batteriesbattery-chemistry
I'm finding that some new alkaline batteries, such as the new Duracell Duralock and Energizer Power Seal batteries, have a shelf life of 10 years. Most other alkaline batteries have a shelf life of 7 years.
How is the chemistry or structure of these new alkaline batteries different, and how does it affect performance and battery life under various loads compared to older batteries? Google hasn't been very helpful here.
From the information provided it sounds either like a faulty battery or a very high current drain from the equipment - or both.
Update 1 : Having seen the most impressive photo, my prior assessment stands. This would be extremely unusual. A large amount of energy seems to have been involved. If there were 3 or more batteries in series (were there?) and one was reversed this may happen as the current would be driven through it backwards.
This strongly suggests a bad battery - possibly a counterfeit one.
Update 2:
We now know there are two batteries.
This is less than the 3 minimum needed to drive current backwards through one battery so the back discharge mode seems unlikely.
it is still possible with one well charged battery and one fully discharged.
The good battery can effectively reverse polarity charge the dead battery.
Unlikely but possible in this case.
A counterfeit battery still sounds possible.
Prior material:
IR remote controls pulse IR LEDs with short pulses of very high current - possibly an amp or more. Most batteries should either provide this or just gracefully fail to do so. A very poor quality battery or a faulty one MAY be affected by such a load.
If the IR control stayed on for some reason then a continued high current may occur. If this happens the IR LED would probably die. If your control still works with a nw battery then this is probably NOT what happened.
It is EXTREMELY unusual for an AAA cell to "explode" in use. You need to say if it was an alkaline, or NimH or ??? type cell.
Some appliances allow charging of the battery inside the equipment. If a non rechargeable battery is charged it MAY explode. This would be rare and it is unlikely your remote allowed charging.
Aspects worth considering in situations like this:
These are suggestions only - necessarily an incomplete list.
What sort of battery - Alkaline, NimH, other?
Ability to deliver high current may increase chances of "energetic" reaction.
How many AA batteries in remote?
Three batteries are required in series for reversal of one battery to cause significant reverse current flow when all batteries are in good condition. (ie one "forward" battery opposes the reversed battery and the remaining 'forward' battery supplies forward current.
IR remote presumably? IR remotes often pulse the LEDs at very high peak current levels - far higher than in most handheld devices. Brand of battery?
Age of battery (time in use)
Was it recharged
Was a non-rechargable battery charged? Can 'cause problems'.
Yes, Lithium-ion bateries degrades over time, even if unused. It is due to a chemical/physical reaction that starts right after manufacturing of the cells.
I can't answer on the state of your batteries. Because it highly depends on the storage temperature and also the charging level of the cells during the storage.
I don't remember the optimal number, and if you know it, don't hesitate to modify my answer, but AFAIK it was around 60%. Thus if you want to reduce the aging effect, you should store your cells at 60% charge. I don't remember the optimal value for the temp.
Best Answer
The Duralock battery has improved alkaline cells (improved purity of actual chemical ingredients) not only this but the Duralock battery protects the anode and cathode with separators that limit power transfer when the battery is not in use. On top of this, it has a sort of triple corrosion protection that surrounds the contents in an acid resistant, anti-corrosive exterior. Therefore ensuring shelf life.
Although probably not a complete answer, Hope this helps