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From: jones@sj.ate.slb.com (Clark Jones)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Panasonic speakerphone forbids alkaline batteries
Keywords: batteries
Message-ID: <1990Jul5.233241.18081@sj.ate.slb.com>
Date: 5 Jul 90 23:32:41 GMT
References: <840@sagpd1.UUCP> <9382@pogo.WV.TEK.COM>
Reply-To: jones@sjs.sj.ate.slb.com (Clark Jones)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Schlumberger Technologies, Tempe, AZ
Lines: 38

In article <9382@pogo.WV.TEK.COM> bobt@pogo.WV.TEK.COM (Bob Tidrick) writes:
>In article <840@sagpd1.UUCP> agershon@sagpd1.UUCP (Arnie Gershon) writes:
>>I have a Panasonic model KX-T2355 speakerphone which I really like.  I'm
>>very impressed with its array of features.  
>>
>>However, the instructions include installing some AA batteries and they forbid
>>using alkaline
>
>>I called Panasonic Customer Service, and was told that alkalines couldn't be 
>>used because when they were exhausted their leakage would ruin the device.  I
>>asked if carbon-zinc didn't have a similar problem, and they said no, they 
>>didn't.
>
>>Does anybody know if this restriction makes sense?
>
>No It doesn't. Carbon batteries use up the cathode which is Zinc and eat holes
>through it. Since this is also the containment for the battery this is what
>causes the leaks. Alkaline batteries have the cathode on the inside. The outer
>part is carbon and it does not diminish. I have never seen or heard of an
>alkaline battery leaking where I have had many carbon zinc batteries leak.
>These people have been fed some WRONG information.
>                                -----

Uh, I beg to disagree.  Everything I've read indicates that if the device
ever forces more than a few microamps back into the batteries, you must _NOT_
use alkalines, though carbon-zinc's are OK.  The reason for not wanting NiCd's
might be because of the lower operating voltage (1.25V/cell).

Odds are that it is a misprint, but since all the literature from battery
manufacturers says that the alkaline cells can _explode_ if "recharged", I'd
be inclined to stick with the carbon-zinc's.  (Or if you are adventurous,
try some NiCd's.  They'll probably work, and unless stored for many years,
won't leak [I've had a few leak after 15 or so years in a drawer :-(].)

						Clark

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are mine and not those of Schlumberger
because they are NOT covered by the patent agreement!