Check the batteries in your remotes and other devices

[Gentle Ben]

It wasn't more than 2 or 3 days ago, I thought, geeesh, the batteries in my TV remote heve been in there for ages, like probably 3 yrs. It was one of those random thoughts that passes through your brain. It was still working fine, until tonight, turned the TV on, switched a few channels, then stopped working. hit the TV button to be sure I hadn't inadvertantly switched it to another device. Opened the battery cover, OMG, duracell batteries were corroded beyond belief... looked like I had the remote stored for a year without using it. out comes the 99% alchohol, and electrical contact cleaner to clean off the corrosion.
Leeson learned, just because the batteries are performing, doesn't mean they're not corroding.I guess we should go through our devices at least anually and change the batteries...

 

[enyaw]

Hi, Ben I would suggest using rechargable batteries in the future. In the long run they are cheaper and if they die you will know. At least the corrosion didn't ruin your remote. Ni-mh have a higher capacity and usually last way longer. Try that out. And as a side note, don't store your remotes with batteries in them.

 

[Gentle Ben]

problem with rechargables,for any device is, when fully charged, they are only 1.2 volts per cell, where a regular battery is 1.5 volts. 2 fully charged rechargables are 2.4 volts.6 volts short of full charge,4 cells would make you 1.2 volts shy of full charge so you're already low on voltage when you start out with fresh charged batteries.

 

[WoodPeckr]

NiMH batteries also lose their charge even with mimimal usage after only a month having to be recharged. NiMH batteries don't hold their charge as well as alkalines. Discovered this with my digital camera. You charge the NiMH batteries up, store them then go to use them a month later and they are all dead and have to be recharged even if they were not used at all. Alkaline batteries can last for a couple years by comparision in a TV remote, while a digital camera goes through alkalines like crazy.

 

[l69norm]

For you digital camera, new NiMH batteries are out that are low self discharge like Sanyo Eneloop. They keep 85% of the charge even after a year:
http://www.eneloop.ca/

I use them in my camera and they are great - grab and go. As for remotes, I use alkaline batteries too because they last just about forever and they are dirt cheap

 

[enyaw]

I agree with what wp... says, but you are comparing a rechargeable with an alkaline. That isn't a fair comparison. I guess everything has pros and cons and it depends on the device in question. Now if you got a logitech harmony with a lithium ion battery they last quite a long time.