Photographers use batteries and all batteries can leak. This means that sooner or later, many photographers will end up cursing at leaky batteries.
Contrary to popular belief, all batteries don’t leak acid. Lead-acid batteries leak acid because, well, that’s why they have “acid” in their name. But alkaline batteries leak . . . wait for it . . . an alkaline material called potassium hydroxide.
Non-rechargeable lithium batteries aren’t supposed to leak but they can catch fire or explode if punctured or short-circuited.
Rechargeable lithium-ion (li-ion) batteries don’t usually leak but they can swell, catch fire or explode (or as someone once said, “they enthusiastically self-disassemble”).
All lithium-ion battery *packs* are supposed to have a protection circuit to minimize the chance of overheating, overcharging and over-discharging. But individual rechargeable lithium cells may or may not have a protection circuit. If you buy unprotected batteries, it’s assumed that you know what you’re doing.
Ni-Cad and NiMh batteries can leak but usually as a result of being punctured, overheated or being left fully discharged for long periods of time. NiMH batteries can ignite if punctured or cut open.
Leaky Alkaline Batteries
Alkaline batteries are more prone to leaking, compared to rechargeable batteries, due to their construction and chemistry. For your amusement, here are some videos showing the inside of an alkaline battery, a NiMH battery, a lithium battery and a lithium-ion battery. All the rechargeable batteries are somewhat similar in their construction.
If you’re lucky, an alkaline battery leak can be caught early and your electronic device cleaned with a tissue or cotton swab and a bit of vinegar to neutralize the alkali and prevent corrosion. An acid battery leak can be neutralized and cleaned with baking soda.
If you’re not lucky, a battery leak can render your device dead.
Over the years, I’ve had a few flashlights, a Vivitar flash and a Minolta flash meter ruined by alkaline battery leaks. Acid from a leaking Metz lead-acid battery destroyed some off-camera flash cables. I’ve also had a li-ion battery swell and damage an iPhone.
Battery Guarantees
Some battery makers offer a guarantee against leakage. The guarantee will usually state that the manufacturer will, at its option, repair or replace any device damaged by leakage. This implies you have to send the device to the battery manufacturer. I wonder how many people take advantage of this guarantee.
Recently I had a $40 flashlight ruined by leaking Duracell batteries. Normally I would just curse and throw out the flashlight. But this time I thought I’d try the guarantee.
I filled out a form on the Duracell web site and included a photo showing the leaking batteries stuck inside the flashlight. Duracell replied the next day and mailed me a $40 cheque in about a week. That was easy!
If you had an expensive item damaged by battery leakage, for example a $600 hotshoe flash, I doubt the fix would be easy or quick. No doubt you would have to send the damaged device to the battery manufacturer for their inspection.
Tips to avoid leakage
A few tips to minimize the chance of batteries leaking inside one of your devices:
1) Do not leave batteries inside a device that you won’t be using for a while. If you’re not going to be using your hotshoe flash, radio remotes, light meter, audio recorder, microphone or any other device for a few weeks, take out the batteries.
2) Don’t mix different types of batteries. It’s also suggested that you don’t mix different brands of batteries.
3) When you change batteries, replace the whole set at the same time. Don’t mix old and new batteries. Your device may work, thanks to the new batteries, but the weaker, older batteries are prime candidates to leak as they run down.
4) Do not keep batteries in a hot place (e.g., in your car) because heat can cause pressure to build up inside the battery and rupture.
5) Most important: do not leave weak or dead batteries inside a device. As soon as they get weak, replace them. Don’t try to squeeze some extra life from weak batteries. Weak and dead batteries are much more likely to leak.
6) Switch to rechargeable batteries which don’t leak like alkaline batteries. Avoid carbon-zinc or zinc-chloride batteries which are prone to leaking.
In case you were wondering
The best-before date printed on a package of batteries and on the batteries themselves applies only to the shelf life of unused batteries that are properly stored. It offers no guarantee as to the actual usable life of the batteries. Once you put the batteries in a device, all bets are off.
I’ve learned a few things from this article. Thanks.
I never used to have many problems with my AA batteries leaking until a few years ago. My battery of choice was Duracell. I decided to do some online research into this problem and it apparently has become a common problem with Duracell. People are blaming it on them moving their manufacturing to China. Whether that’s true or not I don’t know, but I have now changed over to Energizer Batteries.
I also use Kirland AA batteries when possible. They are a fraction of the price and have just about as much life in them as more expensive batteries. That said, I don’t trust them either when it comes to leakage. When I’m done photographing for the day, I remove them from whatever I had them in.