> -----Original Message-----
> multimeter and all but a few of them were near dead. After returning
> them to Costco, I obtained a fresh pack of AA duracell's and tested them
> before putting them into the machine.
> [...]
> As a 46 year old, this is the first time I've ever bought batteries from
> such a major manufacturer of batteries that were already dead. So
> bazaar, but now I know to test them. Sheesh.
Just a remark about batteries (catching up on list messages that are kind of
old, as I've been kind of burned out working on my computer from home all day):
I've had really poor results with leakage from the big Duracell packs from
Costco, particularly the AA cells, over a span of many years. I never used to
have big problems with batteries leaking but I can't even tell you how many
things I've found with substantial leakage and corrosion from these cells, even
when they have not reached their 'use before' date.
I don't have conclusive evidence of this, but it seems to me that the devices
most prone to experiencing leaking batteries were those with strong spring
tension - I have an analog wall clock which takes a single AA cell and keeps a
vice-like grip on the battery, and it used to be leaking every year even though
the battery was still working fine. The gaskets just don't seem to be able to
take the pressure. Having said that, I have had other devices with weaker
battery compartment springs experience leakage too, it just feels like it
happens more frequently in things with strong springs.
I'm not sure if the problem is with all modern Duracell AA cells in general, or
just the ones Costco sells, but I've since given up and switched to Energizer
which I try to buy in 20-packs at my local drugstore whenever I spot them on
sale. Not quite as good a price per cell as the Costco packs but Energizer
does at least have an explicit warranty against damage caused by leakage, and
I've had good success with them thusfar.
jim
