Can button batteries leak?

[A.L.]

Kind of stupid question but.. well, I don't know so I have to ask.

Can button batteries leak (such as AG13)?

Im wondering because if I'll put a small button battery operated flashlight to my survival tin-alike, should I keep the batteries apart?

Thanks

 

[OrenG]

All batteries can leak, and yes button cells included.

 

[Cougar Allen]

I'll just add that I wouldn't use a button cell flashlight for a survival kit. Coin cells are lithium and have longer shelf life and far more energy density and can tolerate a wider temperature range -- and they're designed not to leak (because you really wouldn't want a lithium cell leaking).

Button cells are 1½ volts and shaped like a button, thick and small in diameter. Coin cells are 3 volts and shaped like a coin, thin and large in diameter.

 

[ohen cepel]

I've had both the button and coin batteries leak. Any of them will given the wrong situation.

 

[65535]

Pack them in a small plastic baggy with some tissue paper or paper towels.

 

[A.L.]

Thanks guys for the answers, I'll better pack them separately then.

 

[Mcmomo]

Kind of stupid question but.. well, I don't know so I have to ask.

Can button batteries leak (such as AG13)?

Im wondering because if I'll put a small button battery operated flashlight to my survival tin-alike, should I keep the batteries apart?

Thanks

I know this is a very old post, but just happened to come across it. As a safety note, do not store a loose battery or batteries in a metal can or tin or near any other metal or metallic materials. It is a fire hazard. Also do not store loose batteries together. Do not store more than one single battery in a ziplock bag. Each single battery should have its own secure ziplock bag. Even with the single battery secure in the ziplock bag, I would avoid the metal tin as a storage place. Thanks. Just looking out for you. I have seen a bunch of things online about battery fires. This is a link to a 9 volt battery fire story, but hopefully it will raise awareness about all battery dangers.
http://themotherlist.com/fire-safety-video-must-watch/

 

[Mcmomo]

Pack them in a small plastic baggy with some tissue paper or paper towels.

Just as a fire safety note, do not store loose batteries together. Do not store more than one battery in a secure plastic ziploc bag. Each single battery should have its own secure plastic ziploc bag. Also, do not store a loose battery or batteries in a metal or tin can or near anything metal or any metallic materials. I mention this because the original post mentioned a survival tin. Even with the single battery secure in the plastic ziploc bag, I wouldn't store it in a metal tin. I have seen a bunch of things online about battery fires. This is a link to a 9 volt battery fire story, but hopefully it raises awareness about all battery dangers. http://themotherlist.com/fire-safety-video-must-watch/

 

[RevDevil]

Just as a fire safety note, do not store loose batteries together. Do not store more than one battery in a secure plastic ziploc bag. Each single battery should have its own secure plastic ziploc bag. Also, do not store a loose battery or batteries in a metal or tin can or near anything metal or any metallic materials. I mention this because the original post mentioned a survival tin. Even with the single battery secure in the plastic ziploc bag, I wouldn't store it in a metal tin. I have seen a bunch of things online about battery fires. This is a link to a 9 volt battery fire story, but hopefully it raises awareness about all battery dangers. http://themotherlist.com/fire-safety-video-must-watch/

We don't bother with the individual battery bagging anymore. We recycle all batteries at work. From Lithium to Alkaline to car batteries to cell phone, everything. We dump everything into a cardboard box, when the scale hits 50lbs, we seal it up and ship it to the recycling facility. They told us not to worry about using individual ziplocks for each cell. When I asked why, the guy said if you ask someone to bag every battery, they will end up in a trashcan rather than in the box.

 

[u812]

I have never had a lithium battery leak,I am sure they could but they do not seem to do it near as bad as alkaline. Had many alkaline batteries leak. I have a Photon light that is several years old on the original battery still going strong.
This reminds me,I need the swap out the AAA Lithium in my ARC P on my keyring,that battery has been in it a very long time. Think it is from when lithium AAAs first came out.

 

[A.L.]

I know this is a very old post, but just happened to come across it. As a safety note, do not store a loose battery or batteries in a metal can or tin or near any other metal or metallic materials. It is a fire hazard. Also do not store loose batteries together. Do not store more than one single battery in a ziplock bag. Each single battery should have its own secure ziplock bag. Even with the single battery secure in the ziplock bag, I would avoid the metal tin as a storage place. Thanks. Just looking out for you. I have seen a bunch of things online about battery fires. This is a link to a 9 volt battery fire story, but hopefully it will raise awareness about all battery dangers.
http://themotherlist.com/fire-safety-video-must-watch/

Thanks.
These days I just simply use all my flashlights, and sold or given away those I don't need. No point in having them laying around in boxes.

 

[Mcmomo]

We don't bother with the individual battery bagging anymore. We recycle all batteries at work. From Lithium to Alkaline to car batteries to cell phone, everything. We dump everything into a cardboard box, when the scale hits 50lbs, we seal it up and ship it to the recycling facility. They told us not to worry about using individual ziplocks for each cell. When I asked why, the guy said if you ask someone to bag every battery, they will end up in a trashcan rather than in the box.

With sincerity and respect, I am very concerned about how your job recycles. This is a fire and safety hazard in storage and transport. The DOT and EPA have all kinds of laws and regulations about all these different kinds of batteries and the specific handling of each kind. Please investigate further about this recycling facility you use and have them clarify everything about how to handle each of these different kind of batteries and do some research into the info they give you about how to handle each of these different kinds of batteries. Report them if necessary.
Again, I only say this respectfully out of concern for you your coworkers and those involved in the transport of these batteries. Be safe.

 

[RevDevil]

With sincerity and respect, I am very concerned about how your job recycles. This is a fire and safety hazard in storage and transport. The DOT and EPA have all kinds of laws and regulations about all these different kinds of batteries and the specific handling of each kind. Please investigate further about this recycling facility you use and have them clarify everything about how to handle each of these different kind of batteries and do some research into the info they give you about how to handle each of these different kinds of batteries. Report them if necessary.
Again, I only say this respectfully out of concern for you your coworkers and those involved in the transport of these batteries. Be safe.

I fully agree, and have brought it up to the safety committee several times, it gets shrugged off. They are more concerned about 2UL approved extension cords being used on the same outlet. I can imagine what would happen if a small fire broke out in the box, and the individual cells started exploding. Unfortunately some companies, are all too proud to put fools in positions of authority and decision making with titles of supervisor, lead, director, etc.
One of the older gentlemen that works there took a look at the box at one point and said, "yeah, that is one big accident waiting to happen".

 

[Mcmomo]

I fully agree, and have brought it up to the safety committee several times, it gets shrugged off. They are more concerned about 2UL approved extension cords being used on the same outlet. I can imagine what would happen if a small fire broke out in the box, and the individual cells started exploding. Unfortunately some companies, are all too proud to put fools in positions of authority and decision making with titles of supervisor, lead, director, etc.
One of the older gentlemen that works there took a look at the box at one point and said, "yeah, that is one big accident waiting to happen".

Thanks for your reply. The company and the recycling facility should be reported. OSHA, the DOT, and the EPA would be good sources (anonymously). It is a very dangerous situation for you, your coworkers, those involved in transit, and the workers at the recycling facility.

 

[annr]

Just as a fire safety note, do not store loose batteries together. Do not store more than one battery in a secure plastic ziploc bag. Each single battery should have its own secure plastic ziploc bag. Also, do not store a loose battery or batteries in a metal or tin can or near anything metal or any metallic materials. I mention this because the original post mentioned a survival tin. Even with the single battery secure in the plastic ziploc bag, I wouldn't store it in a metal tin. I have seen a bunch of things online about battery fires. This is a link to a 9 volt battery fire story, but hopefully it raises awareness about all battery dangers. http://themotherlist.com/fire-safety-video-must-watch/

Does this apply to new batteries? The ones I buy come packaged in bulk. Do they need to be separated and bagged in plastic ziplock before storing?
How about 9V that I think are sold separately? Thanks for bringing attention to this.