Exploding Batteries

Nightowlz · ‎03-11-2010

Anyone have any exploding batteries? DH had a few batteries sitting on the bar in the kitchen & 1 of them exploded. We were watching TV & here a loud noise & wondered what it was. DH went to the kitchen but did not see anything. He picked up the batteries & 1 was leaking so we figured it exploded. We know it exploded because it left a streak on my counter from the battery acid it leaked when. This was a Duracell AA battery. Don't know how they are making batteries now but think they may need to go back to the drawing board. My guess is they are making them cheaper trying to save a buck.

Mz iMac · ‎07-26-2014

I would have taken a pic of the "damage" returned the batteries to the store along w/the pic.

Also, snail mail a complaint letter along w/pics to the CEO at Duracell corp office.

"Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."

dex · ‎03-09-2010

@Nightowlz Hope you have home insurance...never know when something like that could become a fire...that is really scary to think that all batteries could be dangerous.What about on a plane.

Nightowlz · ‎03-11-2010

@Mz iMac wrote:
I would have taken a pic of the "damage" returned the batteries to the store along w/the pic.
Also, snail mail a complaint letter along w/pics to the CEO at Duracell corp office.

@Mz iMac Bought the batteries at Sam's. That's a 3 hr round trip drive. We bought the large pack of AA & AAA batteries.

I would send pics if my counters were new. LOL!!! We replaced those around 2000 so we need new ones again. If we don't move when DH retires we are going to gut the kitchen & remove the rest of the wall between the kitchen & living room.

I should still email Duracell & let them know they have a problem with exploding batteries.

Nightowlz · ‎03-11-2010

@dex wrote:
@Nightowlz Hope you have home insurance...never know when something like that could become a fire...that is really scary to think that all batteries could be dangerous.What about on a plane.

@dex That would not be good. Next they will ban phones on planes.

Mz iMac · ‎07-26-2014

@Nightowlz

Don't email, snail mail your letter. Snail mail means you mean business. Complaint emails get "deleted" & doesn't get pass the secretary.

Snail mail complaint letters envelopes should be marked personal & confidential. Secretary will deliver to CEO w/o it being opened.

"Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."

BExplorer · ‎12-08-2013

YES, we had that happen once! My son said it was because they were stored with the terminals touching each other. I had no idea that could happen. 🤔

"Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people."--Eleanor Roosevelt

Nightowlz · ‎03-11-2010

@BExplorer wrote:
YES, we had that happen once! My son said it was because they were stored with the terminals touching each other. I had no idea that could happen. 🤔

@BExplorer We bought these batteries at Sam's in a large pack. Each of the AAA & AA batteries are packaged with 4 batteries per small box. We have never had an exploding battery until this package.

We use a lot of rechargeable batteries. We keep the plastic part of the package the batteries come in to store them in those so they are not rolling around in the drawer where the terminals can touch each other on those or the regular batteries.

DH had 2 AA batteries on the bar when one exploded. They were not touching each other.

hckynut · ‎03-10-2010

I have never had a home use battery explode. Years ago I did however have a 6 volt car battery explode in my face. This was before 12 volt batteries were common place in motor vehicles.

I was jumping one of my co-worker's car pool car, in the winter, that would not start. I knew exactly how to connect the terminals and make sure it was grounded. It got on my face and also ruined my winter jacket.

Fortunately we parked in a retail store parking lot, with their approval, as we worked the graveyard shift, so it did not effect customer's ability to park. Anyway, the store was open so I was able to immediately get my face into water to flush all the battery acid and residue from my face.

I looked into what could cause this to happen. Had a friend that worked for a battery manufacturing company look into this for me. He told me the cause was likely that the battery was older and had been recharged more times than it should, and it should have been replaced long before this happened.

Moral of the story for me? Ask how old and how many times a battery has been recharged before hooking up jumper cables of any kind.

As for battery's made nowadays, I think it might be because different types of materials are used in different types of them. Lithium/alkaline/Nicad and many more types. I don't know that they are made cheaper, just different materials. Anyone remember when you had to put water in your car batteries? That is how much batteries have changed over the decades?

hckynut(john)