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
In my experience alkalines have about a 25% chance of leakage over their lifetime.
I don’t use carbon-zinc batteries so cannot offer data on them.
If you have an Ikea nearby buy a package of cheap NiMH. More expensive than alkaline but much safer from leaking.
No. The HD part is marketing hype. Carbon zinc are junk.
Yes, some people use the term alkaleaks, because alkalines sometimes do.
Over many decades I have had many leaking alkalines. Most often in items that were not used often. Many times found a non-working light after it had sat in a drawer or some other storage for a time. Battery operated Xmas deco lights are bad for leaving alkies in one year to the next
Maybe because [we] can’t answer the poll, … why?
==> no choice in the poll fits as a correct answer to the question.
The “least worse” might be Alkaline though.
PS, you will find a lot of inforation in previous threads, for example where you wrote this:
That seems to fit the use case you laid out in your early response above.
right
i don’t want to buy more cr123a lights for this
i know what i am asking
Well, I suggest the experiment —- buy three sub-$2 cheapie light, load with the three kinds of cheap cells you asked about, put them in your car’s glove compartment, and check back in a couple of years. I’d guess the answer to your poll will turn out to be “None of the above”
But in line with our host’s rule about avoiding divisive subjects, that’s enough from me. Bless your heart, I hope you find the answer you’re looking for.
yeah i don;t want the BEST answer, i already know that
i want the NEXT BEST answer, lalso - if anyone knows
wle
Get alkalines as they are the best out of the three battery types you initially asked about. They can still leak, but will perform much better than the other two.
To me, it is now a no-brainer that alkies are the best of the three choices given.
My first transistor radio, circa 1956, was ruined the year after I got it because the zinc cased cells that share the same chemistry as todays carbon-zinc cells leaked crap inside. I had left it at home with batteries inside over a summer 2 month absence. I was very upset.
That leak and damage was repeated with many assorted devices until I got smarter and switched to using alkalines. But even then I encountered a leak here, a leak there. Usually, the leaks and damage occurred with devices that were left sitting in a drawer or on a shelf and not used. Sometimes I could scrape and clean and salvage the item. Not always. Over the years I do believe alkalines have improved.
About 10 years ago I decided that I would use nothing but Energizer primary lithium AA and AAA cells unless I was using an Eneloop rechargable. That got an extra nudge because of the cold weather increase in performance. I have not had any of those cells leak.
We have two old wall clocks that don’t like eneloops for some reason. I use the primary energizer in them.
My anecdotal evidence would suggest strongly that primary lithium are best for disposable and that the next best would be alkalines. But they are still only next best.
I even switched the few workshop tools that run off a 9 volt battery to using the primary lithium versions after a timber moisture meter came close to being ruined by a alky 9 volt.
I should correct myself. It appears that the cells sold as Heavy-duty are actually different than the other NON-HD types. They both use a zinc case but the chemicals in the HD last longer and provide a more stable voltage according to Wiki. But Wiki also states they leak because the chenical reaction uses up the zinc, thins the zinc case.