Again, remember to check/replace often or just remove the batteries if you're not using the device!
I had a similar event occur recently where my favourite and most trusted set of coolant proof calipers did not have such a favourable outcome. For over a decade and after every use I would meticulously place a small soft cloth over the display when placing the calipers back in their padded timber case, and never had any concerns about battery leakage with these calipers.
A couple of months ago I went to use them and they were completely dead so I opened the battery cover to find the battery had corroded and badly damaged the pcb. After an extensive autopsy I concluded that the soft cloth I had placed over the display had inadvertently depressed the mm/ inch button permanently which inturn disabled the auto power off feature.
I spent two entire days trying to repair them without success as the displayed measurements had become inconsistent after the mishap and no longer in agreement with my other sets of calipers. These particular calipers were more than just another tool in my workshop, I realised afterwards that I had in fact lost a dear and trusted work colleague.
