On Sat, 16 Aug 2014 18:42:28 -0400, wrote:

I usually buy Duracell batteries, assume that is my noted situation.

If I can get the batteries out, is thaere a suggestion as to how I
might protect the battery tube, before putting in new batteries?

I really do not have a viable answer for you Rob.

Perhaps spray inside the tube with a clear lacquer spray?

Contacts are not like they used to be in military lights using copper
components in the tube.

I presume various metals are subject to different degrees of
corrosion.