All Questions And Answers
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Can I use Duracell batteries for all devices?
Duracell Batteries give reliable performance across all your devices.
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IS THE BUNNY AVAILABLE FOR SALE?
Unfortunately the Duracell Bunny is not available for sale.
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HOW WAS THE DURACELL BUNNY CONCEIVED?
It began in 1973, when breakthrough advertising was developed to communicate that Duracell alkaline batteries lasted much longer than ordinary and inexpensive zinc carbon batteries. A small, pink, fluffy bunny was created who, powered by Duracell batteries, was able to outlast all others in an array of colourful challenges.
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WHAT IS THE ANODE, CATHODE AND ELECTROLYTE?
These are the basic components of a battery and like other alkaline batteries are: The anode is the negative electrode and is made of zinc. The cathode is the positive electrode and is made of manganese dioxide. The electrolyte is an aqueous solution that allows transport of ions between the electrodes and is made of potassium hydroxide.
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Can I light a battery on fire?
NEVER light or dispose of batteries in a fire—they may explode, rupture, and cause safety risks.
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IS IT OK TO USE RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES IN ANY DEVICE?
You can use round cell rechargeable in absolutely any device where you would normally use an alkaline battery, unless stated otherwise by the device manufacturer. There are no interference implications using rechargeable battery brands that are different to the device brand. (Please note that this is referring to round cell rechargeables, the lithium different shaped batteries are often developed by the manufacturer specifically to fit a certain cavity size, and therefore only the brand battery might work).
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WHAT ABOUT GADGETS YOU DON’T OFTEN USE? WILL THE BATTERY DRAIN ITSELF IF THE GADGETS ARE UNUSED FOR A WHILE?
Standard rechargeable batteries do discharge overtime and are therefore not ideal for devices not used often or low-drain equipment.
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WHICH DEVICES SHOULDN’T YOU USE RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES IN?
You can use rechargeable batteries in absolutely any device where you would normally use an alkaline battery, unless stated otherwise by the device manufacturer. There are no interference implications using rechargeable battery brands that are different to the device brand.
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WHICH DURACELL BATTERIES ARE BEST FOR MY EVERYDAY DEVICES E.G. REMOTE CONTROL, DIGITAL CAMERA, MP3 PLAYER AND MOTORISED TOYS?
Duracell Ultra Power is the best and most powerful alkaline battery from Duracell across all devices.
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Where can I buy Duracell products?
Right here on Duracell.co.uk. On every product’s detail page you can find the e-retailers that carry the product and whether it is in stock or not. You should also be able to find many of our products in common stores like drug stores, markets, department stores, warehouse stores, and office supply stores, or as mass merchandise.
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What is your response to recent third-party battery comparison testing against other brands?
Duracell is the #1 brand trusted by consumers all over the world. Battery performance is not a one-dimensional measurement; several parameters that affect performance data are: discharge characteristics, voltage, energy density, effect of discharge load and temperature as well as shelf life. Technical bulletins providing detailed information for each battery type are available in the Technical Library. Testing our designs in both a laboratory environment (following IEC methodologies) along with real life usage studies ensures our innovations continually delight our consumer.
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Should I store my batteries in the refrigerator or freezer?
We recommend storing batteries at room temperature in a dry environment. Extreme heat or cold reduces battery performance. You’ll want to avoid putting battery-powered devices in very warm places. In addition, refrigeration is not necessary or recommended.
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Should I remove batteries from my device if I’m not going to be using it for a while?
Yes. Remove batteries from a device when it is not expected to be in use for several months.
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How do I clean up after a battery leak?
Follow these tips to clean up after a battery has leaked: Work in a well-ventilated area. Wear household gloves and glasses. Using a toothbrush or cotton swab, remove battery leakage from the electrical contacts. Make sure the electronic device is completely dry before trying a new battery. To avoid future problems, adopt the following practices:
Do not mix and match different battery brands in the same device.
Remove batteries from devices that are being stored.
To clean any leakage of the following battery types, Alkaline, NiCAD and NiMH batteries, use either one tablespoon of boric acid in one gallon of water or a mixture of equal amounts of diluted vinegar or lemon juice with water (50/50 ratio).
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How do Duracell batteries affect the environment?
In 1993, we voluntarily eliminated added mercury from our batteries. “Our alkaline batteries are composed of primarily common materials—steel, zinc, and manganese—and do not pose a health or environmental risk in normal use or disposal. What’s more, we are going green by eliminating PVC clamshells and replacing them with high-fiber content cards and RPET (Recycled PET) blisters. This is a complete, sustainable packaging solution, one of the best PVC alternatives available today. As the world’s leading manufacturer of high-performance alkaline batteries, we recognize our responsibility to help protect the environment. We’re committed to designing, manufacturing, and distributing batteries in a way that minimizes impact to the environment. We also participate in the Call2Recycle program to ensure the safe and proper recycling or disposing of batteries.”
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Which battery type should I use in extreme temperatures?
If equipment must be used periodically in extreme temperatures, premium alkaline batteries are recommended. These types perform much better than zinc carbon batteries under such conditions
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Can I use batteries underwater or in other vacuum conditions?
No, Duracell batteries are not designed to be used underwater or in vacuum conditions. The cells are designed to be used under normal atmospheric conditions and in fairly constant temperatures (approximately 21 °C/70 °F).
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Are batteries affected by temperature?
We recommend storing batteries at room temperature in a dry environment. Extreme heat or cold reduces battery performance. You’ll want to avoid putting battery-powered devices in very warm places. In addition, refrigeration is not necessary or recommended.
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Which way does the + and – go?
Carefully follow instructions on your equipment regarding proper insertion of batteries, ensuring that the + (plus) and – (minus) terminals are aligned correctly. CAUTION: Some equipment using three or more batteries may appear to work properly even if one battery is inserted incorrectly; such usage may lead to battery leakage or rupture that could result in equipment damage.
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There are Chinese letters on my batteries. What does it mean?
The characters indicate that the batteries are mercury-free.
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Should I light a battery on fire?
NEVER light or dispose of batteries in a fire—they may explode, rupture, and cause safety risks.
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My child likes to play with batteries. Is this ok?
Young children should not play with batteries. Batteries are made to power devices, not to be played with individually. Remember that while batteries are popular, commonplace devices, they generate portable power by means of potent chemical reactions. Batteries should never be disassembled, abused, mishandled, or treated as toys. Although most batteries contain chemicals that won’t harm exposed skin, they should still be treated as any chemical would. Always take precautions when handling exposed battery chemicals. Battery chemicals shouldn’t be placed near the eyes or ingested. Contact a physician immediately if this should occur. To assure safety, use of batteries by children should be closely monitored by a responsible adult.
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My battery got wet and now there is a white powdery substance on it. What do I do?
In the unlikely event that a battery is wet or covered with a white powdery substance, limit your handling of the battery. Only handle the battery as required for proper removal and disposal and immediately wash any exposed body surfaces and clothing with soap and water. If contact with the eyes occurs, immediately flush the eyes with running water for at least 15 minutes and then seek immediate medical assistance.
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How should I handle batteries that leaked in a device?
Although most batteries contain chemicals that won’t harm exposed skin, they should still be treated as any chemical would. Always take precautions when handling exposed battery chemicals. Battery chemicals shouldn’t be placed near the eyes or ingested. Contact a physician immediately if this should occur.
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Do your batteries contain mercury?
No, all versions of Duracell batteries are mercury-free. We are proud to have voluntarily stopped using mercury in our general purpose batteries (AAA, AA, C, D, and 9V sizes) in 1993. Our alkaline batteries are made mainly from common metals steel, zinc and manganese and do not pose a risk to health or the environment if they are used and disposed of appropriately. All hearing-aid batteries have been mercury-free since January 2011, in line with The Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Act.
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Can I take a battery apart?
No. Do not dismantle batteries. When a battery is dismantled, contact with the components can be harmful and may cause personal injury or fire.
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A battery turned warm in my pocket. Is it normal?
No, batteries should not become warm when not in use. We print a caution on our packaging warning consumers not to carry or store batteries loose in your pocket or purse. They can be shorted by contact with metal objects and leak or rupture and cause personal injury.
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Who invented the battery?
In the 1860s, George Leclanche of France developed what would be the forerunner of the world’s first widely used battery; the zinc carbon cell. The anode was a zinc and mercury-alloyed rod (zinc, the anode in Alessandro Volta’s original cell, proved to be one of the best metals for the job). The cathode was a porous cup of crushed manganese dioxide and some carbon. Into the mix was inserted a carbon rod to act as the current collector. Both the anode and the cathode cup were plunged into a liquid solution of ammonium chloride, which acted as the electrolyte. The system was called a “wet cell.” Though Leclanche’s cell was rugged and inexpensive, it was eventually replaced by the improved “dry cell” in the 1880s. The anode became the zinc can containing the cell, and the electrolyte became a paste rather than a liquid; basically the zinc carbon cell that is known today.
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What is inside a battery?
Batteries may be small, but they’re far from simple. They’re highly engineered electrochemical cells. Chemical energy is converted to electrical energy by a redox reaction. This process takes place between the three major parts of a battery: the anode, cathode, and electrolyte. Different types of batteries use different materials for these parts. The materials for these parts are chosen depending on how well they give up or attract electrons, something that must happen for an electric current to be generated. The anode is often a metal, the cathode is a metallic oxide, and the electrolyte is a salt solution that facilitates the ion flow.
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What is an alkaline battery?
Duracell pioneered the Alkaline Manganese Dioxide electrochemical system nearly 40 years ago. In the 1960s, this battery system rapidly became the popular choice of designers in the ever-widening field of consumer electronics. Alkaline or Alkaline Manganese Dioxide cells have many advantages over zinc-carbon cells including up to ten times the ampere-hour capacity at high and continuous drain conditions. Also, its performance at low temperatures is superior to other conventional aqueous electrolyte primary cells. Other significant advantages are longer shelf life, better leakage resistance, and superior low-temperature performance. Its more effective, secure seal provides excellent resistance to leakage and corrosion.
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Why choosing Duracell chargers?
If you are tired of waiting a full night for your batteries to be recharged, Duracell chargers are the perfect solution for you. Duracell offers four different models of battery chargers, all coming with different specificities and charging times, to ensure you will find the charger that fits your needs:
the ‘15 min Expert Charger’, the ‘45 min Advanced Charger’, the ‘1 h Multi Charger’ or the ‘Value Charger’. And because speed of charger does matter, Duracell chargers are charging faster than the best-selling competitor worldwide*.
*When using same capacity AA batteries. Based on Nielsen sales data.
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Which devices shouldn’t you use rechargeable batteries in?
You can use rechargeable batteries in absolutely any device where you would normally use an alkaline battery, unless stated otherwise by the device manufacturer. There are no interference implications using rechargeable battery brands that are different to the device brand.
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How should I dispose of batteries?
All batteries should be recycled. Batteries should not be disposed of with household waste but taken to battery collection points for recycling.
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Do all batteries last the same amount of time?
No, different batteries provide different lengths of life and power output, depending on the type and amount of chemicals used to compose them. Think of it like cooking a meal: Using different ingredients and amounts make the meal taste different.
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How does a battery work?
Batteries may seem simple, but the delivery of packaged power is a complicated electrochemical process. Electric current in the form of electrons begin to flow in the external circuit when the device—a light bulb for example—is turned on. At that time, the anode material, zinc, gives up two electrons per atom in a process called oxidation, leaving unstable zinc ions behind. After the electrons do their work powering the light bulb, they re-enter the cell at the cathode, where they combine with the active material, manganese dioxide, in a process called reduction. The combined processes of oxidation and reduction couldn’t occur in a power cell without an internal way to carry electrons back to the anode, balancing the external flow of current. This process is accomplished by the movement of negatively charged hydroxide ions present in the water solution called the electrolyte. Every electron entering the cathode reacts with the manganese dioxide to form MnOO-. Then, MnOO- reacts with water from the electrolyte. In that reaction, the water splits, releasing hydroxide ions into the electrolyte and hydrogen ions that combine with MnOO- to form MnOOH. The internal circuit is completed when the hydroxide ions produced in this reaction at the cathode flow to the anode in the form of ionic current. There, they combine with unstable zinc ions, which were formed at the anode when the electrons were originally given up to the external circuit. This produces zinc oxide and water. This completes the circuit (which is necessary to have a constant flow of electricity) and powers your flashlight.
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How can I get a better life out of my batteries?
Here are a few tips to help extend the life of your batteries.
- Turn off battery-operated radios and appliances when they’re not in use
- Remove batteries from devices that won’t be used for a while
- Store your batteries in a dry place at normal room temperature without the contacts touching
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Which battery type should I use in extreme temperatures?
If equipment must be used periodically in extreme temperatures, premium alkaline batteries are recommended because they perform much better than zinc carbon batteries under such conditions.
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Should I clean the battery compartment?
For best performance, keep battery contact surfaces and battery compartment contacts clean. Rub them with a clean pencil eraser or a clean cloth each time you replace batteries.
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When should I remove batteries from my device?
Batteries should be removed from devices/equipment when:
- The device is not expected to be in use for several months
- The batteries are worn out (to prevent possible damage from battery leakage)
- The device is being powered by household (AC) current
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Why use a rechargeable Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery?
Many of today’s high-drain devices like digital cameras require replacing your batteries more often than you’re used to-why not choose Duracell NiMH batteries? They can be recharged hundreds of times. The Duracell rechargeable AA battery is ideally suited for powering digital cameras and other devices that require a lot of power. Also available are AAA batteries, useful in small electronic devices such as MP3 players and handheld games. Duracell rechargeable NiMH batteries and chargers offer you the quality and dependability you’ve come to trust from Duracell, in a long-lasting, cost-effective power option.
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Can alkaline batteries be recharged?
Only batteries that are specifically labeled “rechargeable” should be recharged. Any attempt to recharge a non-rechargeable battery could result in rupture or leakage.
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Does it matter what type of batteries I use in my device?
Always replace the battery or batteries in your equipment with the size and type specified by the manufacturer. Alkaline batteries are often recommended for best performance because zinc carbon batteries have inferior life spans and equipment may not operate properly if zinc carbon batteries are used.
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What is the difference between lithium and alkaline?
Lithium and alkaline batteries employ different chemistries for maximum performance in different devices. Light in weight and compact, lithium batteries often come in distinctive sizes for use in specific devices.
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Which is the best alkaline battery for performance in the portfolio?
Duracell Optimum is the Most Powerful Duracell Alkaline battery ever across all devices.
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Do I have to change all the batteries at the same time?
We do recommend changing all batteries in a unit at the same time. A partially used battery will drain energy from a new one, reducing the total amount of battery power available.
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Can I mix old and new batteries?
Do not mix old and new batteries. Doing so will reduce overall performance and may cause battery leakage or rupture. We recommend replacing all batteries within a device.
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Can I mix different battery types?
No, different batteries are designed for different purposes. Mixing a lithium battery with an alkaline battery will not improve device performance. In fact, it will reduce performance and may even damage your device or cause battery leakage or rupture. As well, do not mix different battery brands within a device. Doing so will reduce overall performance and may also cause battery leakage or rupture. We recommend using the same type of batteries within a device.
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