Batteries! *Dim, Flicker and fizzle* darn!!!

Andy Griffith

Andy Griffith

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Almost sounds like a Lucas Electrics advertisement, doesn't it?

Like the the three-position Lucas switch--DIM, FLICKER and OFF. The other three switch settings--SMOKE, SMOLDER and IGNITE.

(For those that have worked on vintage Land Rovers and MG's, you know what I mean
icon_wink.gif
)

Anyway...

I have just about had it with modern batteries!
(I'm only talking about ones in sizes from CR2/CR123 through D "cartridge style")

I do know that everything is a trade off- cost/power/weight/storage/disposal.

A. Alkaline batteries have long shelf lives, but will corrode your item if left it it to long. Alkaline just seems to love aluminum.

B. Lithium-ion batteries (like a CR123, for instance) have even longer shelf lives, but if you use them in a high-drainage device, they become very hot, and can explode!
(I believe a certain member here had this happen and had wonderful pictures of the mess.)

C. Lead Acid batteries...they don't make these in the convenient sizes like AA, C, D and the such, and would still eat away at the device if kept in there too long. However, the idea of having this in a convenient, disposable package I am certain would send shivers down the backs of "greenies" everywhere.

D. Zinc Chloride batteries...while cheaper, don't have as much energy, corrode out faster even if not being used, but can be disposed of in the normal way- the trash can.

Out of all the types of batteries that are least likely to ruin your device by leakage alone is the lithium-ion.

What set me off is the Mrs. left on, for who knows how long my vintage AA Maglite which I have had for over 30 years. (I've got other flashlights, but this one has never failed me, and it's my "go to" piece)

I picked it up last night and it was corroded pretty darn bad inside. It made me cry.
icon_frown.gif

The bezel had been left in the "on" position and it was in a drawer that I would never have placed it in...I have a place for everything and everything a place.

I rinsed it out with vinegar, which I let set in it for a minute, then used soap and water. It lights, seals and the ends work fine now without binding...but the switch up top isn't reliable. I may have to send it back to Maglite.

I guess I'm going to switch to those new lithium AA's that Energizer puts out now.

I will back up and give the Mrs. a benefit of a doubt...it could have been me, and it doesn't matter. What does matter is, this is the first time a battery has leaked on something of mine, and it isn't going to happen again, if possible.

Rant off.
 
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Almost sounds like a Lucas Electrics advertisement, doesn't it?

Like the the three-position Lucas switch--DIM, FLICKER and OFF. The other three switch settings--SMOKE, SMOLDER and IGNITE.

(For those that have worked on vintage Land Rovers and MG's, you know what I mean
icon_wink.gif
)

Anyway...

I have just about had it with modern batteries!
(I'm only talking about ones in sizes from CR2/CR123 through D "cartridge style")

I do know that everything is a trade off- cost/power/weight/storage/disposal.

A. Alkaline batteries have long shelf lives, but will corrode your item if left it it to long. Alkaline just seems to love aluminum.

B. Lithium-ion batteries (like a CR123, for instance) have even longer shelf lives, but if you use them in a high-drainage device, they become very hot, and can explode!
(I believe a certain member here had this happen and had wonderful pictures of the mess.)

C. Lead Acid batteries...they don't make these in the convenient sizes like AA, C, D and the such, and would still eat away at the device if kept in there too long. However, the idea of having this in a convenient, disposable package I am certain would send shivers down the backs of "greenies" everywhere.

D. Zinc Chloride batteries...while cheaper, don't have as much energy, corrode out faster even if not being used, but can be disposed of in the normal way- the trash can.

Out of all the types of batteries that are least likely to ruin your device by leakage alone is the lithium-ion.

What set me off is the Mrs. left on, for who knows how long my vintage AA Maglite which I have had for over 30 years. (I've got other flashlights, but this one has never failed me, and it's my "go to" piece)

I picked it up last night and it was corroded pretty darn bad inside. It made me cry.
icon_frown.gif

The bezel had been left in the "on" position and it was in a drawer that I would never have placed it in...I have a place for everything and everything a place.

I rinsed it out with vinegar, which I let set in it for a minute, then used soap and water. It lights, seals and the ends work fine now without binding...but the switch up top isn't reliable. I may have to send it back to Maglite.

I guess I'm going to switch to those new lithium AA's that Energizer puts out now.

I will back up and give the Mrs. a benefit of a doubt...it could have been me, and it doesn't matter. What does matter is, this is the first time a battery has leaked on something of mine, and it isn't going to happen again, if possible.

Rant off.
 
Originally posted by Andy Griffith:
Almost sounds like a Lucas Electrics advertisement, doesn't it?

Like the the three-position Lucas switch--DIM, FLICKER and OFF. The other three switch settings--SMOKE, SMOLDER and IGNITE.

(For those that have worked on vintage Land Rovers and MG's, you know what I mean
icon_wink.gif
)

Anyway...

I have just about had it with modern batteries!
(I'm only talking about ones in sizes from CR2/CR123 through D "cartridge style")

I do know that everything is a trade off- cost/power/weight/storage/disposal.

A. Alkaline batteries have long shelf lives, but will corrode your item if left it it to long. Alkaline just seems to love aluminum.

B. Lithium-ion batteries (like a CR123, for instance) have even longer shelf lives, but if you use them in a high-drainage device, they become very hot, and can explode!
(I believe a certain member here had this happen and had wonderful pictures of the mess.)

C. Lead Acid batteries...they don't make these in the convenient sizes like AA, C, D and the such, and would still eat away at the device if kept in there too long. However, the idea of having this in a convenient, disposable package I am certain would send shivers down the backs of "greenies" everywhere.

D. Zinc Chloride batteries...while cheaper, don't have as much energy, corrode out faster even if not being used, but can be disposed of in the normal way- the trash can.

Out of all the types of batteries that are least likely to ruin your device by leakage alone is the lithium-ion.

What set me off is the Mrs. left on, for who knows how long my vintage AA Maglite which I have had for over 30 years. (I've got other flashlights, but this one has never failed me, and it's my "go to" piece)

I picked it up last night and it was corroded pretty darn bad inside. It made me cry.
icon_frown.gif

The bezel had been left in the "on" position and it was in a drawer that I would never have placed it in...I have a place for everything and everything a place.

I rinsed it out with vinegar, which I let set in it for a minute, then used soap and water. It lights, seals and the ends work fine now without binding...but the switch up top isn't reliable. I may have to send it back to Maglite.

I guess I'm going to switch to those new lithium AA's that Energizer puts out now.

I will back up and give the Mrs. a benefit of a doubt...it could have been me, and it doesn't matter. What does matter is, this is the first time a battery has leaked on something of mine, and it isn't going to happen again, if possible.

Rant off.
Click to expand...

When they named them " LUCAS FLAMETHROWERS" I never realized they meant real flame
icon_eek.gif
 
One of my many collection things, is high end LED flashlights.

They can be VERY expensive.

I simply bit the bullet, and now only purchase Lithium batteries, in CR123's, AA's, and AAA's.

I try only to purchase lights that use these particular batteries.

You can hunt around a bit, and catch sales on these (usually) expensive batteries. They last over ten years, and don't leak.

They also last as much as three times longer (run time) as Alkalines.
 
I had a TR 3B (Triumph) some where, somehow, I found or was given a badge for my badge bar, it said: “Lukas Electric Refrigerators” “The reason the English drink warm beer”.
Oxymoron=Lukas Starter.
 
Ah yes, Lucas king of darkness! oldRoger ya beat me to the warm beer punch! Batteries, inspect and change often.
 
There has been much discussion on the Flashlight Forum about the dangers of exploding lithium ion batteries - specifically CR123's. There have been cases of injury and fires from these batteries. In general, avoid the cheap Chinese made CR123's and stick with US produced batteries from major manufacturers. Also do not mix new and partially discharged batteries. For much more information see:

http://www.candlepowerforums.c...wthread.php?t=170080
 
Here's a question, and it's a duzy!!!

What is the best way to clean up Li-ion battery discharge, if it were to happen? I know it's some really bad stuff. I don't want a third ear growing on top of my head, but some extra hair might be nice.
icon_wink.gif
 
hey now..I heard that 9 out of 10 Rovers are still on the road........the other one made it home
icon_smile.gif


Lucus the Dark Knight

Originally posted by Andy Griffith:
Almost sounds like a Lucas Electrics advertisement, doesn't it?

Like the the three-position Lucas switch--DIM, FLICKER and OFF. The other three switch settings--SMOKE, SMOLDER and IGNITE.

(For those that have worked on vintage Land Rovers and MG's, you know what I mean
icon_wink.gif
)

.
Click to expand...
 
Originally posted by Vulcan Bob:
Ah yes, Lucas king of darkness!
Click to expand...

Lucas got a promotion? I've always heard it referred to as "Lucas, Prince of darkness." Same idea.

Yes, batteries corrode. And if anything, they're getting worse, not better. I have an annual battery replacement day. I just go to Sam's Club and buy all the likely candidates, meaning D, C, AA, and AAA. Its expensive, costing about $75 total. Then I go on a rampage, replacing every battery I can find. Every year I seem to find one that I've either missed or just went bad early. If you ever use a flashlight and have a dim bulb, replace those as soon as you can.

I've not yet had a problem with 123 batteries. Those can get expensive, so it only makes sense to buy in volume when on sale. They seem to have about a 10 year date code on them. In one application, I've had them in service for over 4 years now.

I've also not yet had a problem with the lithium AAs. I've had one die recently, but I'm pretty certain they've been in the Inova 1x (or X1) for a full year now. It didn't even die, really. It just wasn't nearly as bright as it had been.

I'm now trying 123 rechargables. I bought a laser pointer a few months back, and it came with a single 123 form battery and a charger. The charger is set up for 2, so at a recent gunshow I bought a pair. My guess is they'll power the G2 Nitrolon with the L5 head (bright LED.)
 
I can't speak to the Limey sports cars, but I sure do have a lot of experience, IN THE DARK, with British motorcycle's!
They didn't have an ad campaign calling Lucas Electric "The prince of darkness" for nothin'!
I had a BSA that in the owners manual stated, I could expect approximately one Zener diode and 42 miles per gallon.
 
Ah yes, the Zeiner diode. It's been years but IIRC the one on my Triumph was located in the headlamp. After 4-5 months of screwing around with it, I found a fellow who put me onto the problem. The way he put it was "Dr. Lucas invented darkness."
Wonderful bike though, when it was running!
 
I never learned about British cars till it was too late..was working on the side of the road on an XKE when a fellow XKE driver pulled up and asked if there was a problem..I simply said "LUCAS" and he nodded his head and drove off..I kept letting the smoke out of the wires on a Lucas fuel pump and it finally hit me..don't think they have improved since then either and that was 1972..Lucas electric unimpeded by progress.. is what I always said..all5x
 
Here's another good one...

I bet I'm the only guy that still keeps my father's old Ray-o-vac sealed beam sportsman around for emergencies. It's been doing such a good job, I just can't put it up.

Anyway, the big alkaline MN-918 size 6V screw top batteries can be hard to find, and when I do get them, they've been on the shelf a while.

Where can I order them in order to be certain they are the freshest I can get?
 
Hey rburg, it's been awile and misquoted! Anyway, wilst we are talking about it, I rekkon it's about time ol Lucas got a promotion.
 
I have had several BSA's (all Victors) that were often not in the mood to start.

However belive it or not, the only bike I ever had to push home because of a electrical problem was a Honda.

My present bike (1982 Triumph T140ES) has gone 27yrs with Lucas electrics & zero problems.

I will admit it does 'spot' the floor a bit. (Hey, it's British. It's 'sposed to leak!)

Back to the original subject, dry cells. They all seem to work just fine. Until you really need them.
 
I had a cottage industry going for a few years, due to me being the only person in my time zone that knew how to set the dual points and get ignition timing where it belonged. Especially useful things to have, on a 68' T 120! I drank A LOT of free beer off of that obscure skill set!
 
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