Duracell AA damage-to-optic “warranty” ?

73Chall

73Chall

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Anyone have any firsthand experience seeking reimbursement from a battery maker for failure of the battery permanently destroying the optic said battery was in?

Background: left a Trijicon ranging reticle ACOG w Duracell AA in it for about a year, went to retrieve it and the battery had obviously leaked. Battery cap would NOT come off. Called Trijicon and they said, “Send it in, we’ll see what we can do, we’ve seen this before.”

Got a call from Trijicon yesterday saying their technicians assess - and are putting in writing - the Duracell battery essentially exploded and chemically “welded” the male-female threads together, destroying not only the male threads on the battery but, also the female threads to the battery compartment, which is integral (a part of) the scope itself.

The Trijicon rep said this is not the first time they’ve seen this and the typical next step is to contact the battery Mfr and make them aware of the situation and that sometimes the battery Mfr makes good on the customer’s product which their leaking battery destroyed …

Just curious is anyone else has gone this route and if so any steps you would do differently or not at all?

(One spice in my pie is that I am second owner of the scope; the bud who sold it to me is trying to find the original receipt / invoice as Trijicon said they’re gonna need that when Duracell contacts them (Trijicon) for confirmation as to scopes value, etc.)


Moral of the story: DO NOT simply leave batteries in your optics for extended periods of time … (one more example of why my headstone will have iron sights engraved on it, before crosshairs …! :-/

ETA: well, it’s been six months since o completed my end of the claims process but, just home from FL, going through the stack of mail and

Duracell mailed me a check!
 
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No personal experience with this but I am old enough to remember when batteries had a warranty statement on them that said just that. I have noticed that is no longer true, or at least I haven't seen the statement on any I have.

I never noticed batteries leaking in the distant past, but now it seems like they all leak at some point in time.
 
Good luck getting them to replace your optic, please report back the results.
It’s tough to remember to pull batteries when something’s not in use. Caught one in time leaking in a PVS-14.
It’s what Duracells do. After finding the 1st or second leakers, I started going through battery powered stuff. None of the energizers or over cheap chinesium batteries were leaking. I won’t buy Duracell alkaline anymore. Here’s some in the last year:
House thermostat
IMG_0844.jpeg

TENS unit:
IMG_1668.jpeg
I had all four leak and corrode in a $100+ laser measuring tool.

And both were leaking and corroded up a handheld Garmin gps.
 
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Had this happen with a Streamlight flashlight. Battery took a dump and welded itself into the light.

Fortunately this wasn’t a pricier optic.
 
Streamlight replaced all the innards of a Dualie AA because of battery leakage. They have another one of mine there in their shop that is being returned today. I'm really surprised that they are replacing them because of leakage.
 
Duracell sent me $10 to replace my keychain Maglite years ago. I've been using Bunny batteries since then, they also leak now and then.
 
ChiCom batteries. I used to buy the AA & AAA Duracell at BJ Club, they leaked a lot.
 
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I used to use and prefer Duracell AA batteries but after having batteries leak in multiple items, I have switched everything to Energizer and now only buy them. Have not had a battery leak since.

Duracell batteries destroyed every Maglite flashlight that I had from D cell to AAA. Looking back, I guess I should have kept the D cell tubes and repurposed them.

I still buy Duracell car batteries as they are made by East Penn.

Good luck getting Duracell to do anything. Probably send you a coupon for a couple free batteries.
 
I have a couple things. First sorry to hear about your optic that sucks, second this should serve an another fine example to NOT buy Trijicon products. They make good stuff but you have to jump through all kinds of hoops to get them to warranty anything, and lastly, your wife still has the receipt from purchasing AA batteries from over a year ago???
 
73Chall said:
Anyone have any firsthand experience seeking reimbursement from a battery maker for failure of the battery permanently destroying the optic said battery was in?

Background: left a Trijicon ranging reticle ACOG w Duracell AA in it for about a year, went to retrieve it and the battery had obviously leaked. Battery cap would NOT come off. Called Trijicon and they said, “Send it in, we’ll see what we can do, we’ve seen this before.”

Got a call from Trijicon yesterday saying their technicians assess - and are putting in writing - the Duracell battery essentially exploded and chemically “welded” the male-female threads together, destroying not only the male threads on the battery but, also the female threads to the battery compartment, which is integral (a part of) the scope itself.

The Trijicon rep said this is not the first time they’ve seen this and the typical next step is to contact the battery Mfr and make them aware of the situation and that sometimes the battery Mfr makes good on the customer’s product which their leaking battery destroyed …

Just curious is anyone else has gone this route and if so any steps you would do differently or not at all?

(One spice in my pie is that I am second owner of the scope; the bud who sold it to me is trying to find the original receipt / invoice as Trijicon said they’re gonna need that when Duracell contacts them (Trijicon) for confirmation as to scopes value, etc.)


Moral of the story: DO NOT simply leave batteries in your optics for extended periods of time … (one more example of why my headstone will have iron sights engraved on it, before crosshairs …! :-/
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I haven’t had it happen, but like you said, I never leave batteries in my optics or gear. I have had some gear ruined or damaged when a battery leaked. I’m surprised that trijicon needs the original receipt now. I sent a couple of second hand Acog’s back a year and a half ago and they gave me service with just a serial number off the unit provided.
 
Duracell paid to replace my outdoor weather station when the batteries leaked. Subsequently I tried to use Energizer AA batteries in it but the diameter is a tiny bit larger and they wouldn't fit. Now I replace the batteries every 6 months.
 
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I’d stay away from alkaline at all in any device you want to leave batteries in long term. LSD NIMH like Eneloops or Energizer Lithiums are the way to go as long as said device can handle the higher voltage of the lithium batteries. Both have better cold resistance than alkaline as well.
 
I had a couple flashlights that needed new AAA batteries and like normal, the Duracell batteries had leaked and made a mess. I'll never buy Duracell small batteries again.

These were in a small aluminum flashlight with the battery cage that holds 3.
1701561346195.png1701561386271.png
These were in my hunting headlamp.
1701561126185.png
 
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Unfortunately, Energizer won't fit inside my outdoor weather station. They are too big around to fit and close the cover on them.
 
Mack270 said:
I’d stay away from alkaline at all in any device you want to leave batteries in long term. LSD NIMH like Eneloops or Energizer Lithiums are the way to go as long as said device can handle the higher voltage of the lithium batteries. Both have better cold resistance than alkaline as well.
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This! I got tired of having to scrape the leaking residue off my things and moved almost everything to Eneloop rechargeable batteries or Energizer lithium ones. Haven't had an issue yet. The eneloop's can't hold their charge as long as the Energizer lithium ones, but they recharge easily.
 
Saw firsthand how Duracell alkalines completely effed a Ludlum M-3 survey meter.

Personally, I run Eneloops in anything needing AAA, AA, C or D cells.
 
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I has batteries leak in some Dillon primer and powder alarms, Sent them to Dillon who replaced the all.
Don’t remember the battery brand.
 
I don't have anything to add other than what others have said about using lithium for any high end electronics. It's just not worth the risk to use alkaline. Hope you get your cash for it. What is Triji quoting you for repair?
 
I just had a whole bad package of Energizer Max AAs, for what it is worth. Like 5 different things around the house had corrosion within a couple of months. I think I'm gonna only buy lithiums from now on.
 
I know this is the optics section but it’s topic related, lithium batteries apparently don’t degas and break down like alkaline batteries do, so the corrosion risk isn’t there, however, be cautious with high draw items like flashlights on turbo mode. Lithium batteries do not like being discharged quickly and can be a fire hazard
 
IrishCannon said:
… Hope you get your cash for it. What is Triji quoting you for repair?
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Trijicon said it was behond repair and encouraged me to pursue the claim with Duracell, providing me with their technicians written diagnosis of “battery failure”. I need to look up how many weeks it’s been and reach out to Duracell …
 
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I’ve had corrosion problems with duracell as well, that I’ve quit use them, at least I thought. Just few weeks ago one of my Streamlight flashlights just randomly came on. Opened it up and you guessed it. Corrosion 😡 I thought I had removed them all. I was able to clean it up. But no more for me.
 
elmostump said:
Just few weeks ago one of my Streamlight flashlights just randomly came on. Opened it up and you guessed it. Corrosion 😡
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So you're telling me that everyone in paranormal ghost movies is using corroded duracells in their flashlights? and all those creepy kids' toys and dolls all have corroded duracells in them?
 
yeeyee said:
So you're telling me that everyone in paranormal ghost movies is using corroded duracells in their flashlights? and all those creepy kids' toys and dolls all have corroded duracells in them?
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Maybe, it actually happen on 2 occasions before I figured it out. I blamed the first occurrence on my wife for touching my stuff 🤦‍♂️
 
Who is the recommended brand of batteries to use in my lights and optics? Are rechargeable worth the money?
 
I have started buying USB rechargeable items whenever possible. Still need batteries for weapon lights and optics but no longer for flashlights/headlamps and anything else I can.
 
AR10ShooterinNC said:
Who is the recommended brand of batteries to use in my lights and optics? Are rechargeable worth the money?
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Most optics take coin bats...for AA/AAA optics, idk if it's worth it or not. I'd just get lithium disposable. Flashlights? Ya, Energizer or Eneloop rechargeable. I've never looked into rechargeable CR123.
 
ETA: well, it’s been six months since I completed my end of the claims process but, just home from FL, going through the stack of mail and

Duracell mailed me a check!

Moral of the story REMAINS : DO NOT simply leave batteries in your optics for extended periods of time …
 
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