Author Topic: How do you protect your handheld meters from battery leakage?  (Read 5890 times)

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Offline TracelessTopic starter

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Re: How do you protect your handheld meters from battery leakage?
« Reply #25 on: September 18, 2022, 05:30:49 pm »
I'm using low self-discharge Ni-MH rechargeable, brand TRONIC energy eco (bought from LIDL).
They really are low at self-discharging, I recharge them (for the DMM) once a year or so.

Their color scheme looks like this:  https://budgetlightforum.com/node/55247
They come in format AA, AAA, C and 6HR61 9V(7.2V), all the same brand, name and color scheme.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the Tronic batteries. I just found a NiMH long term test (link below). Apparently the IKEA Ladda perform nicely as well.


 

Offline robert.rozee

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Re: How do you protect your handheld meters from battery leakage?
« Reply #26 on: September 18, 2022, 05:38:18 pm »
here is another interesting one:
https://www.bunnings.co.nz/solar-magic-3-2v-600mah-14500-lithium-batteries-2-pack_p4351891

pack of two 3.2V, 600mAh, 14500 size Lithium LiFePO4 rechargeable batteries. being sold for use in solar garden lights. looks like LiFePO4 may have a self-discharge of something like 2%/month. just fit in every 2nd space, with dummy cells (wire link) in between.


cheers,
rob   :-)

 
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Offline Gyro

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Re: How do you protect your handheld meters from battery leakage?
« Reply #27 on: September 18, 2022, 05:52:54 pm »
Carbon-zinc batteries leak just as bad as alkalines. It's just that currently alkalines are more prevalent now so you see them leaking more often.

i'm not entirely convinced of this.

from reading the wikipedia article (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alkaline_battery), an alkaline cell has a "pressure expansion seal" at the base (under the negative cap). that such an expansion seal is needed points to pressure build-up inside not being uncommon.

a zinc-carbon cell, again from a wikipedia article (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc%E2%80%93carbon_battery) is mechanically far simpler, lacking an expansion seal. it appears that any pressure is alleviated via the carbon rod (that exits the cell-proper under the positive cap) being porous. however, the zinc casing of the cell is consumed over time, and that may release contents.


so both have issues, but different issues. certainly, in the last 10 years i have noticed alkaline cells having a disproportionate proclivity to damage/wreck equipment; i don't recall ever having something damaged by a leaking zinc-carbon cell.

Back in the day, leaking 'leakproof' Zinc Carbon torch batteries (AA, C, and D) were a real problem, and that was with shorter shelf and operating life than we typically see today with the higher capacity Alkalines.
Best Regards, Chris
 

Offline David Hess

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Re: How do you protect your handheld meters from battery leakage?
« Reply #28 on: September 18, 2022, 06:20:49 pm »
My handheld instruments are all old so use 9 volt batteries which have two layers of protection.  The only 9 volt batteries that I have had leak and damage something are carbon-zinc batteries, and there is no reason to use them instead of alkaline 9 volt batteries.

For my other things which use AAA and AA cells, I use low leakage NiMH cells.  I have gone through one complete set over more than 5 years for everything and none of them leaked.

Another alternative are 1.5 volt Li–FeS2 (lithium iron disulfide) AA and AAA cells which are now available and suppose to never leak.  I doubt their 1.8 volt open circuit voltage will matter to anything.
 

Online BillyO

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Re: How do you protect your handheld meters from battery leakage?
« Reply #29 on: September 19, 2022, 01:08:51 pm »
But I believe lithium AA batteries have an initial voltage of 1.7 V. I'm not sure if all equipment can deal with this.
They are usually less than .1V more than alkaline which when fresh can be as high as 1.65V.  I wouldn't worry about it.
Bill  (Currently a Siglent fanboy)
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Online bdunham7

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Re: How do you protect your handheld meters from battery leakage?
« Reply #30 on: September 19, 2022, 01:24:23 pm »
Apparently (as reported elsewhere on this forum) the Brymen 235 will not function properly (shows an error) if you use primary lithium cells.  So there are at least a few things where this is a problem.  I haven't run into any myself.
A 3.5 digit 4.5 digit 5 digit 5.5 digit 6.5 digit 7.5 digit DMM is good enough for most people.
 
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Offline alm

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Re: How do you protect your handheld meters from battery leakage?
« Reply #31 on: September 19, 2022, 02:52:29 pm »
Problems with the high initial voltage of primary lithium batteries have also been reported for the 121GW as I wrote before:
The initial voltage is higher than 1.5V and can cause problems in some devices, like the 121GW ;).

So yes, the higher voltage matters with some meters.
 
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Online BillyO

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Re: How do you protect your handheld meters from battery leakage?
« Reply #32 on: September 19, 2022, 03:07:13 pm »
Hmm, perhaps those that do have an issue are optimized for better use with NiMH?  I wonder if the Brymen 726 has the same issue?  I have the 726 but I don't have enough of the Lithium batteries to try.

In other equipment I have I have never had an issue.
Bill  (Currently a Siglent fanboy)
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Offline unknownparticle

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Re: How do you protect your handheld meters from battery leakage?
« Reply #33 on: September 19, 2022, 05:52:00 pm »
I can say one thing for sure, NEVER use Duracell alkalines,  they WILL leak, positively the worst battery on the market.
My preference is Panasonic or Varta, so far, they have never leaked.

Intuition would suggest that cheapo batteries that are supplied with devices should be the worst, and although I never trust them I've known them go for 6 and more years, still have life and not leak! In fact, I've just had to borrow a D cell from a big 4 cell torch I bought in 2016 from Aldi. needed it for an Avo 8. Not only have they not leaked but despite having quite a few hours on them, they still have a healthy terminal voltage and short circuit current!  The brand is Activ Energy, made in China, which I've seen in a number of Aldi products. So, surprise there!
DC coupling is the devils work!!
 

Online wraper

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Re: How do you protect your handheld meters from battery leakage?
« Reply #34 on: September 19, 2022, 06:07:42 pm »
Intuition would suggest that cheapo batteries that are supplied with devices should be the worst, and although I never trust them I've known them go for 6 and more years, still have life and not leak! In fact, I've just had to borrow a D cell from a big 4 cell torch I bought in 2016 from Aldi.
I had AAA Pairdeer alkalines in my Fluke Voltalert it originally came with, IIRC got it around 2008-2009 as a gift with oscilloscope purchase. Used it only occasionally and forgot what batteries it had. When I looked in a few months ago, found out they expired a decade ago but still worked just fine. Unlike Duracells which leak in unopened package.
 

Offline David Hess

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Re: How do you protect your handheld meters from battery leakage?
« Reply #35 on: September 19, 2022, 07:39:49 pm »
I can say one thing for sure, NEVER use Duracell alkalines,  they WILL leak, positively the worst battery on the market.
My preference is Panasonic or Varta, so far, they have never leaked.

I have had just as many Energizer alkaline cells leak.  I am currently using ACDelco alkaline cells for things which do not rate low discharge NiMH cells, and I make no special claims about them.
 

Offline Fungus

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Re: How do you protect your handheld meters from battery leakage?
« Reply #36 on: September 19, 2022, 07:58:55 pm »
I can say one thing for sure, NEVER use Duracell alkalines,  they WILL leak, positively the worst battery on the market.
I have had just as many Energizer alkaline cells leak.

Yep.

I don't know why we have to have thread after thread of finger pointing which Alkalines are the worst. They're ALL bad, and there's alternatives.

Just stop buying alkalines, problem solved.

My preference is Panasonic or Varta, so far, they have never leaked.

So far...
 
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Offline Jeff eelcr

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Re: How do you protect your handheld meters from battery leakage?
« Reply #37 on: September 21, 2022, 11:21:45 am »
Also apply some type of dilectric grease to terminals and battery.
Jeff
 

Offline David Hess

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Re: How do you protect your handheld meters from battery leakage?
« Reply #38 on: September 21, 2022, 05:38:53 pm »
Just pulled apart a 42 year old NOS (new old stock) rechargeable battery pack for a TI-55 and as expected, found that the NiCd AA cells leaked, but not too badly.  I could not find any low discharge NiMH cells with tabs, so ordered some normal ones.
« Last Edit: September 21, 2022, 08:22:23 pm by David Hess »
 
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Offline Gary350z

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Re: How do you protect your handheld meters from battery leakage?
« Reply #39 on: September 21, 2022, 06:18:50 pm »
I just renewed my supply of Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA batteries.

The current price is $3 USD per cell. :o
After recovering from the shock, I Googled why they cost so much now. Sources say electric vehicle production is driving up the cost of lithium.
Prices for lithium have increased 438% this year, according to Fortune media.

I may have to see if the low voltage (1.2V) of my Eneloop batteries will work in my application.
 

Offline alm

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Re: How do you protect your handheld meters from battery leakage?
« Reply #40 on: September 21, 2022, 06:42:55 pm »
In my experience things not working on NiMH batteries has become the exception. The only place I use alkaline batteries these days is in hostile environments (like bike lights that get exposed to the elements) or in very low drain devices where the hassle of recharging is not worth it for me (remotes and clocks). All cheap things that I wouldn't mind replacing if they leaked. I'm sure NiMH batteries would work fine, but either they would wear out faster or I would have to take the clock from the wall more often.
 
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Online BillyO

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Re: How do you protect your handheld meters from battery leakage?
« Reply #41 on: September 21, 2022, 08:29:11 pm »
I just did a little testing WRT to my Brymen 726.

It shows a low battery indication once the voltage drops below 3.7V  That's about 1.23V per cell which does not bode well for using NiMH batteries.

I raised the voltage up to 5.1V and it did not produce any indication that that was an issue.  However, the only two Energizer "AAA" Litiums I have measure at 1.85V each!  That would be 5.55V for the pack.  I'm a little reluctant to test that high.

The current alkalines have been in it for a year and are now at 1.48V - so I replaced them and will use thesm for non-critical use.

Some questions come to mind.

1a) Has anyone tried the BM726 with NiMH cells?  b) How long do they work before a recharge is required?

2) Has anyone tried Lithium batteries in this unit?
Bill  (Currently a Siglent fanboy)
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Online wraper

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Re: How do you protect your handheld meters from battery leakage?
« Reply #42 on: September 21, 2022, 08:46:15 pm »
I just renewed my supply of Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA batteries.

The current price is $3 USD per cell. :o
After recovering from the shock, I Googled why they cost so much now. Sources say electric vehicle production is driving up the cost of lithium.
Prices for lithium have increased 438% this year, according to Fortune media.

I may have to see if the low voltage (1.2V) of my Eneloop batteries will work in my application.
It's beyond me why anyone would pay that for a single use cell. Eneloop in disguise like IKEA LADDA or Amazon Basics cost about $1.5-$2 per cell, and often even cheaper when there is a deal.
 
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Offline David Hess

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Re: How do you protect your handheld meters from battery leakage?
« Reply #43 on: September 22, 2022, 01:31:49 am »
I just renewed my supply of Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA batteries.

The current price is $3 USD per cell. :o
After recovering from the shock, I Googled why they cost so much now. Sources say electric vehicle production is driving up the cost of lithium.
Prices for lithium have increased 438% this year, according to Fortune media.

I may have to see if the low voltage (1.2V) of my Eneloop batteries will work in my application.

It's beyond me why anyone would pay that for a single use cell. Eneloop in disguise like IKEA LADDA or Amazon Basics cost about $1.5-$2 per cell, and often even cheaper when there is a deal.

I have considered them several times over the years, but they always had too poor of a price per capacity.  They do have certain applications where they have no substitute like operating at extreme cold.
 

Offline robert.rozee

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Re: How do you protect your handheld meters from battery leakage?
« Reply #44 on: September 22, 2022, 04:47:02 am »
has anyone tried a single 14500 size Lithium LiFePO4 rechargeable (nominal 3.2v) in place of 2xAA cells in a handheld meter? it would slot into one of the AA locations, with a shorting bridge in the other - this would only work if the meter did not require a 1.5v tap.


cheers,
rob   :-)
 

Offline Fungus

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Re: How do you protect your handheld meters from battery leakage?
« Reply #45 on: September 22, 2022, 06:38:11 pm »
has anyone tried a single 14500 size Lithium LiFePO4 rechargeable (nominal 3.2v) in place of 2xAA cells in a handheld meter? it would slot into one of the AA locations, with a shorting bridge in the other - this would only work if the meter did not require a 1.5v tap.

There's no reason it won't work but the capacity will be a third of other solutions.

Maybe good for remote controls or other very low power devices. Self discharge is about the same as alkalines.
 
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