have found nothing beats rayovac high energy in those for some reason.
I made the mistake of powering a clock with Rayovac alkaline AAAs - they leaked and the clock hasn't been the same since. The same was true for some battery-power LED motion detector wall sconces.
Since we're talking about batteries, who else remembers the Battery of the Month club at **** shack?
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I had their club card for years, but they insisted on getting your phone number.
They carried some decent $1.99 (at the time) Alps stereo volume controls that I used a lot of.
https://www.radioshack.com/products/radioshack-100k-dual-ganged-stereo-volume-control
They carried some decent $1.99 (at the time) Alps stereo volume controls that I used a lot of.
https://www.radioshack.com/products/radioshack-100k-dual-ganged-stereo-volume-control
OMG for real! "Can I get your name? Address? Phone number? Postal code? Does your grandmother smoke? What brand?"
HAHA
The answer that shut them up was always "cash"...
That became an actual controversy at the time, the first business trying to steal your information.
Of course, I just gave them a fake phone number.
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That was always my father's answer. I was usually more of a pain in the butt. "Why do you want to know, what are you going to use it for? Who's asking?" No wonder I have no friends.
