DVM False Readings

Yeah I have a DMM that does a similar thing when the battery is low.  There is like, zero other indication the battery is tuckered out.  All the functions "appear to work" the beep works for a complete short, and the display looks to be full strength, but the readings are just totally wrong and sometimes erratic.

Pop in a new battery, and it works perfectly.  Weird.

I’ve installed an Energizer lithium battery (batteries) in gear that is valued  and seldom used. They don’t seem to leak when they get discharged and old.

In general, I find Energizer batteries to  leak less than other popular brands.

@cjack posted:

I’ve installed an Energizer lithium battery (batteries) in gear that is valued  and seldom used. They don’t seem to leak when they get discharged and old.

In general, I find Energizer batteries to  leak less than other popular brands.

That's a valuable observation - I'll try an Energizer Lithium. I use them in other sizes, like AA and AAA, but had a Ray-O-Vac lying around in my battery drawer, so that's what I put in for the time being.

I remember getting a call at the office from the shops saying we had extremely high voltage on a building system; like 520 vac in lieu of the desired 480 volt. Heads were going to roll as the remodel contractor was stating we (the owner) were putting over voltage on the whole building........... blah, blah, blah. Okay I say, I will be there with my Fluke. Got over there and slapped the Fluke across bus and saw 480 volts. Whew, I was pleased. The contractor is scratching his head, looking at his meter. I looked at it for awhile and then pointed to an icon in the upper corner and asked what that was. Hmmmm, he got the manual out and gee, that was a low battery voltage indicator.  Nice that they design these meters to indicate an over voltage when that occurs; in lieu of thinking you were looking at a de-energized piece of equipment. Stay safe.

Jim K

I have ditched Duracell and Costco's clone Kirkland batteries for Energizer brand.  The Duracell and Kirkland batteries are leak-o-matic batteries!  I laugh at their Leak Warranty, are they really going to replace my CAB2 if the batteries wreck it?  I doubt it...

I can only speak from my own experience with duracell batteries that i have been using for at least 8 years & i have NEVER had a leak problem ,just lucky i guess.

@Gerald Marafioti posted:

I can only speak from my own experience with duracell batteries that i have been using for at least 8 years & i have NEVER had a leak problem ,just lucky i guess.

It’s we’ll know in the electronics world, that Duracell’s are the worst for leaking.  You got lucky.  Just watch a few YouTube videos on how to clean up leaking batteries.  Most mention never leave Duracell’s or other cheap batteries in electronics for long periods of time

The only experience i had with leaking batteries was when i bought something that came with batteries i don't remember what it was i bought ,but after some time past ,whatever i bought wasn't working right ,or maybe not at all ,so when i opened it up to change batteries there was white stuff caked around the contact points ,but that was the only time i had that problem.With my cab 1,& my cab 2,i leave the duracell batteries in them in for many months without any problems ,although i don't run trains that much that may have something to do with it ,so i will continue to use them ,if it isn't broke why fix it ,i just hope my luck doesn't run out .