On Fri, 26 Nov 2010 21:01:43 -0500, "(PeteCresswell)"
wrote:

Is there any such thing as an alkaline battery that does not leak
with age?

Yes.
http://gadgets.softpedia.com/news/New-Hitachi-Maxell-Alkaline-Batteries-Touted-As-Leak-Proof-789-01.html
However, I have no experience with these. I've been wrapping my
flashlight batteries in cellophane wrap for years. I have had leaks,
but little damage.

I just had my second episode of Mallory Duracells gooping up a
flashlight.

How old were the batteries?

If the answer is "no", can anybody venture a proactive
replacement interval for size "C" cells?

5 years would be my guess. The ideal self discharge rate of about 2%
for alkalines should leave you with a 90% charge after 5 years.
However, getting the battery hot, as in your vehicle (or bicycle),
will rapidly decrease the self discharge rate. When the battery gets
nearly dead (at about 25% capacity), it starts to belch hydrogen,
which is the major cause of leakage.

--
Jeff Liebermann
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