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Old 30th Oct 2013, 9:50 am   #11
G6Tanuki
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Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Wiltshire, UK.
Posts: 13,953
Default Re: Remove those batteries when out of use!

I ad a two-AA-cell Maglite ruined by leaky Alkaline batteries (brand forgotten); problem was when the batteries leaked they corroed themselves so firmly into the body of the Maglite that I couldn't actually get them out [well, I did in the end but it involved a lathe and the Maglite was mortally wounded in the process].

I _think_ I understand a bit about the failure-mode: this Maglite was one which lived in the car, and was regularly exposed to extremes of temperature, even though its actual _use_ as a torch was very infrequent. Summer in-vehicle temperatures of 50+, and a period in the subsequent winter where ambient temperature was -10 or below for over a week. My feeling is that it was the hot and cold that accelerated the battery-bursting. Now, some people suggest keeping unused batteries in the fridge to prevent self-discharge: whether keeping batteries in the freezer would be a good idea I have my doubts.
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