Another Kirkland aka Duracell leaker story!

I also had to throw away brand new batteries (made by Duracell) that were in their original packaging due to leaking.  I had used 2 out of the 12 pack.  Never again.  Sad part is I called Duracell for replacement, and because there was no damage to a "devise" they would not replace, or refund.

Also, this Christmas season, I got the Thomas train set out for the grand kids.  Luckily I had removed the batteries from the remote and placed them in a sealed zip-lock plastic bag.  Good thing I did. The batteries leaked out into the bag.  No damage to anything else.

That's weird. I have only encountered leaky batteries once or twice and it was after being left in there for over a decade. I wonder what exactly leaks.

I quit using Dura Cell or should I say Dura Leakcell and won’t let the wife buy them any longer. Strictly an Energizer Rabbit kind of guy now.

I've yet to find any brand of alkaline battery that didn't leak.  This brand new unused Energizer dated 12-2025 was the most recent.

Instead, I've been using Lithium batteries for 5 years now with no issues.  At the suggestion of GRJ, I've also started using low self-discharge NiMH rechargeables, similar to what come in the Legacy Remote.

I'm with SteveH on this one. I've had every brand of alkaline battery leak at one time or another. Duracell, Energizer and Rayovac. Funny thing is, I've also had a time where I had forgot I left batteries in a device for over 2 years and it was fine, go figure.

Has anyone else ever tried calling them out for battery leakage?  Here's a photo of the back side of a Duracell AAA package purchased from Costco.

Years ago, my father gave me a cheapo flashlight that used 4 D cell batteries.  I was using Eveready batteries in it.  One day, they leaked and damaged the flashlight.  I called the phone number on the battery, and they told me to ship the flashlight with the leaking batteries back to them.  I can still recall standing in the post office and having to decide if I was willing to pay the cost to ship the box.  I decided to go through with it and several weeks later I received a letter (this was all pre-e-mail) that started out telling me that the battery package also says to remove batteries if not used frequently.  It sounded like they were blaming me for the damage.  However, the last paragraph of the letter said that my flashlight was damaged beyond repair, and they were sending me a replacement.  A few weeks later, I received a brand-new flashlight that was much higher quality then the cheapo one I mailed to them.  Included were 8 D-cell batteries.  I still have the flashlight and it still works. 

John

I love the comment about removing the batteries.  Can you imagine what a PITA that would be???  Every time you wanted to use your flashlight, you first had to hunt down the batteries!

I have been down this road too.  The remove batteries when not using something is insane, although I now keep most devices that are not frequently used "battery-less".

John - contact COSTCO's corporate office 1 (800) 774-2678, they will make it right for you, they have for me.

Happy holidays

I'm voting with my feet.  I cleaned up the battery compartment with vinegar to neutralize the alkaline fuzz and put real batteries in it.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I love the comment about removing the batteries.  Can you imagine what a PITA that would be???  Every time you wanted to use your flashlight, you first had to hunt down the batteries!

In the dark after the power went out.......

I've been using Duracell for years because that's what Costco/ BJ's sell in large quantity. I've delt with leaks on a regular basis. Always figured it was the nature of the beast. We always try to remove batteries from toys before packing them away. I just bough some Energizers so have to wait and see.
Rechargables are in high use devices. Come to think of it, I need to see what I put in my Cab1L.

Bob

I've started using NiMh rechargeable batteries in all my Lionel/MTH remotes, less chance of damaging leaks.

I don't think he tested for leakage but a good video overall

When I see this type of thread, I can’t help but think of counterfeit products, from Asia, that have been sold by online etailers. I wonder how many of these products are the real deal, or, have all the battery makers defaulted to offshore production, resulting in lower quality product?

I've had good luck with Duracell Quantum and Panasonic Alkalines.  No leaks.  But regular Duracells.  Wow.  

@Trainman52 posted:

I have been down this road too.  The remove batteries when not using something is insane, although I now keep most devices that are not frequently used "battery-less".

John - contact COSTCO's corporate office 1 (800) 774-2678, they will make it right for you, they have for me.

Happy holidays

@gunrunnerjohn I also had leakage from Kirkland AA and AAA w/ the same DEC 2025 date that were unused and still in the packaging or battery storage box.  While recently at Costco I asked if they had seen similar leakage while unused and the staff said "yes" and to bring whatever I had left the next time that I was returning to the store and they would refund what I paid.  I said that I thought I bought them 1 to 2+ yrs ago but the great staff said that's no problem.  I returned 2 weeks later w/ approximately 80% of the unused package that included about 10 to 20 leakers.  When they looked up the purchase in the system it was more than 2 yrs and said it was still OK to refund especially since the good through date of DEC 2025 was still valid.  Gotta love Costco.  They also confirmed that they had similar leaking returns w/ the Duracell branded batteries.

I'm also making the changeover to rechargeable Eneloops/Panasonic or buying Energizer Lithiums.  Unfortunately Costco recently carries less of the Eneloop/Panasonic and now offers Duracell NiMh (no thanks) and some Energizer NiMh kits.  The saying "they don't make them like they used to" comes to mind especially since I still have 4 each of Sears Craftsman AA and C Ni-cads that I bought almost 20 yrs ago that still hold a good charge and perform OK.

@Keystone posted:

@gunrunnerjohn I also had leakage from Kirkland AA and AAA w/ the same DEC 2025 date that were unused and still in the packaging or battery storage box.  While recently at Costco I asked if they had seen similar leakage while unused and the staff said "yes" and to bring whatever I had left the next time that I was returning to the store and they would refund what I paid.  I said that I thought I bought them 1 to 2+ yrs ago but the great staff said that's no problem.  I returned 2 weeks later w/ approximately 80% of the unused package that included about 10 to 20 leakers.  When they looked up the purchase in the system it was more than 2 yrs and said it was still OK to refund especially since the good through date of DEC 2025 was still valid.  Gotta love Costco.  They also confirmed that they had similar leaking returns w/ the Duracell branded batteries.

I'm also making the changeover to rechargeable Eneloops/Panasonic or buying Energizer Lithiums.  Unfortunately Costco recently carries less of the Eneloop/Panasonic and now offers Duracell NiMh (no thanks) and some Energizer NiMh kits.  The saying "they don't make them like they used to" comes to mind especially since I still have 4 each of Sears Craftsman AA and C Ni-cads that I bought almost 20 yrs ago that still hold a good charge and perform OK.

Sadly, this is NOT just an issue with batteries having a best by date of 2025.  I've had this problem for years with their stuff.  I switched to Duracell and they are not much better.  Duracell will also pay for the replacement of items damaged by their product WITH ONE CAVEAT.  If the batteries are the OEM ones which were shipped with the device, they will NOT cover it regardless of the best by date.  They send you back to the manufacturer of the device.  I've been fairly successful at getting both COSTCO and Duracell to reimburse me for damaged items.  The last incident involved a Brother P-touch label machine which was damaged by Duracell batteries.  After going through the script outlining how to best store and use their batteries, the rep asked me how much it was and sent me a check for a replacement.  Maybe if they get enough people doing this, they will pay closer attention to quality control.

Even if you can eventually get them to pay for it, the value of my time chasing the reimbursement is simply not worth it in most cases.  When I take out my $8 flashlight that is dead because of the batteries, I'll spend way more time than it's worth to get a new flashlight from them.  Think about the folks that have batteries in something like an old CAB1 remote.  They're not going to replace that, and being the age it is, I'm sure they'd put up a stink about paying much for it.  However, replacing it will cost plenty.

Bottom line is, I want batteries that don't leak, not batteries that if I spend gobs of my time chasing a settlement, I'll have a few bucks.

Why my LionChief remote (not used for about a year) did not work today:

Batteries have expiration in 2025. Don't think they will make it to '25.

I've had enough flashlights, TV controllers, devices ruined so years ago I went through my stuff and threw out EVERY Duracell battery and replaced with Energizers,..  None of them are perfect, so I do my best to not leave batteries in for very long, especially since I had Duracell ruin things in as little as 6 months. 

Big Clive on YouTube has a few words about alkalines as well:

---PCJ

I’ve had battery leakage problems this past year also. Something is certainly going on with the manufacturing process. I buy alkaline and Duracell from Walmart, Sams Club or CVS. All have leaked.

Motivated by the above discussion, over the weekend I decided to replace all my alkaline batteries with NiMh's. In addition to the LC remote I previously mentioned, I discovered two expensive electronic instruments with leaky batteries, along with a FiOS remote and a Samsung remote. For example, here is a December 2028 Energizer out of a $350 meter:

It will be a long time to recoup the battery cost switching to the more expensive battery but, in the long term, may save on costs to replace damaged remotes and instruments.

Didn't Duracell buy out Energizer ?

@feet posted:

Didn't Duracell buy out Energizer ?

Nope, they're separate companies.

Unfortunately seems like they have all been outsourced to being made in other countries and quality control isn't a priority anymore, make them as cheaply as possible, ship them out as fast as they can so they get paid. I saw a package of Duracell AA Batteries that were on the display rack for sale at Walmart that were already leaking and corroded when I was looking for the round watch batteries for my truck remote starter.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Nope, they're separate companies.

I got it wrong. Energizer bought out Rayovac, apparently in 2019.

Over 35 years ago I came to the sad realization that the best course of action to safeguard against battery leakage in electronic devices was to remove the batteries.   This came about after some new equipment was damaged due to leaky batteries.   

Since that time I religiously try to recall to remove them whenever I'm done using the device.  This has saved me a great deal of unnecessary expense and heartache.   

Unfortunately, it seems these "leaks" are much more prevalent than in the past.  Definitely battery quality has diminished over the many years.   Brands that were once very trustworthy no longer are.   

Quality and pride in workmanship have been replaced with poor workmanship and uncaring attitudes. 

@superwarp1 posted:

I don't think he tested for leakage but a good video overall

Thanks - I hadn't seen this video before. After a few leakage problems with Duracell batteries, I have also switched to Energizer.

If you catch them on sale, they can be a good deal. No leakage problems to date. Maybe that explains why Hess has always included Energizer batteries when you buy a Hess Truck?

I just lost my Bosch laser measure to a pair of Duracell AAA batteries.  Not only corroded the battery compartment but leaked into the circuit board.

@Danr posted:

I just lost my Bosch laser measure to a pair of Duracell AAA batteries.  Not only corroded the battery compartment but leaked into the circuit board.

By coincidence, today I replaced my Fluke 414D laser measure AAA alkalines with NiMh batteries.

@Bruce Brown posted:

By coincidence, today I replaced my Fluke 414D laser measure AAA alkalines with NiMh batteries.

Good move?

Any recommendations on NiMh rechargeables and chargers?  And what about 9v batteries?

@Chris Underwood posted:

Any recommendations on NiMh rechargeables and chargers?  And what about 9v batteries?

I used the Amazon Basics and Panasonic Eneloop just based on generally good reviews, rapid availability and cost tradeoffs. I really didn't do an extensive study for the "best" batteries. The 9V is also an Amazon Basics. For the AA and AAA's I bought a Panasonic wall charger (rated at 3 hrs) and a separate one (Tenergy) for the 9V battery. Time will tell if I made the right choice. BTW, for all my engines I previously removed all the batteries, including the MTH NiMh, and replaced with BCR's

As a brand I have always been happy with Panasonic products.  The Eneloops are no exception.

I wish they would start making TV's for US sales again.  Still have my Panasonic Plasma and love it.

In terms of Alkaline - all of them leak in my experience.

John

I switched to Energizer Lithium but this was a big surprise last week with a NW2 switcher I bought last week in ebay. The 20 cent battery is at least 50 years old and didn't cause any damage.

@CA John posted:

Has anyone else ever tried calling them out for battery leakage?

I did with a battery operated desk clock - one of those cheap gold promo clocks that companies give away as ad premiums. It was a test to see if they stood by the leakage policy... unsure which brand it was, mailed it of & forgot about it. Several weeks later, they sent a check for $25 - far in excess of the value... shocking. I actually thought they might clean it up & send it back, or swap out the clock mechanism. I would be reluctant to send in any train item that I really needed back.

@Keystone posted:

The saying "they don't make them like they used to" comes to mind especially since I still have 4 each of Sears Craftsman AA and C Ni-cads that I bought almost 20 yrs ago that still hold a good charge and perform OK.

Same here with my earliest Panasonic NiMh AA cells. Easily 20+ years now. A few have failed, but most have outlived a LOT of newer batteries from many brands.

I found an old charger with Panasonic NiMH AA batteries in the back of the battery drawer.  The batteries leaked in the charger but not as bad as some alkaline I have seen.  They are dated 05/12.  I use to use these in an old camera that used AA but not since.  I was able to clean up the charger contacts with white vinegar.  I guess even rechargeables can leak.

I've seen NiCad and NiMh leak in the past.  Not nearly as bad as Alkaline batteries, but they can leak.  I have to say, I've yet to see a Lithium AA or AAA leak, but I've only had them around for a few years.

Lately I've been using Harbor Freight Thunderbolt alkaline AA & AAA batteries.  The top-of-the-line in the blue case, not the lesser Thunderbolts.  Haven't had any leak yet.