I have a lab scale that uses 8 alkaline AA batteries, and it quit
working a few days ago. Turned out the batteries were dead, a bit too
soon.

But what's worse is that at least one of the cells leaked badly. I had
the 8-cell battery holder in a plastic bag, so the corrosives were not
able to get anywhere vulnerable, but these batteries were installed in
July 2011, and are marked as good until March 2014.

I think I heard on the web of similar experience with Kirkland. In any
event, I've thrown all Kirkland batteries out.

Joe Gwinn

"Joseph Gwinn" wrote in message
...
I have a lab scale that uses 8 alkaline AA batteries, and it quit
working a few days ago. Turned out the batteries were dead, a bit too
soon.

But what's worse is that at least one of the cells leaked badly. I had
the 8-cell battery holder in a plastic bag, so the corrosives were not
able to get anywhere vulnerable, but these batteries were installed in
July 2011, and are marked as good until March 2014.

I think I heard on the web of similar experience with Kirkland. In any
event, I've thrown all Kirkland batteries out.

Joe Gwinn

You should return them to Costco, they will take them back. They are known
to drop suppliers if they get many returns.

In article ,
"anorton" wrote:

"Joseph Gwinn" wrote in message
...
I have a lab scale that uses 8 alkaline AA batteries, and it quit
working a few days ago. Turned out the batteries were dead, a bit too
soon.

But what's worse is that at least one of the cells leaked badly. I had
the 8-cell battery holder in a plastic bag, so the corrosives were not
able to get anywhere vulnerable, but these batteries were installed in
July 2011, and are marked as good until March 2014.

I think I heard on the web of similar experience with Kirkland. In any
event, I've thrown all Kirkland batteries out.

Joe Gwinn

You should return them to Costco, they will take them back. They are known
to drop suppliers if they get many returns.

I'm sure they will replace the bad batteries, but that is not the issue.

The equipment at risk is far more expensive than the battery cells.
Even one ruined bit of kit overwhelms the savings on the cheap batteries.

So, it's one strike and you're out --- for life. No appeals.

Joe Gwinn

On Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:40:24 -0800, Joseph Gwinn
wrote:


I'm sure they will replace the bad batteries, but that is not the issue.

The equipment at risk is far more expensive than the battery cells.
Even one ruined bit of kit overwhelms the savings on the cheap batteries.

So, it's one strike and you're out --- for life. No appeals.

Joe Gwinn

If I followed that policy I'd be running short of battery suppliers since
I've had the same thing happen with duracell, enegizer and ray-o-vac
batteries among others. Sometimes you can get a bad cell from any
manufacturer.

WayneJ

Joseph Gwinn wrote:

In article ,
"anorton" wrote:

"Joseph Gwinn" wrote in message
...
I have a lab scale that uses 8 alkaline AA batteries, and it quit
working a few days ago. Turned out the batteries were dead, a bit too
soon.

But what's worse is that at least one of the cells leaked badly. I had
the 8-cell battery holder in a plastic bag, so the corrosives were not
able to get anywhere vulnerable, but these batteries were installed in
July 2011, and are marked as good until March 2014.

I think I heard on the web of similar experience with Kirkland. In any
event, I've thrown all Kirkland batteries out.

Joe Gwinn

You should return them to Costco, they will take them back. They are known
to drop suppliers if they get many returns.

I'm sure they will replace the bad batteries, but that is not the issue.

The equipment at risk is far more expensive than the battery cells.
Even one ruined bit of kit overwhelms the savings on the cheap batteries.

So, it's one strike and you're out --- for life. No appeals.

Joe Gwinn

The reputable battery brands all have replacement guarantees. I don't
know about COSTCO/Kirkland, but they probably have the same. One of
those brands recently paid me for a GPS unit that their batteries ate.

Pete C. wrote:

The reputable battery brands all have replacement guarantees. I don't
know about COSTCO/Kirkland, but they probably have the same. One of
those brands recently paid me for a GPS unit that their batteries ate.

Not sure if they still are but the Kirkland small batteries were private
labels made by Duracell.
The auto batteries are Johnson Controls.
--
Steve W.

In article op.v7hp2jmx36zgkh@2011-dellbert,
WayneJ wrote:

On Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:40:24 -0800, Joseph Gwinn
wrote:


I'm sure they will replace the bad batteries, but that is not the issue.

The equipment at risk is far more expensive than the battery cells.
Even one ruined bit of kit overwhelms the savings on the cheap batteries.

So, it's one strike and you're out --- for life. No appeals.

Joe Gwinn

If I followed that policy I'd be running short of battery suppliers since
I've had the same thing happen with duracell, enegizer and ray-o-vac
batteries among others. Sometimes you can get a bad cell from any
manufacturer.

I've had lots of US made batteries die after some years, always after
their "best if used by" date, but six months, with two years to go on
best-by? Never had that happen.

Another poster said that Kirkland may be made by Duracell. While this
may be true, I'm sure they were severely price constrained, and may have
been forced to leave a step or component out to meet the required max
cost.

Joe Gwinn

On Jan 3, 10:25*am, Joseph Gwinn wrote:
In article op.v7hp2jmx36zgkh@2011-dellbert,





*WayneJ wrote:
On Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:40:24 -0800, Joseph Gwinn
wrote:

I'm sure they will replace the bad batteries, but that is not the issue.

The equipment at risk is far more expensive than the battery cells.
Even one ruined bit of kit overwhelms the savings on the cheap batteries.

So, it's one strike and you're out --- for life. *No appeals.

Joe Gwinn

If I followed that policy I'd be running short of battery suppliers since
I've had the same thing happen with duracell, enegizer and ray-o-vac
batteries among others. Sometimes you can get a bad cell from any
manufacturer.

I've had lots of US made batteries die after some years, always after
their "best if used by" date, but six months, with two years to go on
best-by? *Never had that happen.

Another poster said that Kirkland may be made by Duracell. *While this
may be true, I'm sure they were severely price constrained, and may have
been forced to leave a step or component out to meet the required max
cost.

Joe Gwinn- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I interviewed with Eveready back in the Union Carbide days, went
through the 9V battery plant. They also made batteries for K-Mart.
The difference was that the name-brand got 6 weeks storage at elevated
temperatures after assembly and testing, then they weeded out the dead
and weak ones on an automated tester line. The house brands didn't
pay for that, they just got run through once, right after assembly.
I'm sure there were probably other cost-cutting measures, the
management was big on that. Secret sauce for the name-brand, etc.
The difficulty is, in the race for the bottom, how far can you go
before stuff becomes crap? We are about there, I think.

I've been getting Panasonic and Fuji alkalines and have had no
leakers, yet. Price was decent, too. Check the country of origin.

Stan

"Joseph Gwinn" wrote in message
...
I have a lab scale that uses 8 alkaline AA batteries, and it quit
working a few days ago. Turned out the batteries were dead, a bit too
soon.

But what's worse is that at least one of the cells leaked badly. I had
the 8-cell battery holder in a plastic bag, so the corrosives were not
able to get anywhere vulnerable, but these batteries were installed in
July 2011, and are marked as good until March 2014.

I think I heard on the web of similar experience with Kirkland. In any
event, I've thrown all Kirkland batteries out.

Joe Gwinn

In this very small group of testers, my experience with Kirkland AA
leaking before their time coincides with yours. They will never go on a
field
trip again.

Edward Hennessey

On Mon, 02 Jan 2012 20:14:33 -0800
WayneJ wrote:

If I followed that policy I'd be running short of battery suppliers since
I've had the same thing happen with duracell, enegizer and ray-o-vac
batteries among others. Sometimes you can get a bad cell from any
manufacturer.

WayneJ

Same here. Latest was a Ray-O-Vac 2-AA 1 watt LED Flashlight. This was
around a year ago. The flashlight came with two Ray-O-Vac batteries
that were dated to be used by ~2018. After ~3 months they had leaked
and the batteries couldn't be removed. Sent it back to Ray-O-Vac in
Wisconsin with a tale of woe. They sent us a new Ray-O-Vac 2-AA 3 watt
LED Flashlight to replace it. A small hassle but they made good on
their warranty.

Have done the same with other products for both Energizer and Duracell
but not recently. I try to only buy batteries that warrant
repair/replacement of damaged item if they leak because it is an ongoing
problem (shrug).

--
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI/Zone 5b
Remove no.spam for email

On Jan 3, 12:33*pm, "Edward Hennessey"
wrote:
"Joseph Gwinn" wrote in message

...

I have a lab scale that uses 8 alkaline AA batteries, and it quit
working a few days ago. *Turned out the batteries were dead, a bit too
soon.

But what's worse is that at least one of the cells leaked badly. *I had
the 8-cell battery holder in a plastic bag, so the corrosives were not
able to get anywhere vulnerable, but these batteries were installed in
July 2011, and are marked as good until March 2014.

I think I heard on the web of similar experience with Kirkland. *In any
event, I've thrown all Kirkland batteries out.

Joe Gwinn

In this very small group of *testers, my experience with Kirkland AA
leaking before their time coincides with yours. They will never go on a
field
trip again.

Edward Hennessey

I've been using a bulk pack of Kirkland AAs and AAAs for 2 years now.
I've maybe had 2 leakers, and not bad enoughto cause damage - just
visible. Most of the leakers I've pulled out were name brands.