Leaking alkaline batteries and expensive equipment - a rogues gallery.

[Synthtech]

If I had to put up a “wanted dead or alive” poster for the most leak prone, nasty alkaline battery that I have ever come across it would have to have a picture of one of those copper coloured Duracell cells. They seem to be born to leak and destroy things. I just managed to get two of them out of my Keysight U1282A before the damage went too far. Never again. I have been moving everything over to Panasonic Eneloop Pros and using a Nightcore intelligent charger that charges them slowly but properly. The only alkalines that I haven't seen leak so far are the Energiser Industrials that I get from Element 14 but I have had enough of alkaline batteries, hopefully NiMh will be better (but you have to remember to set your meter’s battery type to “secondary cells” in the setup menu). Does anyone else have a brand that they find to be particularly leak prone?

[BravoV]

Energizer that was still had 4 years life before expiration date and were not even drained at all, damaged my Fluke 287 battery terminals. 

[Fungus]

More to the point, how can this be fixed?

Surely there must be a way to get rid of the green gunk.

[FrankE]

Procell, 3 of 6 batteries leaked, killing my Fluke 289.
Since then, I've never used an alkaline in my meters. 1.5V lithium only.

What's the leakage chemistry there?
And for that matter on NiMH LSDs?

[Synthtech]

I think that Blueskull is on to something - I had forgotten about lithium AA cells, expensive but worth trying for a few years to monitor them for leakage. 

[helius]

The green gunk is copper hydroxide and/or copper carbonate. They can be removed with dilute acetic acid and a brass bristle brush, but you should avoid dripping any acid into the electronics where it would require a full cleaning.

[Nusa]

The lesson, which manufacturers have not entirely learned, is to isolate internal batteries from the the electronics in the end product.

dilute acetic acid

Which is basically what Vinegar is. Most people that cook or clean regularly already have that on hand.

[bitseeker]

Yep, clean off alkaline battery residue with plain old white vinegar. Then, follow up with clean water and dry thoroughly.

The solution to leaking batteries is to avoid alkalines like the plague...because that's what they are these days. LSD NiMH work fine in most modern devices. Some old or poorly designed devices may not like the lower voltage or report that the battery is dead prematurely. YMMV

[CustomEngineerer]

Since then, I've never used an alkaline in my meters. 1.5V lithium only.

I've also been using lithium in my test equipment for the last 5 or so years with no issues.

[bicycleguy]

Used to like Duracell.  At some point a few years back they went to crap.  Looking through my recycling box I see >80% of AA Duracell leaked, ,no C Duracell leaked, no Chinese leakers of any kind!!??, one dead NiMH, no Energizer leakers.  The NoMem NiMH is the last of 12 that Ive had for 15+ years.  No leaks but high self discharge.

Lately I use only Energizer rechargables.  They don't loose charge on the shelf like regular NiMH somehow.  Recently acquired an awesome charger, Opus BT-C700 to really extend battery life.

Forgot to add 4 of those Daracrap dated 2025 leaked in my venerable HP 973A DMM causing me to order Dave's GW121.  However while waiting I tried vinegar on the HP.  Dabbed it on with a Q-tip and watched it dissolve the crud.  Did this to everything that seemed affected including the zebra connector to the LCD and the LCD.  Then rinsed the whole meter in the sink with hot water for ~10 minutes, then distilled water, then hair dryer then sat in sun for 3-4 beers hours.  Amazingly it works again, though surely needs cal.