A little caution about camera button batteries for the analogue cameras

[AnakChan]

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Just want to add a little caution about the button batteries for the electronically metered analogue cameras. I usually store my batteries separately from my Leica M7 when not in use. It seems the M7 can drain the batteries even during storage. Anyhow back in Dec '24 I packed up my M7 and the batteries in the dry box. I put the LR44s into a small plastic container.

Today, in preparing for an overseas business trip, I was sorting out my Leicas in the dry box and I found that one of the LR44s exploded - big enough to punch a hole in the little plastic container and it left debris inside the dry box. As I had been quite a bit of overseas travelling in Jan and now, I don't know when that happened but I was quite lucky. The dry box sits in a carpeted room.

Had there been anything flammable in the dry box or the batteries had been left outside on the carpet, this could have started a fire in the house - coupled with a very hot summer Australia has had this season.

Anyhow, it's not only the rechargeable lithiums that one has to worry about, these button batteries could be a worry too.

P.S. Leica M7 is safe

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[Matlock]

1 hour ago, AnakChan said:

Just want to add a little caution about the button batteries for the electronically metered analogue cameras. I usually store my batteries separately from my Leica M7 when not in use. It seems the M7 can drain the batteries even during storage. Anyhow back in Dec '24 I packed up my M7 and the batteries in the dry box. I put the LR44s into a small plastic container.

Today, in preparing for an overseas business trip, I was sorting out my Leicas in the dry box and I found that one of the LR44s exploded - big enough to punch a hole in the little plastic container and it left debris inside the dry box. As I had been quite a bit of overseas travelling in Jan and now, I don't know when that happened but I was quite lucky. The dry box sits in a carpeted room.

Had there been anything flammable in the dry box or the batteries had been left outside on the carpet, this could have started a fire in the house - coupled with a very hot summer Australia has had this season.

Anyhow, it's not only the rechargeable lithiums that one has to worry about, these button batteries could be a worry too.

P.S. Leica M7 is safe

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Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Never use LR44 (Alkaline) batteries in your camera. Go for SR44 (Silver) or, better still, DL1/3N (Lithium. 

[PetPhoto]

its hard to find the lithium. 

 

The SR44 are a good item. Demand is going up as the LR44 is apparently out of production now with energizer or duracell. 

 

 

[250swb]

9 minutes ago, PetPhoto said:

its hard to find the lithium. 

 

The SR44 are a good item. Demand is going up as the LR44 is apparently out of production now with energizer or duracell. 

 

 

It would be a good idea to produce a link for this because Duracell are still selling LR44 battery's.

https://www.duracell.co.uk/product/alkaline-lr44-batteries/

[TomB_tx]

Remember, unlike the M6 & etc models, the M7 uses TWO  DL1/3N (or CR1/3N) Lithium batteries, and the manual says use  this type. If you tried to use SR44 it would take 4 of them, and inserting them would be tricky as the stacks fit side-by-side. The manual mentions only the 1/3 N batteries. 

[PetPhoto]

how does tthe lithium 1/3n being a 3 volt lithium, replace a single 1.5 volt SR44 or LR44 battery?

 

It was in the last 2 years.  I havent kept up much on it. But it was the reason i swapped to using SR44 in my cameras, and the big silver oxides for my maimya.  that duracell or energizer had shout down the production of the LR44 alkalines..  

 

 

[TomB_tx]

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The 1/3N is twice the thickness of an SR44, so one 1/3N replaces 2 SR44. The M7 takes 2 1/3N side-by-side - not end-to-end like SR44 are used..

[davidmknoble]

11 hours ago, TomB_tx said:

The 1/3N is twice the thickness of an SR44, so one 1/3N replaces 2 SR44. The M7 takes 2 1/3N side-by-side - not end-to-end like SR44 are used..

Tom, we might be mixing words, but the M7 stacks the batteries one on top of the other, sliding one up into the body and then putting the other underneath. It is stacked, but laying down.  That is different from the MP where the smaller batteries are stacked, but going into the body.  

Is that what you meant?

[TomB_tx]

David - Thanks, you are right. The M7 slides one up before inserting the second 1/3N. I was wrong, and was thinking of another gadget where they sit side-by-side. My memory isn't what it used to be... and never was.

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[AnakChan]

19 hours ago, TomB_tx said:

Remember, unlike the M6 & etc models, the M7 uses TWO  DL1/3N (or CR1/3N) Lithium batteries, and the manual says use  this type. If you tried to use SR44 it would take 4 of them, and inserting them would be tricky as the stacks fit side-by-side. The manual mentions only the 1/3 N batteries. 

Cheers. Yes, I’ve had my M7 since 2001 & I’ve only used 1/3 batteries with it in all its life; which is why I was a little surprised that when I sent it into Leica service it came back with 4x LR44s in it (I did send it in empty though). That was my first time I realised it could take LR44’s (SR44’s).

 

But as per the pix, be careful with the LR44s as they can explode which surprised me as I’ve never had a button battery explode on me in 40 yrs of my battery use.

 

Also about the 1/3, my understanding is that if you get the +/-ve mixed up, it could fry the M7 electronics. Sounds like there’s no reverse polarity safety in the M7. I’ve only read about this & not about to test this out.

[250swb]

@AnakChan I don't know how you are supposed to 'be careful' with LR44, other than maybe reduce risk by buying a well known brand from a reputable source, because you have to use them or not use the camera. Lithium SR44 batteries are more likely to explode according to the sort of statistics that deal in miniscule risk, but the reason to use them is a more stable voltage over the full life of the battery. So for safety the LR44 is the one to go with anyway if worried. Exploding batteries is something that can clearly happen, but explosions can happen with charging units for re-chargeable batteries, and most people have more of those around the house than LR44 (or SR44) batteries. But whether LR44 or SR44 branded batteries are generally safe and we only hear about the few that do explode and not the billions that reliably supply power and die a normal death.

[AnakChan]

3 hours ago, 250swb said:

@AnakChan I don't know how you are supposed to 'be careful' with LR44,, …[snip]…

Fire retardant lithium storage bags. I ordered some from Amazon. They’re about USD$10 for the small sized ones perfect for small button batteries.

[250swb]

59 minutes ago, AnakChan said:

Fire retardant lithium storage bags. I ordered some from Amazon. They’re about USD$10 for the small sized ones perfect for small button batteries.

Fire retardant is not fire proof, but you can buy spray's of DIY fire retardant so you could spray your camera bag, but if they explode while you are using the camera you should spray your shirt and trousers as well, if the camera is up to your eye spray your hair and hat. I guess sensibly a fire retardant safari suit or photo vest and matching balaclava should be in every photographers wardrobe, but oddly nobody has thought to make one despite the danger. Also always walk near a river so you can jump in if your watch, hearing aid, calculator, key fob, or pacemaker explodes.

But I guess new SR44's aren't supplied in fire retardant bags for a good reason.

[jaapv]

The new fashion for photographers

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[Fotoklaus]

LR44 are alkaline batteries which tend to leak, SR44 are Silver oxide batteries which are also commonly used in watches for a good reason.

And not only the stable voltage output.

They can "sweat" a little bit when the get really old (10-15 years) but i never saw one really leaking, swelling ore even exploded.

 Cheap alkaline batteries i had some which where completely leaked and had destroyed devices.

if possible I use lithium cells which are not tend to leak anyway.

[AnakChan]

52 minutes ago, 250swb said:

Fire retardant is not fire proof, but you can buy spray's of DIY fire retardant so you could spray your camera bag

…snip…

But I guess new SR44's aren't supplied in fire retardant bags for a good reason.

So w.r.t. my response to your question of “not knowing how”, are you saying a fire retardant bag is useless for battery storage?

Why would I spray fire retardant in my bag? Per my post, the battery exploded in my dry box. That’s where I store my gear.

LR44s don’t come in a fire retardant bag either!

P.S. note I have not commented anything about SR44’s. And my thread is merely a cautionary.