Batteries not corroded into a flashlight, what's the secret?
 

Is there a way to make sure that you don't throw out otherwise perfectly good flashlights because there is a battery that has leaked and corroded itself in place in the tube? Can you use a certain type of battery that won't ever leak or swell? Or is the secret to just proactively change the batteries from time to time?

Usually higher quality batteries don't leak. But removal when you don't use them often is a good idea,,,nothing is fail safe. On the other hand I have had a rechargeable flashlight battery leak. I use a Streamlight and the have a heavy sleeve around the power source.

I have had that happen and had to throw a maglight away. Now I just change them on occasion. It's cheaper than buying the new light.

That sounds nice. I guess that's the difference between $100 flashlight and a $20 flashlight.
The genesis of this thread is a LED maglight that ran on 2 AA batteries in the trash.

Thanks for the reminder. Replacing my flashlight batteries.

My mini Maglites did come in a nice little plastic case that has a separate spot for the 2 AA batteries.

Which kind of sucks when you need the flashlight in a hurry, but it's better than a non-functioning flashlight, I guess.

Ugh. This happened to me. Battery quality was fine. Tried everything and couldn't extract batteries from the tube. Got a new flashlight and then coated the new batteries and the tube with marine grease. Who knows if it will help in the long run, but I'll be sure to remove batteries periodically to make sure they get a jiggle every so often.

Also keep a couple of these around. Uses those flat quarter sized CR2032 batteries and have never seen a CR2032 leak.

Small LED Flashlight

The ones I got were on a counter display at the autoparts store about 5 years ago. Looked handy.

The real secret is, don't leave batteries in the flashlight or change the batteries out. I have had Duracel, Energizer and the cheaper Rayovac batteries all leak out when they get older. I now change the batteries at about 6 months that way they're always fresh and I don't have to worry about them leaking and ruining an otherwise good flashlight or trail camera.

Don't store flashlights that use regular alkaline...

Energizer Max batteries carry a guarantee against damage caused by leaking. They are guaranteed for 2 years after the batteries are dead, and Energizer will replace/repair the device if damaged.

However, there is small print. The two year guarantee only applies to AA/AAA size batteries. C, D, and 9v. batteries are guaranteed against leakage only "during the life of the battery".

All batteries will leak, eventually. Energizer Max offers limited protection for devices using AA/AAA, but if you need larger batteries, you're SOL.

I'm no flashlight snob, but I do find myself taking on projects that involve working day and night away from any kind of shop. That means flashlights, or DC powered worklights.

For portable flashlights, I tend to use rechargeable led lights. Fenix make a number of cheap, very good flashlights but the LED Lenser flashlights are my go-to*.

Also, Duracell makes a stronger battery that won't leak. You might check those out, particularly in portable radios as well as flashlights.


* P7R - Leatherman / LED Lenser

My favourite LED flashlight only costs $10 - so I guess one could considerate it a disposable.

I find it to be amazingly functional. Lightweight, small, powerful, only takes three AAA batteries, and inexpensive to boot. 8 LED's and a plastic case, pocket clip, and magnetized - so you can hang it onto something like the side of your toolbox..

I've had plenty of situations where I held it in my mouth while working on something to free up my hands. Easy to do with this one.

https://www.amazon.com/Ozark-Trail-8-LED-Magnetic-Rotating/dp/B00UZO7TI2

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....1meB-gwnhL.jpg

I have several of these...keep one in my kitchen, garage, and glove box.

I have these scattered about. I buy the "glow top super". Easily spotted when the power goes out. Since the battery is the handle, I suppose it would be easy to spot leaks, but I've never had it happen.

Pak-Lite's Official Website (9v LED Flashlights) - Pak-Lite's Official Website

For a powerful light, I have a 4 D cell Fenix "cop light". Thanks for the reminder to check the batteries.

(edit) Thanks to this thread, I got out the multi meter, removed batteries from every flashlight here, inspected for leaks, checked voltage.

I remember reading once that a flashlight was a tubular device designed to store dead batteries. Truth in humor...

Interesting, I'd wondered about that. The coating of grease might stop the corrosion against the inside of the tube and lube the release from the tube a bit.

Still, probably better if they just don't leak. I'd wondered if alkaline vs lithium makes a difference in the leaking, but it sounds like that's not the case.

I usually use the more expensive Engergizer or Duracels, It doesn't happen often enough for me to notice if it would matter which brand was used.

It's probably just better to change the batteries from time to time, but in something like an LED flashlight, where the use is occasional and the battery life is VERY long, it feels wasteful to get rid of working batteries. I guess maybe yearly or better yet, every other year wouldn't be too bad.

Yeah, the tough part about that is that when you need a flashlight, you probably don't want to have to look for batteries for the flashlight.

I guess maybe some of the newer rechargeable flashlights might be better.

Around the house we have costco nightlights that double as flashlights, and turn on when the power fails.

And a few LED flashlights from HD, Holiday sale under $10, I won't be upset if they leak.

I threw away the maglights when LEDS got cheaper&Brighter

Try rechargeable NiMh AA batteries. Eneloops are the best and will hold ~85% of their charge over a year. Might have to go with a moderately priced (rather than cheapo) flashlight, but many flashlights have current-control regulation circuits which adjust for the 1.2V of a NiMH battery (vs. 1.5 for alkaline).

i've boiled it down to this method.

i broke my flashlights into two categories:
the ones i keep for emergencies and i tend to forget about them, until needed. in my car, hanging on my headboard, etc.

and

the ones i use all the time. headlamps, toolbox, hunting packs.

the long term storage ones, i bit the bullets and all of those are high end torches that use the CR123 batteries. you can keep one in a flashlight, in a hot car..for years. the one hanging on my headboard has the same batteries for many years. they never leak..not yet.

the rest of them i just proactively change out. usually right before a trip, or a long session of night work..etc.

Is anyone making a plug in flashlight with Lithium-rechargeable batteries? I know the lithium non-rechargeable batteries have a higher power density. But most of us wouldn't need more than an hour or two. With LED, you can get a lot of light!