Frequently Asked Questions

Energizer® MAX® is the perfect alkaline battery when you need power that lasts—and performance you can count on. A flashlight to lead the way. A smoke detector to alert you. Or simply a radio to play your favorite song over and over. But if you’re using high-tech, high-drain electronics, you may want to use Energizer® High Tech Batteries.

Energizer® MAX® has a shelf life of up to seven years in the package.

Storing batteries in refrigerators or freezers is not required or recommended for batteries produced today. In fact, cold temperature storage can harm batteries. To maximize performance and shelf life, store batteries at normal room temperatures with moderate humidity levels.

There are several factors that impact battery run time. The most critical is the rate at which a device consumes power. A high-drain device like a digital camera will deplete a battery much faster than a low-drain device like a clock. Other factors affecting overall battery performance are environmental conditions, device usage patterns (continuous or intermittent) and battery size/chemistry.

It’s safe to drop them right in the household trash. In 1989, Energizer became the first company to remove all added mercury from alkaline batteries.

No. In the United States and many other countries, alkaline batteries are classified as common household waste. Great strides have been made to make alkaline batteries better for the environment and they’ve been manufactured free of added mercury since the mid 1990s. Classification details may vary and should be confirmed in each specific geographical location.

Mixing battery types in a device is not recommended and can significantly increase the potential for leakage and reduced performance. The biggest problem is an imbalance in available energy between the installed batteries. So always practice smart battery care and replace used batteries with new, fresh batteries of the same brand.

Batteries can be short-circuited by metal items such as coins, keys, paper clips, etc. A battery that experiences a short circuit can become very hot, increasing the potential for leakage and personal injury.

Typically, alkaline batteries will not leak under normal storage and usage conditions. However, the potential for leakage is significantly increased if batteries are subjected to charging, mixing of battery chemistries, mixing of fresh and used batteries, physical damage, extended exposure to high temperature or deep discharging. Alkaline battery leakage is extremely caustic and contact with bare skin should be avoided. In the event that battery leakage comes in contact with your skin, flush the area for 15 minutes with copious amounts of water.

Standard alkaline batteries are not designed to be recharged and should never be placed in any battery charger. Attempting to charge alkaline batteries will significantly increase the likelihood for leakage to occur. Rechargeable alkaline batteries made by other manufacturers may also leak if placed in a NiMH or NiCd charger and should only be recharged in a charger designed for that system.

Applicable guarantees can be found on the product packaging.

Mercury is a naturally occurring substance that aids battery conductivity and stabilizes internal materials. And even though mercury provides a positive internal benefits in hearing aid batteries, there is also a perceived negative environmental impact. While the technology has been in development since the 1990's and through continuous improvement we are now able to launch a zero mercury product that is similar to our performance of mercury containing product.

Zinc air batteries can and should be disposed of in your normal trash and not accumulated. Accumulating batteries can lead to risk of fire.

Yes – it is a good idea to open the battery door on your hearing aid when you are not using it. This stops battery drain and may allow air in to remove any moisture buildup.

To get maximum hearing aid battery life, keep batteries at room temperature. Heat can shorten hearing aid battery life and a damp location like the refrigerator is not recommended. Also, never carry loose batteries in your pocket or purse. Contact with metal items like keys or coins can short-circuit the battery.

Energizer® Hearing Aid batteries take about a minute to power up. That’s because that’s how long it takes for the outside air to penetrate the battery’s tiny air holes and mix with the battery’s zinc chemistry to power your hearing aid.

The most common battery sizes are 10, 13, 312 and 675. To make recognition easier, most manufacturers color code hearing aid batteries according to industry standards: 10—yellow 13—orange 312—brown 675—blue.

Zinc air hearing aid batteries use outside air as a source of power. The tab seals the zinc in the battery from exposure to air, ensuring freshness when purchased. After you remove the tab, the battery takes about a minute to charge fully and be ready for use. Do not remove the tab until you are ready to use the battery. Once the tab is pulled and the zinc is exposed to air, replacing the tab will not extend the battery life.

To get the best performance, keep moisture from clogging the air hole by opening the hearing aid compartment every night. Turning your hearing aid off when not in use can also help get the best hearing aid battery life possible.

Battery dimensions are standardized across all brands. All sizes are the same—just look for the color standard to find your battery size.

Hearing aid battery life is determined by length of use during the day, amplification and type of hearing aid. Consult your hearing care professional to determine length of hearing aid battery life.

The first flashlight was invented in the 1890's. Early in the flashlight's history, it was used as a novelty, a small light that could be attached to a man's tie or a woman's barrette—but it was necessary to carry a large battery pack to power the light.

As the flashlight developed, it became ideal for more conventional uses, and its size and shape evolved. Battery technology also improved—while battery power increased, battery size decreased, making the flashlight more portable and user-friendly.

Conrad Hubert is the inventor of the first flashlight. Hubert is also known as the founder of the Eveready Battery Company.

A lantern is used to cast light over a wider area than a flashlight and has three main characteristics differentiating it from a flashlight. A lantern:

1. Traditionally has a handle and is not tube-shaped.
2. Has a large head and large reflector.
3. Is powered by a lantern battery or four (4) D cell batteries

When the flashlight was first invented, battery power was still in its infancy and there wasn't a strong enough source to power the flashlight for a long period of time. Users pushed a button to literally “flash light” on the path in front of them, shining the light for just a moment. Hence, we have the name we use today—flashlight.

All shapes and sizes. Mini flashlights conveniently fit on your key chain or in your pocket. Penlights are aptly named since they are about the size of a ball point pen. Medium flashlights are easy to carry, fit in your hand and are perfect for everyday use or trick-or-treating. And large flashlights and lanterns are ideal for camping or providing light when you need to brighten up a large area.

A flashlight is powered by batteries—they create an electrical current that flows through metal contacts and brings electricity to the lamp (light bulb) in the flashlight. A thin wire in the light bulb contains the element "tungsten", which glows when in contact with electricity, producing a visible light. This light reflects off the reflector resting around the light bulb. For more information, visit our Learning Center.

Store your flashlight in a cool, dry place that is conveniently located and easy to reach in case of an emergency or power outage. Don't store your flashlight in direct sunlight.

LED stands for Light Emitting Diode. LEDs have several very positive characteristics such as they are virtually indestructible, are more efficient than traditional bulbs and never need replacing.

Keep the batteries in your flashlight when it's not in use—that way, you'll have a working flashlight when you need it. If you don't use your flashlight for a long period, turn the power switch on and off occasionally, just to make sure the flashlight is still working. It's also a good idea to change batteries periodically to prevent battery leakage if you don't use the flashlight for long periods.

You should also keep an unopened package of fresh Energizer® batteries where you store your flashlight. This way, you'll be sure to have a working flashlight and a backup set of batteries.

The batteries needed to power your flashlight can vary. Most flashlights for everyday use require two C or D cell batteries. Smaller flashlights can take four or more AA or AAA cells. Lantern lights typically take a single 6V battery. Look for markings on your flashlight or its packaging to determine the correct batteries.

If you use your flashlight frequently, change the batteries when the beam starts to go dim. If your flashlight is used just a few times a year, we recommend changing the batteries occasionally to prevent leakage due to aging. An alkaline battery has a 7-year shelf life and can be used for years when maintained properly.

Flashlights have multiple uses. First and foremost, they give you the power of portable light whenever and wherever you need it. Key uses are safety and security, general household use and outdoor camping.

Other flashlight uses include:

• Safety when walking in the dark
• During emergencies—searching in dark areas or in case of automotive breakdown
• Helping lead you out of the house in case of a home fire
• During a power outage
• Hiking through caves
• Lighting your way during trick-or-treating
• During a visit to the doctor—an eye doctor uses a special light to look into your eyes; a dentist uses a light to get a better look at your teeth; surgeons use special lights during surgery
• Lighting construction areas
• Searching through a garage, attic, or dark closet
• Shining light on hard-to-reach places when working on machinery, such as a car

In almost all flashlights, it is possible to replace the bulbs. Different flashlights require different size bulbs, and battery-powered lanterns typically require special bulb sizes.

Replacing your flashlight bulbs is a great way to extend the life of your light. It is a good idea to periodically replace your flashlight bulb, especially if your flashlight is mission-critical. Light Emitting Diodes (LED), however, never burn out and do not need replacing.

"Flashlight" is the common term in the United States, but many other countries refer to a flashlight as a "torch."

Be sure to find one that meets your needs. Most commonly, you'll want a flashlight that's reliable and durable—one that shines a bright beam, uses batteries efficiently and doesn't break easily.

Yes, NiMH batteries are shipped in a discharged state and need to be charged before use.

It is normal for batteries to become warm during the charge cycle. This is caused by the energy the charger is putting into the battery. In general, the shorter the charge time, the warmer the batteries will become.

Typically between 3 and 5 years if stored at room temperature. It is recommended that NiMH batteries stored in a charged state. To attain full capacity after extended storage may require a few charge/discharge cycles to obtain maximum performance.

No, non rechargeable batteries cannot be placed in any charger. Charging of non-rechargeable types may cause the batteries to explode or leak.

Energizer® chargers are designed and tested for optimal performance with Energizer® batteries. Therefore, it is recommended to use Energizer®NiMH batteries in Energizer® chargers.

For optimal performance, Energizer® NiMH Rechargeable batteries are designed for use with Energizer® chargers. If the charger is not properly designed, it could cause a loss of performance by the battery being overcharged, undercharging, or overheating.

Every battery chemical system has an open circuit voltage based on their internal active materials (fuel). For example, alkaline batteries have a voltage of approximately 1.5 volts due to the reaction between the anode and cathode materials. The reactions of the anode and cathode materials in NiMH batteries produce approximately 1.2 volts.

Rechargeable batteries can be recycled free of charge at any Rechargeable Battery Recycling location. To learn more, visit www.rbrc.org or call 1-800-8BATTERY.

This is a loss of battery capacity due to partially discharging and recharging repetitively without the benefit of a full discharge. This was evident with early nickel cadmium (NiCd) rechargeable batteries and is not found in nickel metal hydride batteries (NiMH) currently manufactured.

Both types of batteries are rechargeable but NiMH batteries have a higher energy density (ratio of energy to volume). NiMH batteries are also considered more environmentally friendly than NiCd batteries.

When not in use, nickel metal hydride batteries will lose 20% to 50% of their charge within six months due to self-discharge. Several factors such as cell size, construction and storage temperature can impact the self discharge rate. NiMH batteries that have not been used for an extended period of time should be recharged before being put into use to obtain maximum performance.

Smart chargers use microprocessor circuitry to monitor battery parameters such as temperature, voltage and state of charge. This information is used by the charger to determine when to terminate the charge.

This is a low rate charge used to replenish capacity lost due to self-discharge.

It is not recommended since the older NiCd chargers were not designed for the higher capacity NiMH batteries.

Please refer to the back of the charger or the wall plug adapter. If the charger is universal voltage, the input voltage will state 100-240 volts. Energizer® offers several universal voltage chargers. However, Energizer® does not recommend using chargers that are designed for US power (120 volts AC at 60 Hz) in foreign countries that have a different power supply. Using overseas voltage adapters can result in permanent damage to the charger or wall plug adapter.

We recommend that the chargers be unplugged from the wall outlet and the batteries be removed after the charging sequence is complete unless the charger has an on/off switch. This allows the charger to reset prior to the next usage

NiMH batteries are sensitive to continuous over charge. A smart charger monitors the cell condition during charge and prevents overcharging and subsequent negative impact on battery cycle life.

In normal use, NiMH batteries can be recharged hundreds of times. Many factors effect cycle life. Some of these factors include depth of discharge, charge and discharge current, method of charge control, storage and operating conditions and shelf life. Typically batteries with a higher mAh capacity will have a lower cycle life than lower mAh capacity batteries.

Refer to the charger instructions. Some chargers will only charge pairs of batteries at a time (2 or 4). If one or three batteries are installed in these chargers, the single battery (not in a pair) will receive no charge.

No, it is recommend that batteries of different capacities not be mixed together. Mixing batteries of different capacities can result in lower than expected performance and reduce cycle life of the lower capacity battery.

Consider the following when selecting the NiMH charger that best fits your needs. You can also review the charger handbook for additional information and performance. Your personal needs: i.e. a charger perfect for traveling; a charger for home use only; a charger that can charge all battery sizes, AA/AAA/C/D/9V

What battery capacity (mAh) is best used for this particular charger

Special charger features: Charge time / Charge status indicators / Warranty / Dual voltage / Compact design / Fold-out plug versus external adapter cable / On-Off switch / Car adapter / Compliment of batteries charged.

Due to their flat discharge profile and recharge ability, it is difficult to define a simple quality check for NiCd or NiMH batteries. For fully charged batteries, a battery tester which measures closed circuit voltage can be used as a general guide to determine if the battery is “good” or “defective”. A voltmeter which measures open circuit voltage is not a reliable method for evaluating rechargeable batteries and is not recommended for this purpose. The most accurate way to measure the performance of rechargeable batteries is to monitor time and operating voltage during controlled discharge.

During charging, the battery will reach a peak voltage near the end of a charge, followed by a slight drop in voltage. Smart chargers are able to detect this voltage drop (-delta V), which will typically range from 5mV to 20mV. Smart chargers stop the charging process when they detect the drop in voltage. Some chargers simply use a timer to control the charge. However, if a fully charged battery is put back in, the timer can reset and give the battery another full charge, resulting in overcharge. Some high-end chargers have back up timers in case the -dV (-delta V) does not work.

Capacity is how much charge a battery can hold often measured in units of mAh. An industry standard test procedure for determining rechargeable battery capacity is used by Energizer®. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) procedure is as follows: Step 1 discharge new cells at 0.2 C to 1 volt. Step 2 Charge cells at 0.1 C for 16 hours. Step 3 rest cells for 1 hour. Step 4 discharge cells at 0.2 C to 1 volt. Battery capacity is determined by the hours of service to 1 volt times the discharge rate (mA x hours = mAh).

Energizer has a long history of environmental stewardship and continual product improvement. Since inventing the alkaline battery more than 50 years ago, we have refined the engineering process to increase battery life for Energizer® MAX®, providing three times the power, versus ordinary carbon zinc batteries(results vary by dOperational Improvementsevice). With the introduction of Lithium batteries in 1989 and continual improvements since, Energizer offers the World's longest lasting AA and AAA batteries in high tech devices, that provides up to eight times the power of Energizer Max in digital cameras (results vary by device). And our scientists are looking ahead to emerging power sources to develop products that offer even more alternatives to power your life.

Products

• Energizer was the first to make alkaline batteries with no added mercury
• The first to harness the power of lithium in AA and AAA cells creating the world's longest-lasting AA and AAA batteries in high tech devices.
• The No. 1 brand in rechargeable products that can be reused hundreds of times
• Energizer brings energy efficient LED and lithium technology to the portable lighting category

Operational Improvements
Through our manufacturing process, we are committed to reducing total energy use and greenhouse gasses. We have also set an ambitious goal to reduce waste and waste use. We are already well on our way to achieving all these goals.

Science as a Foundation for the Future
In 2007, Energizer commissioned a life cycle assessment (LCA) to investigate opportunities to reduce battery impact throughout the life cycle, from raw materials to disposal. Looking ahead, life cycle assessments will be key to ensuring our sustainability efforts are making a positive change.

In addition, we are actively developing and incorporating Design for Sustainability tools into the product development process. Design for Sustainability proactively addresses environmental, social, and economic considerations at the earliest stages of the product development process. The goal is to minimize negative environmental impacts throughout the product life cycle by designing products that minimize energy consumption and waste generation, increase utilization of high recovery materials, and use "design for disassembly" principles to enhance recyclability.

Energizer commissioned a life cycle assessment (LCA) in 2007 to determine the environmental impact of household batteries considering each step in its life cycle from raw materials to disposal. A key finding of the assessment was that the relative impact of batteries on the environment, regardless of which type, is very low in comparison to other daily activities. Over a five-year period, total impact will vary depending on the application and battery type but will typically be less than driving five miles in a car over the same time period.

Additionally, the majority of the impact comes from the extraction of raw materials and production of the products. Therefore, Energizer is continuing to educate consumers on selecting the right battery for their device and frequency of use, which will minimize the number of batteries used and reduce the impact on the environment.

Based on Energizer’s Life Cycle Assessment, when used in low, moderate and high drain electronic devices, no single battery type has the lowest impact on the environment across a wide range of environment impact categories. Each of the five battery chemistries offers environmental benefits and shortcomings. The best environmental option is to pick the right battery for the right device thereby reducing the number of batteries used. To help consumers make better environmental decisions when using portable devices, Energizer will continue to educate consumers on the benefits of using the right battery in the right devices.

It depends on the application and your device needs. While they can be recharged, NiMH rechargeable batteries have their environmental benefits and shortcomings. It is important to remember that rechargeable batteries require a charger, so the environmental impact and energy costs incurred producing their associated charger should also be considered.

Since the major brands of household batteries no longer contain any added heavy metals, there is no longer a concern of leaching.

Battery recovery is an important topic as our industry looks to minimize waste in landfills. With current technology, however, recycled battery material cannot be reused to make new batteries and has limited value in the production of other products. Historically, the amount of energy to transport and process batteries used more natural resources than disposal in a landfill.

Our Lithium batteries are a safe consumer product and, under standard temperature and pressure conditions, will not cause fire through friction, absorption of moisture or spontaneous chemical changes. When flying, it’s a good idea to check your country’s department of transportation or your airport’s website for specific guidelines.

Energizer® Ultimate Lithium batteries provide exceptional life in digital cameras taking up to 680 shots in digital still cameras. They're lightweight and operate well in extreme temperatures. They are the world's longest lasting AA and AAA 1.5 volt cells in high-tech devices.

Battery chemistry and construction differ in the two systems. Energizer® Ultimate Lithium batteries are built in a spirally wound construction. This design helps the battery meet the high current drains of many of today's devices.

Since lithium is a very active material, it releases a great deal of power relative to the amount of material used.

Energizer® Ultimate Lithium batteries work well in a wide range of temperatures, from -40°F to 140°F (-40ºC to 60 ºC).

Yes. Much of the concern with the environment centers on heavy metals. Lithium is the lightest metal known.

No. You should never mix different battery chemistries. Different battery chemistries discharge differently in a device, which could potentially lead to premature battery failure of the lower capacity battery.

Nikon
Perfect for extended travels or for capturing a big event, the Nikon® COOLPIX® L14 keeps on shooting without battery worries. You'll get approximately 1,000 shots per pair of Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA batteries (batteries included).
* Approximately 1,000 shots with supplied Energizer® Ultimate Lithium AA-size batteries, 400 shots with alkaline AA-size batteries. Best performance in 3x zoom compact class as of August 2006.

Bushnell
More power to explore the outdoors. Only Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries let you explore up to 7 hours longer* with your Bushnell® ONIX200 GPS unit. Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries offer great advantages with performance in extreme temperatures.
*vs. Energizer® MAX® in normal use mode. Results vary with use.

Motorola
Want more than 30 hours of talk time from your Motorola Wireless Headset H300? Get up to 10 extra hours* with an Energizer Ultimate Lithium battery.
*Compared to the Energizer® MAX® AAA alkaline battery shipped with the H300 headset.

Lego
Press the boundaries of YOUR mind. “Create” up to 3.5 hours longer* with your LEGO® Mindstorms® NXT with the power of Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries.
*vs. Energizer® MAX® with continuous play. AA only. Results vary by design and programming.