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11/30/2020 11:24:03 AM

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Section 14: Other Accessories
Subject: Flashlights Msg# 1105438

From:

BobSnyder

Joined 4/13/2000

To:

Allan Tarvid (Read)

Joined 10/5/2000

I don't think I am unusual in having batteries that leak but I have had too many occurrences that have made me become very cautious about items that use batteries. I have only had one occurrence where a CR 123 battery leaked but it did happen.

I have learned to leave batteries out unless it is a regularly used item and then I check them regularly. Even so, I have had leaks happen before I checked them.

Anyway, I am just pointing out a problem I have encountered. It seems like it also happens to others and there is no remedy for it.

The pencil eraser is a good idea and I have found that vinegar is somewhat effective in neutralizing the damage.

For reference, the above message is a reply to a message where:
I have had many old-styled zinc-carbon or zinc-chloride flashlight batteries leak toward the end of their service life, but most were left in the flashlights for an extended period of time. I have had a few alkaline batteries show a lot of corrosion but none that was extensive enough to damage the flashlight. I have never had a Lithium battery leak. I learned early-on to remove batteries from lights, cameras and flash attachments when they were not in use and I never store anything with the batteries installed, not even my electronic calipers for reloading. I also keep a pencil eraser handy to for polishing the ends of batteries and the battery contacts in devices to remove the slight amounts of invisible corrosion that tend to build up on contact surfaces.

My three working flashlights all use pairs of 123 batteries and I leave batteries installed in them. The batteries don't last long enough to be left in place for an extended period of time so I don't know if they are prone to leak with age. My flashlights are "old tech", one has an incandescent bulb and the others have early LEDs. It is unusual for my flashlight batteries to last more than 8 months.

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