Contact Enhancer, Battery Mfr

[BatteryUser]

QUESTION 1:
I have several devices that have battery (alkaline AA or AAA) contacts
that regularly get resistive. Opening the device and spinning the
batteries usually solves it but only for a day or so.

What is available to coat the device contacts to prevent the constant
opening and battery spinning ?

These contacts are usually way down inside the device and are not all
that easy to get to.

QUESTION 2: is there a AA and AAA battery that is less likely to leak
all over and destroy my devices ? Yeah I know, take the batteries out
BUT not always remembered ! So please do not annoy me with that
recommendations.

I have brand new, never used AA and AAA batteries that leaked. These
are many years before the printed good by date. What total crap.
I have no-name batteries that never leak.
The one that leak are Duracell and Costco brand name batteries.

QUESTION 3:
Now that contacts have been destroyed by leaking batteries, what is the
best procedure to get the contacts working again?
The contacts are deep inside and I cannot take the device apart.
I cannot buy a new device because in some cases they are not available
or are now too expensive to buy.

[David E. Ross]

Post by BatteryUser
I have several devices that have battery (alkaline AA or AAA) contacts
that regularly get resistive. Opening the device and spinning the
batteries usually solves it but only for a day or so.
What is available to coat the device contacts to prevent the constant
opening and battery spinning ?
These contacts are usually way down inside the device and are not all
that easy to get to.
QUESTION 2: is there a AA and AAA battery that is less likely to leak
all over and destroy my devices ? Yeah I know, take the batteries out
BUT not always remembered ! So please do not annoy me with that
recommendations.
I have brand new, never used AA and AAA batteries that leaked. These
are many years before the printed good by date. What total crap.
I have no-name batteries that never leak.
The one that leak are Duracell and Costco brand name batteries.
Now that contacts have been destroyed by leaking batteries, what is the
best procedure to get the contacts working again?
The contacts are deep inside and I cannot take the device apart.
I cannot buy a new device because in some cases they are not available
or are now too expensive to buy.

In my home, Duracell is permanently prohibited. I have had too many
devices destroyed by leaking Duracell batteries.
--
David E. Ross
<http://www.rossde.com>

Consider:
* Most state mandate that drivers have liability insurance.
* Employers are mandated to have worker's compensation insurance.
* If you live in a flood zone, flood insurance is mandatory.
* If your home has a mortgage, fire insurance is mandatory.

Why then is mandatory health insurance so bad??

[k***@notreal.com]

On Sun, 4 Jun 2017 07:48:29 -0700, "David E. Ross"

Post by David E. Ross

Post by BatteryUser
I have several devices that have battery (alkaline AA or AAA) contacts
that regularly get resistive. Opening the device and spinning the
batteries usually solves it but only for a day or so.
What is available to coat the device contacts to prevent the constant
opening and battery spinning ?
These contacts are usually way down inside the device and are not all
that easy to get to.
QUESTION 2: is there a AA and AAA battery that is less likely to leak
all over and destroy my devices ? Yeah I know, take the batteries out
BUT not always remembered ! So please do not annoy me with that
recommendations.
I have brand new, never used AA and AAA batteries that leaked. These
are many years before the printed good by date. What total crap.
I have no-name batteries that never leak.
The one that leak are Duracell and Costco brand name batteries.
Now that contacts have been destroyed by leaking batteries, what is the
best procedure to get the contacts working again?
The contacts are deep inside and I cannot take the device apart.
I cannot buy a new device because in some cases they are not available
or are now too expensive to buy.

In my home, Duracell is permanently prohibited. I have had too many
devices destroyed by leaking Duracell batteries.

I've had them all leak. The solution is to keep batteries fresh. If
we have a power outage and flashlights get used, I change all the
batteries, whether they need it or not. Remotes get their batteries
changed at least once a year and other devices are left without
batteries in them or, sometimes, a slip of paper between the contact
and the battery. Alkalines leak when they're discharged, so don't let
that happen. BTW, Duracells are about all I use anymore. They're
somewhat cheaper than Everready's and just as good.

[Brian Gregory]

Post by David E. Ross
In my home, Duracell is permanently prohibited. I have had too many
devices destroyed by leaking Duracell batteries.

Same here. Duracell = rubbish.

There are also a little bigger than the correct size for AA and will jam
in some devices that will take any other AA battery without problems.

[PeterC]

Post by Brian Gregory

Post by David E. Ross
In my home, Duracell is permanently prohibited. I have had too many
devices destroyed by leaking Duracell batteries.

Same here. Duracell = rubbish.
There are also a little bigger than the correct size for AA and will jam
in some devices that will take any other AA battery without problems.

The LSD NiMH from Aldidl and 7dayshop are a tad big - IME they go in but can
be difficult to get out where they slide in axially.
Eneloop are OK for size, but I don't know if the other 'good' makes are.

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

Post by BatteryUser
I have several devices that have battery (alkaline AA or AAA) contacts
that regularly get resistive. Opening the device and spinning the
batteries usually solves it but only for a day or so.
What is available to coat the device contacts to prevent the constant
opening and battery spinning ?
These contacts are usually way down inside the device and are not all
that easy to get to.

I'm not aware of anything; IME, tinning with solder is often beneficial,
but of course not practical if they're inaccessible.

Automotive use sometimes uses some sort of jelly-like substance around
the battery terminals - my memory's telling me Vaseline or petroleum
jelly (are those the same thing?), but my memory needs needs a new

Post by BatteryUser
QUESTION 2: is there a AA and AAA battery that is less likely to leak
all over and destroy my devices ? Yeah I know, take the batteries out
BUT not always remembered ! So please do not annoy me with that
recommendations.
I have brand new, never used AA and AAA batteries that leaked. These
are many years before the printed good by date. What total crap.
I have no-name batteries that never leak.

I don't _think_ I've ever had a rechargeable cell leak, at least
anything corrosive - at least not since NiMHs. (Of which I now only buy
the ones that hold their charge: they tend to only be available in about
80% the capacity [2.5 rather than 2.9 Ah for AA, 3/4 rather than 1 Ah
for AAA], but I don't have to worry about whether they're charged when I
need them.)

Post by BatteryUser
The one that leak are Duracell and Costco brand name batteries.

As someone else has said, alkalines leak when discharged. (I've had zinc
ones go off even when unused, but even if I had a need for primary
cells, I don't think I'd buy zinc.)

The one time I've seen actual capacities quoted for primary cells (in a
Farnell catalogue: that's the same company as something beginning with H
in the US), Duracells _were_ the highest capacity, but only by about
10%; given the amount of advertising they do, which you usually pay for
in the price, I'd not normally buy them - if I had to buy primary cells,
I'd buy own-brand (but alkalines), since the variation isn't great.

Post by BatteryUser
Now that contacts have been destroyed by leaking batteries, what is the
best procedure to get the contacts working again?
The contacts are deep inside and I cannot take the device apart.
I cannot buy a new device because in some cases they are not available
or are now too expensive to buy.

If unavailable, i. e. obsolete, you have nothing to lose guarantee-wise
by breaking into the device.

[rickman]

Post by BatteryUser
I have several devices that have battery (alkaline AA or AAA) contacts
that regularly get resistive. Opening the device and spinning the
batteries usually solves it but only for a day or so.
What is available to coat the device contacts to prevent the constant
opening and battery spinning ?
These contacts are usually way down inside the device and are not all that
easy to get to.

I'm not aware of anything; IME, tinning with solder is often beneficial, but
of course not practical if they're inaccessible.
Automotive use sometimes uses some sort of jelly-like substance around the
battery terminals - my memory's telling me Vaseline or petroleum jelly (are

Yes, they are the same thing. I've heard of that being slathered over the
starting battery terminals, but I wouldn't use it on anything else, at least
not any electronics. On a car battery the protection is from the
unavoidable small amount of battery acid leaked in operation. Other places
in the car don't have that problem and you don't want petroleum jelly
melting into stuff where you didn't intend it.

Post by BatteryUser
QUESTION 2: is there a AA and AAA battery that is less likely to leak all
over and destroy my devices ? Yeah I know, take the batteries out BUT not
always remembered ! So please do not annoy me with that recommendations.
I have brand new, never used AA and AAA batteries that leaked. These are
many years before the printed good by date. What total crap.
I have no-name batteries that never leak.

I don't _think_ I've ever had a rechargeable cell leak, at least anything
corrosive - at least not since NiMHs. (Of which I now only buy the ones that
hold their charge: they tend to only be available in about 80% the capacity
[2.5 rather than 2.9 Ah for AA, 3/4 rather than 1 Ah for AAA], but I don't
have to worry about whether they're charged when I need them.)

Post by BatteryUser
The one that leak are Duracell and Costco brand name batteries.

As someone else has said, alkalines leak when discharged. (I've had zinc
ones go off even when unused, but even if I had a need for primary cells, I
don't think I'd buy zinc.)
The one time I've seen actual capacities quoted for primary cells (in a
Farnell catalogue: that's the same company as something beginning with H in
the US), Duracells _were_ the highest capacity, but only by about 10%; given
the amount of advertising they do, which you usually pay for in the price,
I'd not normally buy them - if I had to buy primary cells, I'd buy own-brand
(but alkalines), since the variation isn't great.

I think you will find Duracells are priced competatively if you shop around.
Here Costco has good prices on Duracells, but they have their own brand
which is even cheaper. A number of reviews have been done and they show the
Costco brand to be just as good as the Duracells and in fact, the found tiny
dimples on the Costco brand cells that are only found on a type of Duracell
(one that isn't their cheapest cells).

Reviews (tests) have shown the Sunshine brand from Dollar Tree (a store
where "Everything is a Dollar") are just as good as well and even cheaper
than the Costco brand at 4 for $1.

Costco has great prices on hearing aid batteries too. Cheaper than any
other prices I have found.

[k***@notreal.com]

Post by rickman

Post by BatteryUser
I have several devices that have battery (alkaline AA or AAA) contacts
that regularly get resistive. Opening the device and spinning the
batteries usually solves it but only for a day or so.
What is available to coat the device contacts to prevent the constant
opening and battery spinning ?
These contacts are usually way down inside the device and are not all that
easy to get to.

I'm not aware of anything; IME, tinning with solder is often beneficial, but
of course not practical if they're inaccessible.
Automotive use sometimes uses some sort of jelly-like substance around the
battery terminals - my memory's telling me Vaseline or petroleum jelly (are

Yes, they are the same thing. I've heard of that being slathered over the
starting battery terminals, but I wouldn't use it on anything else, at least
not any electronics. On a car battery the protection is from the
unavoidable small amount of battery acid leaked in operation. Other places
in the car don't have that problem and you don't want petroleum jelly
melting into stuff where you didn't intend it.

Post by BatteryUser
QUESTION 2: is there a AA and AAA battery that is less likely to leak all
over and destroy my devices ? Yeah I know, take the batteries out BUT not
always remembered ! So please do not annoy me with that recommendations.
I have brand new, never used AA and AAA batteries that leaked. These are
many years before the printed good by date. What total crap.
I have no-name batteries that never leak.

I don't _think_ I've ever had a rechargeable cell leak, at least anything
corrosive - at least not since NiMHs. (Of which I now only buy the ones that
hold their charge: they tend to only be available in about 80% the capacity
[2.5 rather than 2.9 Ah for AA, 3/4 rather than 1 Ah for AAA], but I don't
have to worry about whether they're charged when I need them.)

Post by BatteryUser
The one that leak are Duracell and Costco brand name batteries.

As someone else has said, alkalines leak when discharged. (I've had zinc
ones go off even when unused, but even if I had a need for primary cells, I
don't think I'd buy zinc.)
The one time I've seen actual capacities quoted for primary cells (in a
Farnell catalogue: that's the same company as something beginning with H in
the US), Duracells _were_ the highest capacity, but only by about 10%; given
the amount of advertising they do, which you usually pay for in the price,
I'd not normally buy them - if I had to buy primary cells, I'd buy own-brand
(but alkalines), since the variation isn't great.

I think you will find Duracells are priced competatively if you shop around.
Here Costco has good prices on Duracells, but they have their own brand
which is even cheaper. A number of reviews have been done and they show the
Costco brand to be just as good as the Duracells and in fact, the found tiny
dimples on the Costco brand cells that are only found on a type of Duracell
(one that isn't their cheapest cells).

Because they look the same, and may even be made in the same factory,
doesn't mean they are the same.

Post by rickman
Reviews (tests) have shown the Sunshine brand from Dollar Tree (a store
where "Everything is a Dollar") are just as good as well and even cheaper
than the Costco brand at 4 for $1.

The warranty is worth something, though I've only used it once.

Post by rickman
Costco has great prices on hearing aid batteries too. Cheaper than any
other prices I have found.

Not surprising. This is the sort of thing shopping clubs are good at.

[Mike Easter]

Post by BatteryUser
What is available to coat the device contacts to prevent the constant
opening and battery spinning

There is much misinformation floating about the concept of 'dielectric
greases' as 'dielectric' implies non-conducting rather than conducting.

There is a problem with conducting greases, because you would need for
the metal in the grease to match the metal in the contacts or there will
be more problem rather than less.

Somewhat interesting article here
https://www.w8ji.com/dielectric_grease_vs_conductive_grease.htm
Dielectric Grease vs Conductive Grease

[k***@notreal.com]

Post by Mike Easter

Post by BatteryUser
What is available to coat the device contacts to prevent the constant
opening and battery spinning

There is much misinformation floating about the concept of 'dielectric
greases' as 'dielectric' implies non-conducting rather than conducting.
There is a problem with conducting greases, because you would need for
the metal in the grease to match the metal in the contacts or there will
be more problem rather than less.

The idea isn't that the grease is conductive (it's not), rather than
it will aid in creating a "gas-tight" contact, reducing oxidation. The
contacts wipe through the grease but it piles up around the contacts,
keeping air and water from the contacts.

Post by Mike Easter
Somewhat interesting article here
https://www.w8ji.com/dielectric_grease_vs_conductive_grease.htm
Dielectric Grease vs Conductive Grease

[Wolf K]

Post by BatteryUser
I have several devices that have battery (alkaline AA or AAA) contacts
that regularly get resistive. Opening the device and spinning the
batteries usually solves it but only for a day or so.
What is available to coat the device contacts to prevent the constant
opening and battery spinning ?
These contacts are usually way down inside the device and are not all
that easy to get to.

Aerocar makes a contact cleaner-lubricator for use in model planes,
trains,m etc. Works real good: in older locomotives, the current draw
was halved. Try a good hobby shop.

[Rene Lamontagne]

Post by Wolf K

Post by BatteryUser
I have several devices that have battery (alkaline AA or AAA) contacts
that regularly get resistive. Opening the device and spinning the
batteries usually solves it but only for a day or so.
What is available to coat the device contacts to prevent the constant
opening and battery spinning ?
These contacts are usually way down inside the device and are not all
that easy to get to.

Aerocar makes a contact cleaner-lubricator for use in model planes,
trains,m etc. Works real good: in older locomotives, the current draw
was halved. Try a good hobby shop.

I have been using M G chemicals contact cleaner for some 35 40 years and
find it one of the best, I use it on battery terminals, all types of
rotary controls, switches, circuit board edge connectors such as
computer memory and other add on cards and it has always worked great.
BTW I use only Panasonic Alkaline battery's and have never had one leak.

Rene

[Jeff Liebermann]

On Sun, 4 Jun 2017 07:30:02 -0700, BatteryUser

Post by BatteryUser
I have several devices that have battery (alkaline AA or AAA) contacts
that regularly get resistive. Opening the device and spinning the
batteries usually solves it but only for a day or so.
What is available to coat the device contacts to prevent the constant
opening and battery spinning ?
These contacts are usually way down inside the device and are not all
that easy to get to.

<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alkaline_battery#Leaks>
<http://modernsurvivalblog.com/preps/battery-corrosion-why-they-leak-and-how-to-prevent-it/>

What has happened is that the alkaline electrolyte (potassium
hydroxide) attacks the tin or chrome plating on the spring connectors.
The connectors are made from spring steel, plated with copper, nickel
and either chrome or tin (if it needs to be soldered). Oxides of
these metals make for lousy electrical connections.

The problem is that you're not going to improve the connection between
steel (rust) and the battery terminal (stainless steel) with any kind
of "contact enhancer" or magic elixir. Even replating the spring
clips doesn't help if there is a liquid electrolyte or caustic agent
present. The trick is to keep the contacts dry so that there's no
electrolysis possible. That's unlikely with unsealed portable
devices. I've had some luck spot welding small squares of stainless
steel shim stock onto the spring terminals, but that requires total
disassembly of the device, which is not always possible or convenient.
It also hardens the spring steel, causing the spring eventually break.

My experience with various "dielectric greases" and "contact
enhancers" have been dismal. Most do an excellent job of trapping
small amounts of electrolyte in the grease so that it can continue to
do damage. The best I've been able to do is seal the alkaline battery
with thin RTV at the junction of the battery contacts and the case.
That also plugs up the overpressure valve. Fortunately, alkaline
batteries only belch gas at EOL (end of life) which is a tolerable
indication that it's time to replace the cells.

I have a few suggestions on how to minimize the damage caused by
alkaline batteries, but in the end, the only solution is to avoid
using alkaline batteries. I've been switching to LSD (low self
discharge) NiMH cells such as Eneloop, and LiIon where possible. I've
had the older type of NiMH cells leak. However, Eneloops can be made
to leak, usually by overcharging:
<http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?180661-NiMH-leakage-Does-it-happen&p=3259769&viewfull=1#post3259769>
None of my LiIon cells have leaked yet. If your device will handle
NiMH cells, do it. If your device can handle LiIon, even better.

Unfortunately, that won't help if your battery contacts have already
had the tin or chrome contact layers removed by corrosion. Replacing
the contacts might be possible. Repairing them with replating is too
much work. Spot welding or soldering some pieces of metal to the
sprint clip is ugly, but does work. Leaving the corroded contact
metal exposed, especially if the battery compartment hasn't been
thoroughly cleaned is guaranteed to recreate your intermittent
connection problem.

Post by BatteryUser
QUESTION 2: is there a AA and AAA battery that is less likely to leak
all over and destroy my devices ? Yeah I know, take the batteries out
BUT not always remembered ! So please do not annoy me with that
recommendations.

All the alkalines I've used leak. Some leak in the original
packaging.
<Loading Image...>
Other alkalines perfer to leak where they can do the most damage:
<Loading Image...>

Post by BatteryUser
I have brand new, never used AA and AAA batteries that leaked. These
are many years before the printed good by date. What total crap.
I have no-name batteries that never leak.
The one that leak are Duracell and Costco brand name batteries.

That's also been my experience. Oddly, Costco Kirkland batteries
didn't leak very much and had a much longer shelf life until after
Costco started putting highly visible expiration dates on their bubble
pack packages. My conspiracy theory is that they did something to
REDUCE the shelf life of their cells.

Post by BatteryUser
Now that contacts have been destroyed by leaking batteries, what is the
best procedure to get the contacts working again?
The contacts are deep inside and I cannot take the device apart.
I cannot buy a new device because in some cases they are not available
or are now too expensive to buy.

I tried to answer that under your first question. Basically, you
either provide a better connection by replacing, replating, or
augmenting the contacts, or you'll have continuous bad connections. If
you want a short cut, try welding nickel strips to the terminals of
your battery and bypass the spring contacts completely. It will be
rather awkward having to weld nickel strips onto your alkaline
batteries when they are replaced, but that's the price of not having
to replace the spring contacts. Switching to LSD NiMH will help
reduce the leaks, but won't fix the intermittent connection problem.

[BatteryUser]

So you are saying that brand new batteries that still have many years
left on their printed cover are at end of life ?

I thought that Durcell stopped with the warranty protection.
It leaks in an expensive gizmo and that is that.

I will try Panasonic batteries next buy.

[rickman]

So you are saying that brand new batteries that still have many years left
on their printed cover are at end of life ?
I thought that Durcell stopped with the warranty protection.
It leaks in an expensive gizmo and that is that.
I will try Panasonic batteries next buy.

https://www.duracell.com/en-us/technology/battery-care-use-and-disposal/

It is still in place. It may not be as easy to use as it was. When I made
my claim I just called them and they asked me the expiration date on the
battery. They sent me a check for $100. Now the web page says you need to
ship the batteries and product to them.

[k***@notreal.com]

On Tue, 6 Jun 2017 13:59:20 -0700, BatteryUser

Post by BatteryUser
So you are saying that brand new batteries that still have many years
left on their printed cover are at end of life ?

When you start out a post with "so you are saying...", it would be
good to include something of what was said.

Post by BatteryUser
I thought that Durcell stopped with the warranty protection.
It leaks in an expensive gizmo and that is that.
I will try Panasonic batteries next buy.

Just change them often and *never* leave a dead battery in any
appliance. If it's something that's only used occasionally, like an
emergency flashlight, replace the batteries after every use.

[Jeff Liebermann]

On Tue, 6 Jun 2017 13:59:20 -0700, BatteryUser

Post by BatteryUser
So you are saying that brand new batteries that still have many years
left on their printed cover are at end of life ?

I guess you mean this:
<http://802.11junk.com/jeffl/crud/Kirkland-AAA-leak.jpg>
The expiration data on the package is 2014. I took the photo in Oct
2016, 2.8 years after the batteries expired. I don't recall when I
bought the batteries, but based on my typical consumption rate of AA
and AAA alkalines, I would guess 2009. I would expect that such
batteries should gracefully lose some percentage of their rated
capacity after the expiration date, and not belch electrolyte all over
the package and whatever they're powering.

Note that this problem is not unique or unusual:
<http://www.paulallenengineering.com/blog/kirkland-signature-alkaline-batteries>
Read through the first few reader comments on Duracell and Kirkland
batteries.

Post by BatteryUser
I thought that Durcell stopped with the warranty protection.
It leaks in an expensive gizmo and that is that.

It's my understanding that the warranty is still in place, but that
it's more difficult to obtain compensation for damage.

Post by BatteryUser
I will try Panasonic batteries next buy.

I guess you didn't read my rant upon which you're commenting. I don't
think you're going to find any alkaline battery, from any
manufacturer, that does not leak. I suggest you switch to
rechargeable LSD NiMH, which also leak, but leak less. Or, if
possible, but devices powered by LiIon batteries, which leak and self
discharge even less than NiMH and alkaline.

[rickman]

Post by k***@notreal.com
On Tue, 6 Jun 2017 13:59:20 -0700, BatteryUser

Post by BatteryUser
So you are saying that brand new batteries that still have many years
left on their printed cover are at end of life ?

<http://802.11junk.com/jeffl/crud/Kirkland-AAA-leak.jpg>
The expiration data on the package is 2014. I took the photo in Oct
2016, 2.8 years after the batteries expired. I don't recall when I
bought the batteries, but based on my typical consumption rate of AA
and AAA alkalines, I would guess 2009. I would expect that such
batteries should gracefully lose some percentage of their rated
capacity after the expiration date, and not belch electrolyte all over
the package and whatever they're powering.

I'm surprised that you would not see the problem here. If you bought milk
with an expiration date of Tuesday, would you complain that the milk went
sour on the Friday after? Batteries contain corrosive chemicals and are
guarantied to leak if you let them sit long enough. Two years past
expiration date doesn't sound like a lot, but you can't say it is the
battery's fault.

BTW, if you check around you will find dated alkaline batteries are
typically dated for a 10 year shelf life. So you likely bought that pack in
2004 or 2005. The article you cite talks about 2024 dated batteries and the
article date is 2014.

Post by k***@notreal.com
<http://www.paulallenengineering.com/blog/kirkland-signature-alkaline-batteries>
Read through the first few reader comments on Duracell and Kirkland
batteries.

I see a lot of applesauce. "Duracell "AA" and "AAA" alkaline batteries
consistently leak at a 20 - 30% failure rate from packages no older than 4
months." So if I buy a pack of 48 cells, I should see leakage in 10 of them
in 4 months? I've never seen a Kirkland cell leak and I've bought some half
dozen packs, not counting the 9 volt batteries.

Post by k***@notreal.com

Post by BatteryUser
I thought that Durcell stopped with the warranty protection.
It leaks in an expensive gizmo and that is that.

It's my understanding that the warranty is still in place, but that
it's more difficult to obtain compensation for damage.

I think the only way to tell is to try. Did you contact Duracell about any
leaking cells?

Post by k***@notreal.com

Post by BatteryUser
I will try Panasonic batteries next buy.

I guess you didn't read my rant upon which you're commenting. I don't
think you're going to find any alkaline battery, from any
manufacturer, that does not leak. I suggest you switch to
rechargeable LSD NiMH, which also leak, but leak less. Or, if
possible, but devices powered by LiIon batteries, which leak and self
discharge even less than NiMH and alkaline.

The issue is not leakage, but premature leakage. I've had two devices
impacted by leaking alkaline batteries. One was clearly not left in a
device past it's date because it was a clock that ran until the battery
failed and the cell was dated so Duracell paid for it. I don't recall the
other so much. It was a much less expensive item and the battery was a
Rayovac. Their warranty required the return of the clock to them for
examination and possible repair.

[Jasen Betts]

Post by BatteryUser
I have several devices that have battery (alkaline AA or AAA) contacts
that regularly get resistive. Opening the device and spinning the
batteries usually solves it but only for a day or so.
What is available to coat the device contacts to prevent the constant
opening and battery spinning ?

silver, or nickel is probably your best bet, could be tricky to apply.

Post by BatteryUser
These contacts are usually way down inside the device and are not all
that easy to get to.
QUESTION 2: is there a AA and AAA battery that is less likely to leak
all over and destroy my devices ? Yeah I know, take the batteries out
BUT not always remembered ! So please do not annoy me with that
recommendations.

Energiser has $10000 product damage guarantee, won't save your device
but will replace it.

Post by BatteryUser
The one that leak are Duracell and Costco brand name batteries.

yeah, Duracell are poor quality.

Post by BatteryUser
Now that contacts have been destroyed by leaking batteries, what is the
best procedure to get the contacts working again?
The contacts are deep inside and I cannot take the device apart.
I cannot buy a new device because in some cases they are not available
or are now too expensive to buy.

Best procedure is take it apart, clean throughly and replace the contacts.
see you-tube for dissassembly instructions.