Bad alkaline batteries

[Chubbo]

As I've previously stated, I'm a flashlight/ cordless tool addict; I've got em everywhere; in my car, motorcycles, Sidecars, workshops, and residence. One very popular brand of alkaline batteries, have swelled up in, and ruined a countless number of my flashlights, and also many cordless tools i.e., Duracell-alkaline, Coppertop batteries, and that's the only brand that I've ever had to do this.

I purchased a couple of costly Mini Maglite flashlights around the first of 2022, That feature off/on switches, the latest technology, and Duracell batteries, but I thought I'll just watch 'em close. They've been used equally, but when I tried to use one of them today it didn't light, the batteries are swelled up, locked tight, and the flashlight is ruined. More money lost, due to DURACELL alkaline batteries.

That cussed brand Is guaranteed not to fail in that manner, but require proof, that the battery swollen tight in the flashlight is theirs, to honor the claim. The Duracell Co. knows that it costs the claimant less to just buy another flashlight, than to process their claim

 

[Protocall_Design]

The Duracell were the best ones until they moved manufacturing to China. Then they started having all the problems.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Have had this happen, but it didn't do it this fast!
Took several years.
Recommend checking - rotating batteries every few years.
But if they bloat in 5 Months, they got me too!
That is absolutely unacceptable.

 

[IronSkillet]

"Copper Top's" no more. Rayovac are gtg, and as a special bonus IMHO they are Made in USA.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I use several Mini-Mag Solitare (about the size of a cigarette) lights in emergency kits. In 2016 I was cleaning the barn out to move. In a pile of stuff from emptying out one of the work vehicles years before, I found on of the small Band-Aide box kits. The Pepto-Bismol pills expired in 1992! The Energizer AAA battery still had a charge! It lasted all of 20 seconds, but with a charge they don't leak. I replaced the expired pills and stuff. And replaced the Energizer Alkaline battery with a AAA Lithium battery and put the kit in my newest truck!

For anything AA, AAA, and 9V, I have gone to Lithium. For one thing they still work at 20 Below 0 Fahrenheit. When they're dead they don't leak.

Ivan

 

[Gamecock]

Berkshire-Hathaway bought Duracell a few years ago. They closed the factory in Lancaster, SC, where AA batteries were made. Don't know where they are made now.

Project farm on Youtube recommends Eveready now. I was a longtime Duracell user, now an Eveready user.

 

[kev74]

I've had better luck with Harbor Freight batteries than I have with Duracell.

 

[g-dad]

I've been wondering lately if I had purchased a bad batch of Duracell's. Very short life span and several triple A's have leaked. Time to move on to something else.

Thanks for the heads up!

 

[mckenney99]

I Used to swear BY Duracell's, now I swear AT them. Like a lot of us, I have a flashlight fetish and they are stashed everywhere, usually in pairs. I just recently went through my home and auto trauma kits and sure enough I found 2 mini maglights with swelled up Duracells in them. I also found 2 penlights that were completely ruined by swelled and leaking Duracells.
Now if I purchase any device and find Duracells, the Duracells go straight into the battery recycle bin.
Like Ivan, all AA, AAA and 9 Volts have been changed over to Energizer Lithiums.

 

[DWalt]

I normally use whatever alkaline batteries Dollar Tree sells. No problems with them yet.

 

[Krogen]

I used to buy Duracells. I had good results for a very long time. Then all of a sudden, darn near every one of them leaked. It was an abrupt change and got my attention. I went to Eveready and haven't had further leak problems. Pretty clear to me that Duracell became junk.

 

[Tex1001]

I, too got fed up with not just Duracells, but Ds, AAs, and AAAs in general.
A year and a half ago I found the 18650 rechargeable batteries and their flashlights. No leaks or swelling. Rechargeable batteries have several applications. the flashlights have outputs of 2000 to 4000 lumens.
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B09VGKMM35/?coliid=ITHC775TJY0MG&colid=MV8MB44F62M6&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

[K-22]

You Tube

As I've previously stated, I'm a flashlight/ cordless tool addict; I've got em everywhere; in my car, motorcycles, Sidecars, workshops, and residence. One very popular brand of alkaline batteries, have swelled up in, and ruined a countless number of my flashlights, and also many cordless tools i.e., Duracell-alkaline, Coppertop batteries, and that's the only brand that I've ever had to do this.

I purchased a couple of costly Mini Maglite flashlights around the first of 2022, That feature off/on switches, the latest technology, and Duracell batteries, but I thought I'll just watch 'em close. They've been used equally, but when I tried to use one of them today it didn't light, the batteries are swelled up, locked tight, and the flashlight is ruined. More money lost, due to DURACELL alkaline batteries.

That cussed brand Is guaranteed not to fail in that manner, but require proof, that the battery swollen tight in the flashlight is theirs, to honor the claim. The Duracell Co. knows that it costs the claimant less to just buy another flashlight, than to process their claim

Check out You Tube.
I had the same problem and got it handled.

Best,
Gary

 

[wood714]

I bought a large pack of Duracell AA's a few years ago, and they started leaking before I could use them.

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

Lots of counterfeit Duracell's out there. I have had a lot of leakers as well and have switched to Eveready.

How to spot a counterfeit duracell:

Counterfeit Duracell Coppertop AA / AAA Batteries | Consumer Alert

 

[SS336]

I too have not had good luck with Duracell batteries lately. Two ruined flashlights and a couple other battery powered tools.
I have switched to Eveready and so far, so good.
It's too bad because it was such an iconic brand and their reputation seems to have suffered a lot.

 

[Tom S.]

Lots of counterfeit Duracell's out there. I have had a lot of leakers as well and have switched to Eveready.

How to spot a counterfeit duracell:

Counterfeit Duracell Coppertop AA / AAA Batteries | Consumer Alert

Thanks for saving me the time posting this! Just like the boatload of Leopold counterfeits that were discovered a few years back, Duracell has been hit hard as well as other top name brands and even US collectable coins have been cloned by unscrupulous Chinese counterfeiters.

 

[pawngal]

I've mostly used Energizer for years, have had flashlights wouldn't work at all with Duracells.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Just bought some Panasonic AAs at Dollar Tree.
Then went next door to Sprouts and bought a Street Taco Kit.
The Tacos were good, too early to report about the Panasonics.

 

[oink]

I also have to agree with the Duracell comments. Pure garbage. I'll never buy them again. I've been burnt by them more than twice unfortunately. I've finally learned.