Anybody else finding lots of leaking dry-cell batteries?

[Old Crow]

I've noticed over the last year or so that I'm finding more instances of corrosion damage in my battery-powered devices than usual.

I suppose that could be coincidence or that finding one alerts me to look for others. But this morning I found five corroded (leaking) batteries among the 14 batteries left in my supply box of new AAAs. This is one of those 36-count boxes of Rayovac batteries from Walmart. The batteries are each dated as being good to November 2025.

That led me to this recent article: Rant: Our RAYOVAC batteries leak so much we're switching to DURACELL. That photo at the top is the 36-count box I'm talking about.

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I checked other battery-powered devices today and found corrosion in two of them-- a TV controller and an infra-red temp gun. In both cases those were AAA-powered and I was using Lowe's Utilitech batteries in them. In both cases one of the two batteries had leaked but I was able to clean up the contacts with some white vinegar.

I've lost several devices to leaking batteries this year and figured it was due to the occasional leaker we all find from time to time. But today is the first time I've found corrosion in a box of new batteries still years away from their expiration date.

Anyone else seeing more dry-cell battery corrosion than usual?
.

 

[PaulT]

I quit buying Kirkland brand alkaline batteries due to leakage a couple of years ago when they changed suppliers. Prior to that, I bought only their brand due to its quality & price. Still buy at Costco, but just the Duracells now. One lost expensive electronics item consumes any savings due to lower price over many packages of batteries.

Paul

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

I quit buying Kirkland brand alkaline batteries due to leakage a couple of years ago when they changed suppliers. Prior to that, I bought only their brand due to its quality & price. Still buy at Costco, but just the Duracells now. One lost expensive electronics item consumes any savings due to lower price over many packages of batteries.

Paul

Same here. Only Duracell batts

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

I have noticed some leaking ones over the years,not many though.
I also but "Duracell".
Frank

 

[billharr]

Also Duracells only. Did have one leak, called and got a gift card for $50 to replace my LED Maglite.

 

[Espresso]

My understanding is batteries leak when they slowly lose their charge. This is the case with many of the newer electronic devices that have a parasitic drain on the batteries. The batteries leak when the charge drops to a certain point and continue to drain. It must be true because I read it on the internet.

It hurts when a $0.25 battery ruins an expensive device. I noticed lithium batteries at Costco that the mfg claims will never leak. They're more expensive, but I'm thinking of giving them a try because at PaulT stated, one less ruined device will pay for a lot of batteries. I'm trying to think of the most expensive device I've lost to leaking batteries. I think it was a rotating laser level.

 

[PokyBro]

I’ve had the same experience with Rayovac batteries from Walmart. Stop buying that brand years ago.

 

[craig333]

I buy most of my batteries from https://www.batteryjunction.com/
I buy the Titanium in cr123 form, no problems.
Eneloop rechargeables in many forms, no problems.
Ultrafire 18650s rechargeable with no problems.

Amazon Basics in any form STAY AWAY. Pure junk.