Is My Flashlight Battery Dead?

[Wandering Sagebrush]

I stumbled across a neat way to check battery condition without using a multi-meter, or finding yourself in the dark. To be honest, I haven't tried this yet, but I suspect it's legit...

Checking your battery.

 

[jha6av8r]

Running to my kitchen drawer now to start dropping batteries.

 

[Ted]

I just tried this on some AA's that were loose in a drawer (yes, that same junk drawer in the kitchen that JHa6av8r has). They bounced. Now I need a meter to confirm. Dang it, my kingdom for a meter!

 

[takesiteasy]

I just tried this on some AA's that were loose in a drawer (yes, that same junk drawer in the kitchen that JHa6av8r has). They bounced. Now I need a meter to confirm. Dang it, my kingdom for a meter!

My thought too. The bounce test will just cause me to get my meter out to test for sure. I'm too cheap to just toss them without confirmation.

Thanks for the fun post.

 

[N'kwala]

Hm. So for what it's worth I opened up a package of AAs and they didn't bounce. And then I went out to the can of dead batteries that I've been meaning to take to the recycling depot and they all bounced. Not real rigorous, but I think I wouldn't pack bouncy batteries as spares.

Thanks for the post.

 

[jha6av8r]

My thought too. The bounce test will just cause me to get my meter out to test for sure. I'm too cheap to just toss them without confirmation.

Thanks for the fun post.

My wife wouldn't let throw the bouncy ones out so now they all belong to her.

 

[super doody]

Does it work on car batteries ? Watch your toes!

 

[Smokecreek1]

Wow, interesting!

Smoke

 

[ckent323]

I saw a warning not to try this with Lithium batteries.

Best I can determine the battery cell produces hydrogen gas that Is contained in the sealed cell. This pressure leads to the bouncing.

Seems consistent with the old used up Alkaline batteries popping open that most of us have experienced at one time or another.

Not sure if C cell and D-cell Alkaline batteries will behave the same. Larger mass may overcome the pressure effect.