Storing Part Used Batteries

Roman1_2

I find that small batteries such as AA and AAA still have some life in them after they are no longer strong enough for the tv remote etc. We have portable radios in virtually every room in the house so the batteries are worth keeping to reuse later in the radio. However, after a period of storage at room temperature they begin to leak and have to be thrown away. Is anyone else doing this successfully and if so how are you storing the batteries? Any ideas gratefully received. Thanks.

Avoriaz

I store batteries at room temperature with no problems.

I now buy batteries from Poundland. They are usually branded Panasonic or Sony. They work out about 10p to 15p each.

They don't last quite as long as Duracell but they are far better value.

When they will no longer power my camera etc I find they run clocks and remote controls for quite a long time.

It is possibly not as environmentally friendly to use more cheap batteries than fewer expensive ones but the cost savings are large.

JimmyTheWig

OP, do you mean leak as in the insides will leak out all over your drawer?
Or do you mean leak as in lose their energy - so when you come to use them two months down the line they aren't good enough to power anything?

The first doesn't tend to happen in my experience (more likely to happen if left in the equipment not being used) but the second definitely happens so I assumed you meant this.

PlutoinCapricorn

This is a very interesting and timely subject for me.

I had a surplus of AA batteries because my belongings were not in order and I bought more when I couldn't find any stock. I am now reformed and keep things together, but I have too many still.

I stupidly kept them in a cabinet that got a lot of sunlight, so many leaked white stuff from one end: that thinned them out a bit! They are now in a dark corner - I have not got central heating but my flat is warm.

I had a CD player that took 3 x AA, and when it stopped working I could use each one in a clock for a while. Another tip is to shake the remote control (AAA) or remove and replace the batteries: this makes it work again.

I do need some more AAAs, and was wondering what is the best option.

Roman1_2

Saver0811 wrote: »

Are you buying cheap batteries?

What type of batteries, are they alkalines ?


Do they leak within use by date ?

I have alkalines, known brands, I buy in bulk, they last over 5 years at room temperature without leakage, and minimal loss of capacity.

I have perhaps 200 stored, bought at a discount, on offer. Well known brands.

However, these are unused ones, buying in bulk, not expensive, I just bin them.

Perhaps being part used, ie a chemistry change, causes them to leak.

My advice, if you cannot use them straight away, bin them too.

The batteries are normally Duracell Extra Power or Duracell Plus, generally bought at a keen price via Amazon. They are leaking within the use by date after keeping at room temperature. Maybe I should just bin them after the first use but with so many needed for the various radios it seems a waste not to try and make use of them. Just hope that they are genuine Duracell.

Roman1_2

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

OP, do you mean leak as in the insides will leak out all over your drawer?
Or do you mean leak as in lose their energy - so when you come to use them two months down the line they aren't good enough to power anything?

The first doesn't tend to happen in my experience (more likely to happen if left in the equipment not being used) but the second definitely happens so I assumed you meant this.

No, in my case its the first option. The contents of the batteries are leaking out producing an oily liquid. Once they get to that stage they just have to be binned to avoid damaging any equipment.

Roman1_2

Saver0811 wrote: »

I doubt it.

Do the packs have a sort of semi circle whoosh at the top.

Google Duracell fakes for pics.

http://www.blue-room.org.uk/index.php?showtopic=53620

http://www.diybanter.com/uk-diy/338777-golston-fake-duracell-batteries.html

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=fake+duracell+batteries&hl=en&prmd=imvns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=tmB9UOLBM6bN0QXkgoD4DQ&sqi=2&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1763&bih=839

No, the batteries look genuine and they are lasting as long as you would expect from Duracell on the first use in a tv remote or a clock. Probably are genuine but the leaking is a problem.

T_T_2

Stick them in a polythene bag (sandwich bag) then stick them in a tuperware container and stick them in the freezer.

Avoriaz

PlutoinCapricorn wrote: »

..I do need some more AAAs, and was wondering what is the best option.

Poundland or similar.

Batteries are often seriously overpriced, especially watch batteries.

Up to £5 in a high street shop, 99p plus free postage on Ebay.

Norman_Castle

Please do not put batteries in the bin. They are full of toxic chemicals. I have a small jar to keep used batteries in, leaking or otherwise. When full they can be taken to any supermarket for recycling. The only batteries I buy are rechargeable. Much cheaper than non rechargeables. They work really well in portable radios.

Leif

What Norman Castle said. It is much cheaper, and better for the environment, to use rechargeable batteries. The best are known as Low Self Discharge, which basically means they keep their charge for years. Eneloops are arguably the best. Panasonic Infiniums (now called Evolta apparently) are good too. You can get them cheap from many online stores, including 7DayShop. Avoid cheapo rechargeables. And do not buy on ebay, as fakes are commonplace. Also do not buy high capacity rechargeable batteries, they discharge over a few months. You don't need an expensive charger either.