My results mirror yours. The CopperTop batteries now leak well before their "use by" date. I have a ruined laser level that unused 2024 batteries leaked in. So ANGRY!!!
Leaking AA batteries
- Thread starter Eddie
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My results mirror yours. The CopperTop batteries now leak well before their "use by" date. I have a ruined laser level that unused 2024 batteries leaked in. So ANGRY!!!
The best thing to do is use a charger that charges cells individually to avoid over or undercharging. When cells are charged in series there could be little differences where one cell might keep on getting a charge or it stops to protect from overcharging the weak cell. There isn't too much of a problem using batteries that are slightly different in terms of capacity/performance. I've got a couple of those Panasonic chargers that you have. I missed out on getting the Costco pack that included one with a USB charging port and a series of adapters in a carrying case.
Also - technically they're not rewrapped Eneloops. They're rewrapped Fujitsus. Back in 2009 when Panasonic purchased Sanyo, they ended up selling their NiMH battery division to FDK Fujitsu to deal with antitrust concerns in the US, China, and EU. Panasonic still markets batteries, although they're made by Fujitsu. The current version came out in 2014, and was developed by Fujitsu. There was a time when Panasonic was buying some low self-discharge NiMH batteries from some company in China, but they weren't very good.
https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/pre...-sets-conditions-panasonics-acquisition-sanyo
https://www.reuters.com/article/urn...ts-to-win-eu-merger-ok-idUS117276493120090930
https://www.reuters.com/article/san...f-battery-business-to-fdk-idUST29375620091028
I've never had an Eneloop (or equivalent) have a leak which resulted in liquid coming out. I did have a few that ended up leaking out some sort of powder, but that didn't damage anything. There are a few others in different labels. I still have some working Sony CycleEnergy batteries that are labelled as made in Japan. They're about 7-8 years old but still work fine. I forgot them in a bag after about 5 years and they still had a charge.
As far as alkalines go - most will leak if they're depleted all the way down and they're not replaced in time.
Personally, I'm very happy with Ikea Ladda batteries and their Kvarts wall charger while I use MiBoxer charger mostly.
I use white jacketed ones, they are made in Japan by Panasonic being same thing as Eneloops, great batteries and at great price in Ikea.
I use white jacketed ones, they are made in Japan by Panasonic being same thing as Eneloops, great batteries and at great price in Ikea.
Ikea purchases batteries from Fujitsu. Panasonic has been out of the NiMH battery manufacturing business for over a decade.
I've also seen more Duracell leaks than others, though in recent years I've tried to keep track of things using alkalines and check those more often, so if they leak I catch it before it's damaging or requires disassembly to clean it. I now have a list of what has alkalines or rechargeables in it, which I started making to try to figure out where the heck all my NiMH batteries went but then the list became useful for checking alkalines too.
I've switched to Fujitsu, Eneloop, and Tenergy LSD NiMH for most things designed for alkalines except clocks, and mains AC powered smoke detector backup batteries which are 9V, though when a product comes with primary cells (which the smoke detectors did IIRC, as do many remote controls) I go ahead and use them till they're exhausted or leak. I got bulk of the Tenergy Centura AA a few years back on sale and they've been a great value but their diameter is slightly larger so they don't fit a few things with poorly dimensioned battery bays.
I've only had one set of no-name brand NiMH that leaked a powdery residue out the back but they came out of the package that way.
Fujitsu and Eneloop Pro, have not done well for me. Their IR went high fast and their capacity tanked, well before 100 cycles. I started out using them in flashlights and now only put them in very low drain devices like remote controls and battery backup for mains AC powered clocks.
I've switched to Fujitsu, Eneloop, and Tenergy LSD NiMH for most things designed for alkalines except clocks, and mains AC powered smoke detector backup batteries which are 9V, though when a product comes with primary cells (which the smoke detectors did IIRC, as do many remote controls) I go ahead and use them till they're exhausted or leak. I got bulk of the Tenergy Centura AA a few years back on sale and they've been a great value but their diameter is slightly larger so they don't fit a few things with poorly dimensioned battery bays.
I've only had one set of no-name brand NiMH that leaked a powdery residue out the back but they came out of the package that way.
Fujitsu and Eneloop Pro, have not done well for me. Their IR went high fast and their capacity tanked, well before 100 cycles. I started out using them in flashlights and now only put them in very low drain devices like remote controls and battery backup for mains AC powered clocks.
Get notices from local fire district about assisting with battery installation on smoke detectors. Think notice states no Duracell.
Interesting, would you care to share where the info comes from re Fujitsu made Ikea labeled batts?
I know Panny bought Sanyo (who originally produces 'loops) in 2009 thus 'loops batteries were labeled as made by Panny from then on, and Panny was still documented making them in 2015.
And I read someplace there was only one factory in Japan that made NiMH batteries while labeling them for all other brands (made in Japan NiMH batteries).
Here is WiKi on 'loops: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eneloop
One of the main and the original reason I started switching to NiMH (Ladda) batts was flashlight use, still use them and am very happy with them.
I carry spare batt for my Fenix light thou, batt lasts longer than alc batt but 'dies' rather quickly when getting low on charge.
I can't specifically verify where Ikea buys them, but it's a pretty simple logical conclusion. It says it right in the Wikipedia entry on Eneloop that you linked that Panasonic/Sanyo sold off their NiMH battery business to FDK/Fujitsu.
I stand corrected, thank you.
Still same manuf process and batt composition it seems, and they Ladda are my go to batts since I discovered them, very good price at Ikea for same batts as Fujitsu or similar.
Still same manuf process and batt composition it seems, and they Ladda are my go to batts since I discovered them, very good price at Ikea for same batts as Fujitsu or similar.
+1
"I have not had ANY brand of alkaline battery that hasn't leaked.
I have switched to using old-fashioned zinc-carbon batteries in all of my remote controls because of leaking alkaline batteries. They used to be much cheaper than alkaline batteries but now they are about the same price. "
Get em cheap at HF.
"I have not had ANY brand of alkaline battery that hasn't leaked.
I have switched to using old-fashioned zinc-carbon batteries in all of my remote controls because of leaking alkaline batteries. They used to be much cheaper than alkaline batteries but now they are about the same price. "
Get em cheap at HF.
I had an inexpensive flashlite ruined by a name brand alkaline battery, forget which company, but always wanted to test the part where on the battery it says "if this ruins your device, we will repair or replace the device". I called the #, and she says what is the date on the battery? It didn't have one! Knock-off I guess.
The worst leaking alkalines I've ever encountered were Ikea made for them by Varta. It said that it was made by Varta along with "Made in Germany" on the label. Those things leaked long before they were fully drained. I get that some batteries leak but these were almost guaranteed to leak.
Heck - I've some batteries I got in 2011. Member's Mark at Sam's Club, which seemed to have the same construction as Energizer. They hadn't leaked even in around 2020 when I just replaced them anyways.
I tried to use a flashlight today. Wouldn't work. I opened it up to replace the batteries, and the Duracell "Procell" AAA's had leaked and caused corrosion of the springs and contacts, ruining the flashlight.
Yes, we too in the remotes! Freaking alkaline batteries are garbage for low drain devices in which they sit for a long time.
Using made in China batteries?
JHZR2
Staff member
Ive generally bought Rayovac because they claim to be US made. Some of those seem to not hold SOC when in the package, before the "due date". Was given costo batteries in some kids toys, of which a good number leaked; dont recall COO but I wouldnt doubt it.
We had some of those leak in a timer and another device, FWIW when I called them up they sent me a check to buy new devices and sent a coupon for more batteries. The lady on the phone asked what the devices sold for so I gave her Amazon's current price and that's what I got.
Oh wow! Now that is service.
I’ll have to give them a call.
Thanks for mentioning that.
I am yet to see a leaking Energizer lithium battery. I'm sure they do leak, but in years since they became available I have never had a problem. I have had copper top batteries leak and damage good flashlights. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.
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