Inexpensive batteries on eBay

[Patrick]

Has anyone here bought those packages of inexpensive batteries on eBay for Pioneer and Voyager models? What is your experience with them. I suppose they don't last as long but, even if they lasted half as long as name brand batteries, they'd still last, what, 9 years in my 15C??

[Mike Sebastian]

Those batteries are alkaline batteries. They are great for devices that consume those types of batteries rather quickly like laser pointers or toys. But, alkaline batteries tend to leak after a few years, possibly causing irreparable damage to the device they are in.

Those alkaline batteries are fine for short term use in a calculator, but I wouldn't leave them in a valuable calculator like a Pioneer or Voyager. Spend the extra money on silver oxide batteries.

[Nelson M. Sicuro (Brazil)]

I think that thise batteries aren't so inexpensive... $3.33 plus $2.42 shipping is $5.75 for 10 units ($0.57 or $0.58 each).
Here in Brazil I just bought 6 units of Maxell LR44 (original) silver-oxide for my HP11C and HP42S for about $0.84 (R$2,50) each in a common photo-store. I think that if you search for those Maxell LR44 there in the US you can find it for even lower prices.

Regards,

Nelson

[Mike]

those batteries on eBay.

First, there is such a thing as shelf life. These are likely ones that can't be sold retail any longer.

Second, why risk a valuable piece of equipment with old, possibly defective batteries.

Third, they are not that cheap in the first place.

[David Smith]

I suspect that they are fresh cards Vinnic batteries from China. I have not used the Ebay ones becuase I can get them locally for less. They work great and are a bargain... 25 cents a cell. Some places charge up to $2.00 each for an LR44! I had a set in a digital scale for 5 years and another in a 12C for the same amount of time. No leakage. I usually replace ALL my batteries (smoke alarms, thermostats, cameras, calculators, etc) yearly on "battery day", but these two items were lost in the back of a drawer.