Beacon batteries

[ferniesnow]

Last year, my batteries leaked in my beacon. It was the first year since I've been using a beacon that they leaked over the summer. In trying to clean the contacts, I broke one and had to send it to Avalanche Safety Solutions in Golden to get fixed. No big deal but if the first time one looked at the beacon was for the first ride, it takes a couple weeks to get repaired. Better safe than sorry.

Remember to take the batteries out for the summer months. It may save you a lot of agony in November.

 

[Summitric]

I've always taken the batteries out at the end of a season, including in the radios. Fresh batteries in for the next season.....

 

[Teth-Air]

I've always taken the batteries out at the end of a season, including in the radios. Fresh batteries in for the next season.....

And I never had done this and got lucky but nice to be able to learn from others mistakes rather than mine. Thanks to Doug for the tip.

 

[Mike270412]

I always do but thanks for the reminder.

 

[Rene G]

Good idea, doing it now

 

[Indy245]

Thanks! - Batteries are still like new will repurpose

 

[LUCKY 7]

took my out yesterday and will also repurpose them

 

[Dooitorbust]

Thanks for the reminder. Also didn’t know that such a place existed to have a beacon repaired. So thanks for that as well!

 

[tex78]

The new alkaline battery seem to do this even half through the year, like the heat of the summer does it

Had lights and stuff lately, I have to leave the batteries out till used, then installed

They don't make stuff like they used to

 

[ferniesnow]

Bring this to the forefront once again.

If you are finished riding, take the batteries out of your beacon for the summer. If you don't, you may get a surprise for the first ride and find that a battery or batteries leaked and the corrosion will cause a problem. Your first ride may be postponed while the transceiver is being fixed.

 

[Ronaha]

Thanks, I’m sure the old lady could use the batteries....for something

 

[kimrick]

Thanks Doug.
Kinda forgot to do this.Will remove all my beacon batteries today.
I will just mark them with a black marker to indicate they are used and put in something else.

 

[pipes]

education cost money. unfortunately some of us have to pay more.

 

[MarkCos]

Good idea!! But the why got me ,so I looked it up to learn it all over again
lol

Alkaline batteries are prone to leaking potassium hydroxide
, a caustic agent that can cause respiratory, eye and skin irritation.[SUP][note 1][/SUP] Risk of this can be reduced by not attempting to recharge disposable alkaline cells, not mixing different battery types in the same device, replacing all of the batteries at the same time, storing in a dry place and at room temperature, and removing batteries for storage of devices.
All batteries gradually self-discharge (whether installed in a device or not) and dead batteries will eventually leak. Extremely high temperatures can also cause batteries to rupture and leak (such as in a car during summer) as well as decrease the shelf life of the battery.
The reason for leaks is that as batteries discharge — either through usage or gradual self-discharge — the chemistry of the cells changes and some hydrogen gas is generated. This out-gassing increases pressure in the battery. Eventually, the excess pressure either ruptures the insulating seals at the end of the battery, or the outer metal canister, or both. In addition, as the battery ages, its steel outer canister may gradually corrode or rust, which can further contribute to containment failure.
Once a leak has formed due to corrosion of the outer steel shell, potassium hydroxide absorbs carbon dioxide from the air to form a feathery crystalline structure of potassium carbonate that grows and spreads out from the battery over time, following along metal electrodes to circuit boards where it commences oxidation of copper tracks and other components, leading to permanent circuitry damage.
The leaking crystalline growths can also emerge from seams around battery covers to form a furry coating outside the device, that corrodes any objects in contact with the leaking device