What's the un-leakiest battery? (non rechargeable ie CHEAP)

Eneloop

What’s the device? What’s the storage conditions?

I don’t know why anyone would run disposable cells on most devices nowadays.

I’d vote for Primary Lithium if it’s cold and the cells will be used and thrown. Or Eneloop if you can get the cells to recharge them.

Carbon zinc and “heavy duty” carbon zinc have terrible capacity and are unable to supply any reasonable current.

just looking for the ‘glove compartment’ use-case

rarely ever gets used, like i said - ‘shelf life’

do not want to recharge

do not want to get special lights for primary-lithium cells

I heard the heavy duty is meaningless. Just marketing phrase.

So i had to look it up:


Zinc–carbon batteries are usually marketed as “general purpose” batteries.
Zinc-chloride batteries store around 1000 to 1500 mAh are often sold as “heavy duty” or “super heavy duty”.
Alkaline batteries from 1700 mAh to 2850 mAh cost more than zinc-chloride batteries, but hold additional charge.

Wellp, I guess he can just toss ’em without recharging ’em…

Wouldn’t be cheap, though.

You do not need a “special light” to use primary lithium cells (Energizer blue and silver)

You need a special light, charger and knowledge to get lithium-ion cells, which aren’t suitable for
tossing in a glove box and forgetting, anyhow. Don’t go there.

Energizer lithium primary or Eneloop NiMH are pretty reliable for not leaking, though your mileage may differ.

Any cell you forget about will eventually leak, given time.

long-term?
CR123.

i have some 20-year-old ones
that are still close to a full charge.

obviously, they cost more initially.
just divide that cost by 20.

A Primary Lithium cell is NOT rechargable. It is used in place of a Alkaline cell. Disposable. The 3.7 volt rechargeable lithium cells we use are known as secondary lithium cells

These are primaries

I have used these for years in things that sit un-used for long periods or operate outside in cold or hot weather. My experience has been excellent. No leaks and always ready. I have an old maglite AA that has been sitting since I joined BLF in 2015 as a "control". It still lights and the cells are clean and dry when I just removed them to look at.

ok i know all that

does anyone have an answer for what i actually asked?

You can’t get cheap for what you are asking, unless you are willing to chance having the cell leak and ruin the device by using a generic AA alkaline. (wasn’t sure if you understood primary / secondary)

I keep my batteries outside flashlights kept in car.

I keep a few energizer lithium AA around

No good choice was included in your question.

I doubt you’ll meet anyone here who uses or would recommend carbon-zinc cells.
They’re cheap, weak, and short-lived bcause the chemistry dissolves the zinc can from the inside.

Wikipedia’s article on alkaline cells explains why they leak. I had to look it up.

Primary lithium AA and CR123 cells are well worth the cost, expecially if your cost comparison includes the likely cost of repairing or replacing a flashlight damaged by a leaky zarbon-zinc or alkaline cell every year or so.

None of us came here knowing all that. Remember people answering questions are thinking to inform not just the person who asked the question but anyone else out there who searches for the same question and answers, sometimes months or years later, so people may seem to be giving simple and obvious information in responses. It’s meant to help.

I’ve had pretty good luck with Rayovac alkalines, personally. Better than the other two major brands.

I missed that but arguably NiMH is still the best answer as leaks from alkaline/carbon batteries often destroys the device they are installed in.
I have NiMH in my car for over 5 years that sees –30ºC to +60ºC (–22F to 140F). Still doing great, i recharge them once a year during which time they have not even drained much unless i used the light (which i tend not to).

Sadly only two choices .. Neither of which are on the list .

- Lithium primary AAA,AA or cr123 20 + years

or

- Low self discharge NIMH and charge it once a year

There are no good cheap alternatives and having junk batteries leak will cost you the price of the light

ok so this was a poll, not a teach and preach

no one knows, no one cares

0 response votes so far

lets keep the streak going

What do you mean “0 response votes so far” I see votes; 5 in total.

One does have to vote to see the totals, or not be logged in at all I believe.

oh
i see now
i voted

alkaline seems to be the choice

but they are derided and assailed - “alkaleaks”

no one talks about “carbo-leaks”

i would have thought heavy dutys would be the unleakiest of the cheapiest