I just opened up my NCE throttle to replace the batteries. The first set I put in back in may 2009 lasted long enough (a year) however when I opened the cover to change them, they had leaked.[:(!]
This made me go up to my kids room and start checking all of the remote controls for all his R/C cars, trucks, planes, helicopters, submarine and hovercraft. ( what can I say I love I mean he loves anything R/C) anyway I found many leaking Kirkland batteries in amongst the remotes. I was able to save all but one of the remotes and fortunately it was a very low end R/C car control it had ruined. The remotes with the duracells had not leaked. All of these things had been sitting unused for a few years.
After I had discovered the leaky Kirkland batteries in my NCE, I had put a few sets of Duracells in and they did not leak. Move ahead four years and being an idiot I once again put Kirkland batteries in my throttle and just now I found a leaky mess inside. Fotunately I was able to clean it up thoroughly.
Leak on me once shame on you, leak on me twice and I am an idiot!
So be forewarned if you use Costco’s Kirkland batteries. You get what you pay for. It is too bad because I usually find Costco products first rate.[sigh]
Sorry to hear of your situation - but hopefully us Forum folks will take heed. Just the other day I pulled the batteries from the thermostat and replaced them - after about 4 years. Thankfully, no problem. We just have to keep in mind that batteries will not last forever, and leakage can be extremely expensive.
I’m reminded of the D cells used in the postwar Lionel locos (for the horns) and how forgetting to take them out after Christmas was a major accident waiting to happen…
Oh, I have no clue if Kirklands are good/bad, as I never use them. But I do make sure only “name brands” are used.
What is the date on the batteries? Batteries do expire. All Duracell batteries last up to 10 years now.
There is the saying you get what you pay for. The generic brand is cheaper, both in price and quality. Good for somethings, but I wouldn’t trust them for something like batteries that can damage more expensive items.
Also, if electronics aren’t going to be used for awhile, it is probably best to take out the batteries, and put them in when you use it again.
Hold on a second. When you said 4 years ago you said it lasted for one year in your NCE throttle? How in the world did last that long. You must not use the wireless very much?
I’ve got some Energizer rechargable AAA batteries for my NCE throttle. But during heavy use of the wireless, they only last about 15-20 hours of use before I have to recharge them.
Do yourself a favor, and get some nice rechargbles, you’ll never have to buy new batteries again. And they don’t leak.
I have several battery operated lanterns that I only keep for power outages. Well, looked at the batteries just now and a few had started to leak. Thanks for posting as this saved me some $$$
I’ll admit I use my throttle less than most, life gets in the way. An example is, I have the kids Hockey tournement that runs from this Friday to late Sunday. Then there are the daughters swim meets and music recitals. She plays the piano, clarinet and cello, and is quite good at all three.
I usually go into the train room and get a train running while I work on the layout, so I am not pushing a lot of buttons constantly, thus the batteries tend to last a long time for me. I have not had a lot of success with rechargeables in the things I would use them in. While they work fine if you take them out of the charger and use them right away, anytime they have sat in the electronic item for a week or two they go dead very quickly. It is usually grab and run at our house.
Our portable phones in the house are naturally powered with rechargeables, however if I am going to the far reaches of the property and am waiting for an important call I will put regular alkalines in the phone as it increases the range quite dramatically. I guess it is the higher voltage the alkaline has over the rechargeables.[^o)]
We go through batteries like crazy in this house. One of those large Costco packs last about six months around here. With all the camping we do in the wilds, we use a lot in lanterns and flashlights. I think it will be the Duracells from now on, Costco sells those as well.[I][
Have any of you folks experiencing leaking Kirkland batteries talked to Costco about them? First, I’m pretty sure they would replace the batteries free of charge. I know, that doesn’t clean up the mess or fix a ruined throttle/remote.etc. but it would be some solace.
More importantly, I believe think Costco would want to know. Inferior products are not what it wants the Kirkland name to stand for.
Judging by the number of stories that come up when you Google"leaking Kirkland batteries", I am sure they must be aware of the problem. I tried to email them about it last night and couldn’t get the email to go. I will try again.
I have always had good luck with returns at Costco…I am sure they will make good on them. To my knowledge, their batteries are “Made By” Johnson Controls. Sometimes bad lots get manufactured. I remember a few years back when IC had A Lot of bad Elytic Caps. I have also switched to rechargeable for most things. Good Luck With Costco
I agree - returns at Costco are never a problem. Haven’t had any more problems with Costco batteies than say Ray-O-Vac or Duracell for that matter. Have taken both of them up on their replacement guarantees. What is good about today’s alkalines is the crud washes out with water most of the time - not as corrosive as the OLD carbon zinc batteries were. However, I am of the opinion that taking the mercury out of alkalines has led to them leaking more often than they used to.
I’ve had some of the higher quality name brand batteries leak when left in a device for a year. The Mfg. of the wireless throttle I own recommends removing the batteries if the throttle is going to be out of use for a long period of time.
The problem with ‘off the shelf’ rechareables is that they are lower voltage - No wonder you wireless phone has limited range outside. Get something like the Powerex battores…That is what I use in my throttles…
All our batteries go to the recycle centre. My family calls me the Atila the Hun of recycling in our house.[oX)]
It was weird, I was using the throttle for about an hour before it died. When I opened it up it they were leaking. I never thought batteries would work once they started to leak.[*-)]
Thanks Jim. I just looked up Powerex and I will definitely will give them a try as they also have a higher amp rating than most off the shelf ones.
Sorry for being late in responding. Day two of the kids Hockey tournament is over. The first aid guy was tending to another injury when my kid comes to the bench with a sliced open hand. He is yelling at me to throw some stitches in it to stop the bleed
