Leak "Pressure" Testing Duracell & Energizer Alkaline Battery Seals!

Подписаться 608 тыс.

Просмотров 7 тыс.

50% 1

At one time or another we've all had to deal with alkaline batteries (Usually AA or AAA), such as the top two brands Duracell and Energizer that leaked electrolyte from their seals resulting in damage to electronic devices. In this video I'll give you a very close look at the inside of an alkaline battery, point out the internal parts/chemicals used, and test the battery seals under varying levels of pressure to see if I can get an idea as to what pressure level is required for an alkaline battery to start leaking electrolyte. This is an experiment. I never attempted this test before the making of this video. Enjoy the video and be sure to share it. Thank you!
CLICK HERE for my extensive video playlists!
/ electronicsnmore
Support the creation of new videos on my channel by watching ads placed on my videos, shopping for items shown in my videos(No additional cost to you) at the Banggood & Aliexpress links provided. You can also support my work by making a Paypal donation. All donations, big or small, are greatly appreciated since many of the videos I produce don't go viral and make all the hours of work I put into them worthwhile. Thank you!
Aliexpress:s.click.aliexp...
Amazon: amzn.to/2Lg902l
Banggood: bit.ly/2COi2P0
Banggood Flash Deals: bit.ly/2HBu9oq
(Affiliate Links)
Paypal link: paypal.me/elect...
Bobby Tectalabyss: Thanks for your generous $5 donation!
Jeff Barr: Thanks for your generous $25 donation!
xrayjim: Thanks for your generous $25 donation!
Ryan Pedersen: Thanks for your generous $20 donation!
Wanda Thomas: Thanks for your generous $50 donation!
Peter Hines: Thanks for your generous $10 donation!
Verinspec: Thanks for your generous $10 donation!
Jason Enright: Thanks for your generous $6 donation!
Diega Kendrick: Thanks for your generous $10 donation!
Technovative Products: Thanks for your generous $5 donation!
Jeff Karrow: Thanks for your generous $5 donation!
Iven Brown: Thanks for your generous $5 donation!
Thomas Herrick: Thanks for your generous $20 donation!
Richard Frisch: Thanks for your generous $10 donation!
Bruce Howard: Thanks for the generous $5 donation!
Jayantha Gabbalage: Thanks for the generous $20 donation!
Joseph Vanderbosch: Thanks for the generous $10 donation!
Theodosia Gougousi: Thanks for the generous $10 donation!
Ric Dezorzi: Thanks for the generous $5 donation!
Randy Schader: Thanks for the generous $5 donation!
Hong Lin: Thanks for your generous $20 donation!
Scott Jones: Thanks for your generous $20 donation!
Jim Obester: Thanks for your generous $10 donation!
John Cipriano: Thanks for your generous $15 donation!
Robert Kunzmann: Thanks for your generous $10 donation!
Thanks For Watching!
**If you enjoy watching my videos, then be sure to SUBSCRIBE & click the notification bell(set to "ALL"), SHARE links to my videos with others, rate "THUMBS UP", and check out my extensive video playlists for many other videos of interest to you. Doing so helps to ensure that many more videos will be uploaded to my YT channel in the future.**

Опубликовано:

16 сен 2024

Ссылка:

Скачать:

Готовим ссылку...

Добавить в:

Мой плейлист

Посмотреть позже

Комментарии : 102

@ProjectFarm 2 года назад

Very innovative test! You're right about those Duracells leaking!

@charlieboutin3341 2 года назад

I actually thought this was a PF test when I first read the title.🙂 We really appreciate all you do Todd. Thanks a lot! 👍👍

@electronicsNmore 2 года назад

That's a big compliment coming from the king of testing! Thanks for watching!

@yeliab814 2 года назад

There's no shortage of 'barking at Duracell' videos on youtube ... thanks for doing one that's actually scientific - hats off to you sir!

@electronicsNmore 2 года назад

Glad you liked the video! Be sure to share the video link with others. Thanks

@charlieboutin3341 2 года назад

I learned more about batteries in your 13 minute video than I have in my previous 60 years. Great information and testing! Thanks a lot! 👍👍

@electronicsNmore 2 года назад

Great to hear Charlie!

@superspecialty5169 2 года назад

You brought back memories of testing hull joint sealing surfaces on naval ships. We would go up to 10,000psi.

@orleydoss3171 2 года назад

Great test, have any older batteries to test that theory? 🤔

@electronicsNmore 2 года назад

If this video does well, I'll repeat the test using 2 new batteries that have been discharged and allowed to sit for at least 6 months. :-)

@extremelydave 2 года назад

Your tests are immensely interesting no matter if I use the product or not... it's kind of like watching a train wreck... you don't want it to happen, but you can't help yourself!! : ) Keep these videos coming, they're awesome!!!!!

@electronicsNmore 2 года назад

Glad you enjoy them Dave!

@3pbhenry 2 года назад

I used to regularly get leaks from Duracell batteries which caused damage to a number of my electronic devices. I've been using Energizer Max batteries for about 10 years now and have never had a cell leak. Your PSI test was very interesting and it's difficult to understand why your empirical results don't show a reason for my anecdotal experience.

@electronicsNmore 2 года назад

I'm sure I'm not done testing these. :-)

@h8GW Год назад

It's possible the clamping force on the batteries stopped any electrolyte movement or even prevented air from getting to the seals.

@korishan 2 года назад

I'm almost more surprised the that plastic Tee held up to those higher pressures than the battery ends. 😲

@electronicsNmore 2 года назад

Nylon tees are pretty strong. :-)

@korishan 2 года назад

@@electronicsNmore Sooo.... How much pressure "can" they hold up to?? 🤪

@jp040759 2 года назад

Cool test. Thanx for the effort.

@ededmonds8792 2 года назад

Chemical Reaction blows the side out for me.Thanks for the Experiment.

@RichardT2112 2 года назад

I think your theory about corrosion is key here, the seal seems to be strong enough, but not vs the corrosive nature of electrolytes.

@electronicsNmore 2 года назад

I may have to do a part 2 with two new batteries that have been discharged and allowed to sit for 6 months. If this video gets views, I'll make it, otherwise it will end up being a waste of my time.

@seanseanseanseansean 2 года назад

That was very interesting. Now I know how to make air gun battery bullets.

@franksmall1313 2 года назад

Sad. I found out the hard way about Duracell destroying my things. Love you work.

@electronicsNmore 2 года назад

Glad you enjoy it.

@eebaker699 2 года назад

Great video, thanks. I would like to see you take these tests further. Maybe you could test other types of batteries and battery ages. Keep up with the interesting videos.

@JT-lq4yd 2 года назад

My solution to batteries leaking was to switch over to rechargeable, "heavy-duty (carbon)" or non-rechargeable lithium and avoid Duracell altogether. I was thinking about pulling a vacuum on the seal and then pressure to see if there is a difference. Depending on how the seal is in place, it is better at holding pressure or a vacuum. Great test!

@electronicsNmore 2 года назад

I already had the vacuum test in mind. :-) Thanks for watching!

@tarstarkusz 2 года назад

The blue Panasonic carbon zinc cells are great for that. I've never seen one leak. I won't let a duracel even look at anything I own.

@antibrevity 2 года назад

I despise Standard Duty (zinc-carbon) and Heavy-Duty (zinc-chloride) cells as they're have a deceiving performance vs. cost ratio, but they are not leak-proof as the salty electrolyte inevitably corrodes the zinc casing. However, Heavy Duty cells do use a paste electrolyte that makes leaking less likely or at least less messy. Alkaline leaks are more destructive. If you've never experienced a zinc battery leak, it might be because they must be replaced so frequently that they don't have time to leak. Though zinc-carbon and zinc-chloride batteries have their place, their performance pales in comparison to any generic alkaline and it's *very* unfortunate that the Chinese brought heavy-duty cells back into the U.S. market. 20 years ago, you couldn't even find Heavy-Duty AA/AAA batteries in stores, but now they're everywhere :(. My generation considered them ancient and obsolete, but now consumers think that they're perfectly normal and buy huge packs of them thinking that they're saving money . To me this is like people going back to 1960's gas guzzlers to "save" money; it's a false savings. *Generic* alkalines are the best values for clocks and such, but I use rechargeable NiMH cells (Eneloops or Amazon Basics) for everything else that uses AA or AAA, including thermostats and TV remotes. Modern NiMH cells don't self-discharge for 1-3 years, but I still won't use them in wall clocks and you should *never* use them in smoke alarms. Even if you pay $5 per cell, the rechargeables are still less expensive than entire boxes of Heavy Duty's from the dollar store. Heavy Duty cells spend a tiny fraction of their existence in your devices as they are rapidly discarded into landfills. Meanwhile, I've got NiMH cells which are 14 years old and still powering devices. Oh, and the 1.5V lithium-ion AA, AA, and 9V are a reasonable idea, but the execution is generally poor and I do not recommend them. I would *never* put them into children's toys. If a "good" brand began manufacturing these to a quality standard, they might become an option.

@JT-lq4yd 2 года назад

@@tarstarkusz I like to use rechargeable batteries for high drain devices and non alkaline batteries on remotes, clocks and other items that require a few mah during use. Stopped using alkaline Duracell around 2013.

@JT-lq4yd 2 года назад

@@antibrevity I would like to see lithium ion batteries produced in all sizes from AAA to D and 9v. But at their current design is not good as the self-discharge level is too high due to the built-in buck converter. Eneloop batteries are my favorite brand and bought a ton(gave a few away) when they were sold at Costco.

@thomasives7560 2 года назад

The gas generated in a depleted alkaline cell is hydrogen, which will leak through almost any seal. As it leaks, it can cause damage (embrittlement) of materials, which is exacerbated by caustic materials entering the tiny cracks caused by leaking hydrogen (caustic embrittlement). This happens in many industrial situations, but I am not aware of any alkaline battery studies of the phenomenon. And, for what it's worth, I'd guess the seals in a 'new' battery are good for several hundred PSI - the design features a solid metal crimp and very small surface area, which indicates it is quite robust. It might be worth trying your experiment on a *leaking* battery, since the degraded cell might have a lower leak pressure. To generate higher pressures inside the cell, you could fashion a piston with an o-ring that would fit in the battery case, then push it down with a press, with just water as your working fluid (for safety). Pressure inside the battery could be easily calculated by the surface area of the piston and the pressure exerted on the piston. Great channel, love the content. Cheers!

@electronicsNmore 2 года назад

Need to test older batteries. :-)

@arthurmorgan8966 2 года назад

You would be surprised to find out that most of these battery brands are owned by handful of companies. Very much like power tools business.

@electronicsNmore 2 года назад

True. Thanks for watching Arthur!

@HillsWorkbench 2 года назад

Why to buy generic.

@bineshchauhan8713 2 года назад

Thanks from india

@trench01 2 года назад

Yay a video again. Any ideas to not make the leak? If it was high pressure it would not leak it would spray out, so it has to be a chemical erosion since many times i see the metal corroded. Also Yay are are asking for suggestions. How about how long can a battery last under water. How long can a battey last when short circuited. Maybe overcharge them to the point they do leak and see which one fails first. A warning about people should not open lituium battery and to see how long can they last when it is expanded. How much pressure can lithium handle before it had issues. On another one when a button battery does not have enough energy and need a but more I put some slight pressure on it with pliers (very light dent ) and ti give a bit more for it to work. I wonder how much pressure that can handle. LOL How long can a aa last in a aaa device if one was to use it or how much of a difference it life does it have. As for opening up batteries I use to just peal them off with pliers and a flathead screwdriver from the side which was rolled up a long time ago but I guess the casing changed but it just shows that they dont have much pressure. Also I use to charge 9v batteries with a 12v car charger for 10 second or less. yes it got warm fast. LOL I also charge the non rechargeable ones which work for a while.

@tubeDude48 2 года назад

YES! Ever since they started manufacturing from Japan, they have gotten WORSE!! I no longer use Duracell !!

@electronicsNmore 2 года назад

I prefer Energizer.

@tubeDude48 2 года назад

@@electronicsNmore - Same here.

@keithbrown2458 2 года назад

Very interesting thanks for sharing

@electronicsNmore 2 года назад

Glad you enjoyed it Keith! Please share. Thanks

@RichardKinch 2 года назад

If the seals were the weak point causing leakage, then this problem would have been solved long ago. Seals are not the problem. The problem is inherent to the nature of this type of cell, which is corrosion through the metal case, typically where the seals join to metal. So your pressure testing today does not predict leakage failure in the future. Corrosion plus time is the source. And there is no way to prevent this process.

@ArcticFlies56 2 года назад

Very cool!

@electronicsNmore 2 года назад

Glad you think so Rich! Be sure to check out my very wide range of videos and share. Thanks

@Sylvan_dB 2 года назад

Very interesting test and result (or lack of ;)). I agree about Duracell, but it seems something other than internal pressure must be causing the leak. Maybe the thin metal shell can withstand a lot more pressure than I expect, and you simply need to go higher. For that I suggest hydrostatic test (fluid rather than air) as explosion is less violent with fluid. Maybe the rate of leak is too small to blow bubbles or register on the gauge? Perhaps testing while the battery end is submerged in soapy water would be more reliable. I wonder if a vacuum might form inside, and once the seal collapses the contents can weep out? If not any of that, then I suspect chemical or time deterioration of the seal.

@electronicsNmore 2 года назад

Sounds like a good idea, use my hydraulic pump, the only problem is securing the hose to the battery tube under high pressure. I'll have to slide a steel insert inside the battery tube before clamping.

@sapelesteve 2 года назад

Very interesting testing eNm! My guess is that over time an acidic solution is produced, perhaps Hcl, that breaks down the battery wall thereby causing the leak. 🤔🤔❔❔

@electronicsNmore 2 года назад

You'd think the seals would be resistant to alkaline chemicals, but maybe not. Maybe repeat the test, but this time take 2 brand new batteries, drain them down, then allow them to sit for 6 months before testing.

@dscott1524 11 месяцев назад

In your video you point out that Hydrogen is the gas generated but you are testing with air (N2 and O2). Hydrogen has a very high diffusion coefficient in polymers compared to N or O. I'd like to see a test with Hydrogen, not so much as a pressure test more like a soak test. Say set the H2 to 10 psi and hold. The thought is the hydrogen diffuses into the seal elastomer causing embrittlement and failure. BTW, leaking cells don't seem to be under pressure, so low pressure seal failure may be the culprit. Excellent video. Cheers.

@gregorymalchuk272 2 года назад

"Duracell: guaranteed to leak for 10 years." Seriously, modern Duracells are among the worst leaking batteries in production. Even dollar store Sunbeam batteries are somewhat better.

@T2D.SteveArcs 2 года назад

I think the seal degrades, you should drill a small hole in the cell then put the pipe over it with the gauge on the other end and leave them over time monitoring the pressure inside the cell 😀😀

@HillsWorkbench 2 года назад

Interesting approach. I wonder if a chemist could weigh in about how much internal pressure is possible. I also wonder about rechargeable alkalines (now rare) which are vented somehow but never seem to leak

@electronicsNmore 2 года назад

I've had older NiMh leak, but from what I hear the newer rechargeable batteries rarely leak.

@tarstarkusz 2 года назад

You should do the test on a battery that has leaked, though it is possible that once it leaks it will not re-seal and will not hold any pressure at all due to the liquid getting underneath the gasket. Assuming it can still hold any seal at all, perhaps it will show at what psi it let go. But I think it is the gasket being damaged by the extremely corrosive environment within the battery. I wouldn't read much into the wall thickness. Aluminum soda cans are EXTREMELY thin and can hold a lot of pressure. Under normal day to day usage the pressure can reach 250kpa (36psi) and they are designed to not fail until a MUCH higher pressure. The cylindrical shape of the battery along with its steel construction makes it extremely strong. I have radios I like to keep batteries in and so I use carbon-zinc batteries (Panasonic) as they are much less prone to leakage in my experience.

@electronicsNmore 2 года назад

I agree, I think the seals are being deteriorated by the chemicals over time.

@ALAPINO 2 года назад

I've experienced almost equal failure from both brands. Usually low draw, long duration applications. Leaky batteries affect us all. My recent sadness was a $300 piece of comms hardware where the leakage was able to get under the conformal coating and eat the board's components.

@arthurmorgan8966 2 года назад

It ruined my microscopes LED control pcb. It kinda disintegrated stuff or made it brittle. I wonder what it does chemically.

@ALAPINO 2 года назад

@@arthurmorgan8966 From what I remember the leakage is mostly KOH, potassium hydroxide, which is caustic. A mild acid cleans it well if it hasn't destroyed sensitive components yet. :(

@electronicsNmore 2 года назад

I've had Energizers leak, but Duracell batteries more often. Thanks for watching!

@pyromen321 2 года назад

I used to buy duracell and energizer at equal frequency. A couple years ago ago I checked my leaking battery container and there were 2 energizers and like 40 duracell

@rafael55 Год назад

How about this same test with old batteries?

@workonitm8 2 года назад

Pressure might be a contributing issue but I believe the metal jacket or seal is being consumed by the contents. Is the jacket and/or seal made of inferior material or is it too thin ?

@Okun240 2 года назад

Another case of extreme pressure in small things is the primer on center fire ammunition - must be thousands of PSI

@electronicsNmore 2 года назад

I think 200-300 psi. The steel shell is too thin for thousands of PSI. Thanks for watching!

@torahthefarm3112 2 года назад

Our lead acid batteries heat up and need to be cooled - On production floor. I would guess the chemical reaction heats internally and seals break down

@davegeorge7094 2 года назад

Caustic liquid inside needs time to do demolition on the alloy case seals.

@electronicsNmore 2 года назад

I've seen several alkaline batteries leak in less than 1 year, and keep in mind they have a 10 year shelf life.

@DEtchells 2 года назад

I wonder if the battery chemicals attack the seals, especially as the chemistry changes when the battery is fully discharged?

@electronicsNmore 2 года назад

I think some batteries create more gas(pressure) than others. The seals are only part of the problem.

@Francois_Dupont 2 года назад

maybe a new chemical from a reaction inside actually eat the seal.

@kwd57 2 года назад

I have been having problems with the Duracells not making a connection at the ends, so I have to rough up the ends with sand paper to get them to make a connection. Its like they changed the metal type with something less conductive to save money. Due to the Duracells leaking, I am now only using the Energizer Lithiums. So far, no leaks.

@electronicsNmore 2 года назад

When that happens it's almost always because some corrosion took place.

@kwd57 2 года назад

@@electronicsNmore Thats true, but this is happening on new devices and others with no corrosion. Also other batteries work with no problem in the same devices.

@T2D.SteveArcs 2 года назад

Hey Doug I've been subbed to your channel for years love your content and have even built some of your projects, transmitters etc, about 1 year ago I started uploading my own content serious high voltage, xray equipment taredowns, transformer rewinding, large Vacuum tube projects (10kw) vttc and so on.. If you have time I would love your feedback and any advice... All the best from across the pond Steve

@electronicsNmore 2 года назад

Great to hear Steve! I'll check out your videos.

@T2D.SteveArcs 2 года назад

@@electronicsNmore thanks that's greatly appreciated 😀 let me know what you think 👍

@RandomBogey 2 года назад

Weird, I’ve never put two and two together, but 9 out of every 10 leaky batteries I come across are Duracell. But, surely they’re designed to fail mildly instead of failing spectacularly and blowing up your device that’s been in a drawer or box for 2 years

@joeporkka2047 2 года назад

One time, I actually heard a AAA battery pop. It was in my TV remote control. I was sitting there and out of nowhere I heard a muffled pop -- took me a bit to figure out what it was. I was able to get the battery out before it damaged the remote. I don't remember what brand though!

@Andrew_Sparrow 2 года назад

Your test is flawed... batteries only leak when you put them in expensive equipment ;) You have to trick them into thinking they could cause damage by leaking :p

@electronicsNmore 2 года назад

LOL. Good one. :-)

@qaz111111qaz111111 2 года назад

LOL try kirkland batteries for leaks! (spoiler alert; they don't last too long before leaking and will likely destroy your devices.)

@jeanlesueur6936 2 года назад

If you want to avoid battery leakage, then use NiMh batteries wherever possible. I have never seen any good brand NiMh leaking, even after 20 years in a drawer.

@electronicsNmore 2 года назад

I've had some NiMh leak, but they were older. Maybe the newer batteries have strong seals.

@jeanlesueur6936 2 года назад

@@electronicsNmore It can surely happens with 2nd tier brands. But never seen any leak on good NiMh brands I used, even when used for years and completely worn out or left discharged. But a bad charger (some contains only a single resistor) can certainly make it happens even on good NiMH as no battery seal would appreciate regular overloading. As far as I know, the problem with alkaline battery is the way they are working : the chemical reaction is very destructive. When exhausted there is strong internal corrosion and the remaining electrolyte is very corrosive. So I guess it is very difficult to maintain alkaline structural integrity when discharged for a long time. The seal integrity will certainly lose it's property at some point when metal supporting it is strongly corroded.

@gottmituns1938 9 месяцев назад

*"Duracell: The CorrosionTop Battery"*

@MrKornnugget 2 года назад

I only use rechargeable batteries now. Not that I like the price, but I don’t want to have the alkaline batteries break my equipment.

@electronicsNmore 2 года назад

A lot of people do the same, or buy more expensive lithiums.

@tobewiser6738 2 года назад

I didn't have this problem when batteries were made in the USA, with the made in China, it's hit and miss. Decades ago the internal wrappings are wrapped around the battery, not the single clap wrap as shown in your vd. Corp. make cheap stuff while charging us full price. The corps cheap down the Chinese manufacturing contract while charging us full price, giving US huge product for inferior product. I used to blame Made in China but it's the US corp and the high profit margin that's problem.

@electronicsNmore 2 года назад

I had it happen years ago, but it seems more frequent now.