[Wayner]

I opened a remote control the other day to find the bottom of the Duracell AA batteries had sprung a leak and were corroding my remote's negative terminal contacts. After opening all of the other remotes that I have, I have discovered 4 other remotes with the same problem.

I also had a wall clock go to hell awhile ago, but thought that was a freaky coincidence, but not any more. Duracell has a problem with their AA size batteries.

I suggest everyone go take a look at their stuff that might use this size and brand of battery for possible leakage problems.

Just a heads up for all.

I'm switching to the bunny.

Wayner

[dmatt]

Happened to me too.  I buy Duracell AA batteries in the bulk packs from Costco and store in the freezer until used.  I have had them leak in remotes, flashlights, and toys.  I wasn't sure if this was a function of the Costco purchase or the brand, but the other batteries I have used in similar situations (not a controlled experiment -- disclaimer) haven't given me problems -- they just exist peacefully until I use up the juice.

On a similar note, my Vandersteen 5As had eight Duracell 9V batteries in the four speaker crossovers.  When I replaced them, five out of the eight had leaked.

Cheers

[coke]

I use sanyo eneloops in almost everything. These won't leak and have many other benefits over alkaline.

http://www.amazon.com/Sanyo-Eneloop-Charger-Batteries-Adpaters/dp/B00B51D6NQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1384374419&sr=8-3&keywords=sanyo+eneloop

[Bemopti123]

Did this have anything to do with the charge state?  I usually find batteries, be it alkaline branded or generic or carbon batteries to leak when charge levels are low.  I have yet to develop problems with the Sanyo Enelope. 

[jtwrace]

On a similar note, my Vandersteen 5As had eight Duracell 9V batteries in the four speaker crossovers.  When I replaced them, five out of the eight had leaked.
Cheers

How often do they need to be replaced?

[Wayner]

BTW, the AVA remotes use the AAA size and the Duracell brand doesn't seem to be a problem in this size.

Wayner

[Wayner]

Did this have anything to do with the charge state?  I usually find batteries, be it alkaline branded or generic or carbon batteries to leak when charge levels are low.  I have yet to develop problems with the Sanyo Enelope.

I've replaced other batteries (that came with the remote) when they were depleted and didn't have any leakage problems. Batteries from Sony or even goofy oddball brands that I have never heard of never leaked at the end of their charge life.

Wayner

[avahifi]

The only AVA remote control we have needed to replace in years happened just today.

The lady called with the sad news, her dog ate (chewed beyond salvage) the remote control unit.  Fortunately the dog was OK.  She salvaged the AAA size batteries from it. They were still fine.

Frank

[dmatt]

How often do they need to be replaced?

The 5A manual says "the battery pack ... has a life expetancy of 7+ years" but Richard Vandersteen in an 1998 Soundstage interview said that "The crossover bias batteries have an expected lifetime of at least five years".  I didn't put the first set in, so I am not sure whether the date was set for 5 yrs or 7 yrs. 

I plan to replace the new batteries I put in at 4 years -- its not hard for me and the batteries aren't expensive, but I also change my own engine oil at 3K miles.

[Elizabeth]

More to do with single batches of batteries than 'ALL' batteries of a brand.
So I am not even gonna' worry about the brand mentioned
I will never buy Ray-O-Vac batteries though after they killed an expensive flashlight. They swelled up and would have had to be drilled out to remove them. Sucked.

On the remote front: yes one set of Walgreen batteries went bad and corroded the base area of my TV remote. A few hardly used buttons down near the bottom do not work very well anymore.

I check my remotes every month or so for this problem. All it takes is a peek under the battery lid and all is well.

[Wayner]

These were not batteries from a single batch. almost all had different dates on them.

Wayner

[tonyptony]

BTW, the AVA remotes use the AAA size and the Duracell brand doesn't seem to be a problem in this size.

Wayner

I've been having trouble with both AA and AAA Duracells. I've used these for over 30 years but it's only recently that they've been leaking. Very troubling as it seems to be happening to a lot of people (I've heard this from others as well). Is it possible Duracell isn't "Duracell" anymore?

[Crimson]

I've been having trouble with both AA and AAA Duracells. I've used these for over 30 years but it's only recently that they've been leaking. Very troubling as it seems to be happening to a lot of people (I've heard this from others as well). Is it possible Duracell isn't "Duracell" anymore?

+1.

I used to use the copper top exclusively. Now it's the energizer bunny.

[Bemopti123]

I've been having trouble with both AA and AAA Duracells. I've used these for over 30 years but it's only recently that they've been leaking. Very troubling as it seems to be happening to a lot of people (I've heard this from others as well). Is it possible Duracell isn't "Duracell" anymore?

As a person who lives in NYC, I have seen Duracells from many places.  I mean with foreign logos.  For sure they are Duracell but they are made in different factories and countries.  I wonder if the batteries at question have and their leakage have anything to do with the dilution of original Duracell quality control or the like.  I have experiences many swollen alkaline batteries and Duracell leakage, for me it is no stranger.  My experience with leakage has always been batteries that were to the point of drainage.

[Bemopti123]

Talking about the grey market duracells....

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/19939140

[FullRangeMan]

I opened a remote control the other day to find the bottom of the Duracell AA batteries had sprung a leak and were corroding my remote's negative terminal contacts. After opening all of the other remotes that I have, I have discovered 4 other remotes with the same problem.

I also had a wall clock go to hell awhile ago, but thought that was a freaky coincidence, but not any more. Duracell has a problem with their AA size batteries.

I suggest everyone go take a look at their stuff that might use this size and brand of battery for possible leakage problems.

Just a heads up for all.

I'm switching to the bunny.

Wayner

This happen to me in the 1990s, I use cheap RayoVac since then.

[2gumby2]

I stopped using Duracell a couple of years ago due to their corrosion issues. I've been using RayoVac since then without any problems.

[Phil A]

I've used Duracell AAA and AA battery packs from Costco for years and never a leak problem in any remote.  However, I have to qualify it in that I use Harmony remotes and I don't use the remotes on a daily basis.  They may get used on average once a month (but they generally stay in the remote for years).  I did use up until recent times batteries in an outdoor temperature sensor with an indoor unit and did not have any problems.  I keep the batteries in the pantry at room temperature

[twitch54]

Energizer Lithium …..a little more $ yet worth every penny !

[loopyground]

I opened a remote control the other day to find the bottom of the Duracell AA batteries had sprung a leak and were corroding my remote's negative terminal contacts. After opening all of the other remotes that I have, I have discovered 4 other remotes with the same problem.

I also had a wall clock go to hell awhile ago, but thought that was a freaky coincidence, but not any more. Duracell has a problem with their AA size batteries.

I suggest everyone go take a look at their stuff that might use this size and brand of battery for possible leakage problems.

Just a heads up for all.

I'm switching to the bunny.

Wayner

I put a claim into Proctor & Gamble (Duracell Team) for the replacement of a Phonic Personal Audio Analyzer and received the total amount claimed of approximately $450.00.  I would suggest claiming for any damage to equipment costing more than a flashlight.  The following letter following initial phone contact plus receipts and photographs did the trick:
To:        Proctor & Gamble – Duracell Team

From:       

Date:      March 25, 2012

Subject:     Leaking Duracell® AA Batteries

Your Reference: 11334211

I contacted your Customer Service March 12, 2012, to complain about two instances of leaking Duracell® AA Batteries:

1.   On changing a table clock to Daylight Saving Time I found the Duracell®  Ultra AA battery had leaked but was I able to clean off the leaked material successfully.  The battery had March 2012 on it but the clock was still functioning and giving the correct time.  I understood from your Customer Service that your batteries should not leak even when they are rundown.  Obviously I would not have known the battery was leaking but for the change to DST.  Since I would not have opened the clock and replaced the battery until the clock stopped. 

2.   Prior to Item 1, I went to use my Phonic PAA2 Handheld Audio Analyzer only to find it would not turn on.  Checked the batteries and two of the four had leaked and there was a lot of solid deposited in the battery compartment which I scraped off and sanded off the best I could.  These four Duracell® AA Batteries had March 2015 printed on them.  These batteries replaced the original batteries that came with the Phonic PAA2 and as I always do, the voltages were checked before installation with a Fluke multimeter and were all 1.60 – 1.61volts (all 2015).  The only times the PAA2 had been used in the last 9 months was using the a/c adaptor.  Since the PAA2 has a 10 -15 minute automatic shutoff accidental unplugging of the adaptor could not have run down the batteries.  In any case your batteries are not supposed to leak according to your Customer Service.

On turning on the Phonic PAA2 with four new Duracell®  AA batteries the display lit up for a moment and then faded away and would not light up again.  Called a repair shop and estimate of the repair cost would be $55.00 but if repair was accepted that amount would be credited.  After about 4 weeks I had an email with photos attached saying that the PAA2 had liquid / water damage and was not economically repairable.

Since I needed the PAA2 after waiting so long I had to order a Phonic PAA3 as the PAA2 had been replaced by this new model which was more expensive and of course, the old model was not available.

The Phonic PAA2 roughly assembled for shipping purposes is enclosed along with the battery from Item 1 and the four batteries from Item 2 for your examination.  Also enclosed are forms you have asked me to complete.

The following items are also enclosed:

•   Base of 36 bulk pack packaging carton purchased at Costco, St. Catharines, Ontario.
•   Repair estimate receipts and damage photo copies.
•   Receipt for original Phonic PAA2 Audio Analyzer.
•   Receipt for replacement Phonic PAA3 Audio Analyzer.

The PAA2 and batteries have always been stored at normal home temperatures (heated and air conditioned). 

I am very disappointed by these two instances of battery leakage not to mention the substantial cost involved in the repair estimate, shipping costs and replacement Phonic PAA3.  I have been a regular user of your batteries as long as I can remember as they have always lasted longer and never caused any problems until now.

I have an important question regarding the shelf life of your batteries.  I always get your AA, AAA and 9 volt batteries at Costco in bulk to save money being a senior on a fixed income.  I buy batteries for my home and my in laws’ home so I buy quite a lot of batteries.  My last bulk package purchase of your AA batteries from Costco has a 2017 date stamp on the packaging but would 2015 batteries still be okay to use if I still had any left (which I don’t)?

I look forward to hearing from you in due course as to why these batteries leaked and how I can feel confident in buying your batteries in the future.  Also, I would hope that Duracell would live up to your guarantee displayed on your packaging and offer compensation for my unexpected expense. 

Regards,

Sorry for the long post but I thought it might be helpful.

Cheers