Watch Batteries.

[ecodec]

Hi everyone, I realise that this is a purists forum but I fix all sorts of watches so I ask a question. 99% of the time I use Silver Oxide batteries for quartz watches, however I have noticed that when left for a long period flat, the battery may leak and rot and corrode the -ve terminal. Sometimes needing quite a repair. These batteries contain an alkaline electrolyte but due to the Sil Ox give a flatter voltage output they say. I have just performed a very basic test as follows on a new alkaline battery... Off load voltage 1.552 V,   Max current 2860 microamperes. About the same as the equivalent Sil Ox battery. I have not performed an extended test. Any constructive comments would be welcomed.

Edited October 23, 2018 by ecodec
correction

[qhartman]

This article has a lot of good information on this topic, including types and brands they found were less likely to leak: http://www.great-british-watch.co.uk/how-to-spot-and-deal-with-watch-battery-leaks/

I've just decided that whatever the benefits of silver oxide are, they are outweighed by the risk of using them, so I use lithium whenever I can. Whenever I can't, I replace them every three years or so, dead or not, and recommend that anyone I replace them for do the same. 

[JohnR725]

One of the unfortunate problems of electric watches are the power source. Ever since they made the first electric timepiece the chemical battery is a problem. So for the most part sooner or later the batteries will all leak if you give them enough time.

3 hours ago, qhartman said:

I've just decided that whatever the benefits of silver oxide are, they are outweighed by the risk of using them, so I use lithium whenever I can. Whenever I can't, I replace them every three years or so, dead or not, and recommend that anyone I replace them for do the same

So I'm curious lithium batteries typically are physically sized differently then silver cells how do you deal with that? Then there is the other problem the voltage difference 1.55 versus 3 V?

 

 

[ecodec]

7 hours ago, qhartman said:

This article has a lot of good information on this topic, including types and brands they found were less likely to leak: http://www.great-british-watch.co.uk/how-to-spot-and-deal-with-watch-battery-leaks/

I've just decided that whatever the benefits of silver oxide are, they are outweighed by the risk of using them, so I use lithium whenever I can. Whenever I can't, I replace them every three years or so, dead or not, and recommend that anyone I replace them for do the same. 

Thank you qhartmann for your help, Mike. ECODEC.

[qhartman]

So I'm curious lithium batteries typically are physically sized differently then silver cells how do you deal with that? Then there is the other problem the voltage difference 1.55 versus 3 V?
 
 

Doh. I was thinking of alkaline vs silver oxide when I dashed that off. It would be nice if lithium were an option, but as far as I know unless the watch is designed for it, it isn't for the reasons you state. Sorry my haste let some misinformation get out.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5000 using Tapatalk

[ecodec]

10 hours ago, qhartman said:

This article has a lot of good information on this topic, including types and brands they found were less likely to leak: http://www.great-british-watch.co.uk/how-to-spot-and-deal-with-watch-battery-leaks/

I've just decided that whatever the benefits of silver oxide are, they are outweighed by the risk of using them, so I use lithium whenever I can. Whenever I can't, I replace them every three years or so, dead or not, and recommend that anyone I replace them for do the same. 

Thank you Sir. Ecodec.

 

Edited October 24, 2018 by ecodec
more info

[diveboy]

Not all batteries are created equally, theses are 1961 W-1 batteries.

not bad for 57 year old cell batteries

but yes, I never leave a cell in after I let the watch cool off after wearing it.

[watchweasol]

Hi Guys   I think the moral of this story is never store quartz  watches or clocks with batteries in as all batteries given time will leak causing damage, best to remove the battery and fit a label as to what type it takes then its easy to pop one in when you want to wear it. saves scratching the head trying to remember what was fitted.