I'm having issues with leaking alkaline batteries in my multimeters(fluke 17B and fluke 325 ).

The batteries were from reputable brands.

I think the solution for this problem may pass by a periodic inspection of battery state.

Can you help me with the periodicity of the inspection in order to avoid this problem?

 

I have suffered the same problem on quite a few instruments over the years. The real solution would be different battery technologies, maybe Nicad or others that tend to not leak. OR an airtight plastic sealed battery box.
Replacing the batteries more frequently would be the simple way, but very easy to forget.

 

This is a huge problem. Think of everything you own that runs on alkaline batteries, flashlights, camping lights, portable radios, handheld walkie-talkies, TV and VCR remote controllers, game controllers, wireless keyboards, computer mouse, laser pointers, wall clocks, alarms, etc.

The solution is to remove the battery from every unit that is not in use. Otherwise, visually inspect the battery once annually or more frequently, e.g. every 6 months.

I just finished repairing someone's TV remote controller that stopped working because the battery leaked.

 

Can you help me with the periodicity of the inspection in order to avoid this problem?

If you use the meter periodically, the low battery indicator should be sufficient. If you're meter goes unused for long periods, it's best to remove the batteries.

But that's easier said than done. I had to replace a DVD remote damaged by leaking batteries. That reminds me. Duracell never did send the check they promised...

 

I'm having issues with leaking alkaline batteries in my multimeters(fluke 17B and fluke 325 ).

The batteries were from reputable brands.

I think the solution for this problem may pass by a periodic inspection of battery state.

Can you help me with the periodicity of the inspection in order to avoid this problem?

Alkalines be alkalines. Use another 'safer' chemistry on something critical. AA size NiCad's are just as bad for leakage long-term.
https://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/threads/cl511-battery-replacement.164695/

 

Perhaps lithium 1.5V or 9V alkaline replacements (albeit more expensive) would be better.

 

I'm having issues with leaking alkaline batteries in my multimeters(fluke 17B and fluke 325 ).

The batteries were from reputable brands.

I think the solution for this problem may pass by a periodic inspection of battery state.

Can you help me with the periodicity of the inspection in order to avoid this problem?

This seems to be a problem that has exploded over the last decade or so. I used to never have an issue with leaking batteries, even in things in which the batteries were left in place for years and years (even decades). Now, I have leaking battery issues after just a few months and sometimes leaking batteries right out of the package. We are on a trip right now and I pulled out all of my scuba diving stuff, which included several dive lights. These have not been used since 2014 and I forgot to take the batteries out. Not only were there no leaks from any of the batteries, but much to my surprise they all still work. This is with AA and also small button cells. I also replaced batteries in some motion-detector lights in my basement, which were all replaced with brand new batteries on New Years. Five of the eight had leaked.

So, other than switching to a different battery technology that isn't prone to leakage, about the only thing to do is to remove the batteries from your meter whenever you put it away. Very annoying. Very frustrating. But just another consequence of the race to the bottom of the quality pool that we seem determined to pursue.

 

Duracell are likely to leak.
I have been using store brands that need to be replaced more often.

 

Duracell are likely to leak.
I have been using store brands that need to be replaced more often.

I just swore off Energizer and bought Duracell. I'm sure they're all crap

 

Recently, I have seen leaking Duracell batteries.

 

What CAN reduce or prevent damage when batteries leak is plastic wrap and thin copper strip extensions so that the leaked juice does not contact the meter parts.

 

just replace them every 6 mo - dead or not.

 

So are lithium replacements too costly too consider for this?

 

So are lithium replacements too costly too consider for this?

No, I use eneloop NiMH batteries for long shelf life applications. Knock on wood, so far no leaks.
https://www.panasonic.com/global/energy/products/eneloop/en/lineup/eneloop.html

https://www.panasonic.com/global/en... are,causing liquid leakage during recharging.

 

So are lithium replacements too costly too consider for this?

Sometimes may be dificult to mach the voltage required by the equipment that works with alkaline batteries.
This can be a problem for some equipment.

 

No, I use eneloop NiMH batteries for long shelf life applications. Knock on wood, so far no leaks.
https://www.panasonic.com/global/energy/products/eneloop/en/lineup/eneloop.html

https://www.panasonic.com/global/energy/products/eneloop/en/faq.html#:~:text=When multiple eneloop batteries are,causing liquid leakage during recharging.

I think that you can have some issues with rechargable batteries in measuring equipment that requires Alkaline batteries because the performances of these batteries type are different.

 

I think that you can have some issues with rechargable batteries in measuring equipment that requires Alkaline batteries because the performances of these batteries type are different.

YMMV I've never had a problem with standard white eneloop batteries in Flukes or other devices.

 

YMMV I've never had a problem with standard white eneloop batteries in Flukes or other devices.
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Glad to ear that!
I think i'll give it a try.
Thanks!

 

I just swore off Energizer and bought Duracell. I'm sure they're all crap

I don't know who to buy any more. For years and years, Enercel (Radio Shack / Tandy) had the best ones and I was very satisfied with them. Never had a problem with either Duracell or Energizer until a number of years ago -- I couldn't discern a difference then (they were both very good) and still can't discern a difference (they're both crap).

 

Sometimes may be dificult to mach the voltage required by the equipment that works with alkaline batteries.

The lithium batteries I'm referring to have essentially the same voltage as their alkaline equivalents (example below).