CR2032 batteries without bitter/child deterent coating?

neeb

So Wahoo state clearly that you shouldn't use CR2032 batteries with a "bitter/child deterent coating" in the TICKR: https://support.wahoofitness.com/hc/en-us/articles/115000359464-I-m-Having-Trouble-with-My-TICKR-What-Can-I-Do-

My guess is that if this coating can be a problem for the TICKR it's probably not a good idea to use it in power meters either (or perhaps anything else..).

I tried to find CR2032s yesterday in several large supermarkets and they ALL now seem to have this coating, whatever the brand (Duracel, Energiser, etc). Also a search online shows that Panasonic (recommended previously by Wahoo) also now use this coating, as do Varta and other large brands.

It's possible to see batteries apparently without the coating (e.g. Panasonic) pictured for sale online, but it isn't stated that they lack the coating so my suspicion is that the picture is out-of-date and if you order you will be likely to receive the newer bitter-coated version anyway.

Anyone know a reliable source of non-coated CR2032s, ideally Panasonic or another good brand?

I've opened a support ticket with Wahoo about this but have yet to hear back.

photonic69

Maybe use IPA or lighter fluid to wipe the battery down before use? This is likely to remove any coating.

pblakeney

Last CR battery (Duracell) that I installed simply had a pull-off sticker on top.
Hardly child proof though.

Ben6899

Wahoo just don't like kids. Crack on.

neeb

Reply from Wahoo:

*****
Not all batteries will have this bitter coating:
https://www.google.com/search?q=CR2032&sxsrf=ALeKk02LHieH1qnx9WTIlSdXFBK3txG__Q:1629107302888&source=lnms&tbm=shop&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjPn9vQobXyAhWKYMAKHYQNArMQ_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1440&bih=789

It would be best to reach out to individual retailers to ensure the batteries you are looking to purchase don't have this coating. There are no specific retailers I am aware of at the moment.
*******

Looks like there are online places specialising in batteries (and offereing significant bulk discounts) - will ask them for advice.

N0bodyOfTheGoat

That's my quota of new info for today, never knew this bitter coating of batteries existed.

neeb

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neeb

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photonic69

Just got home and found a few coin cells to lick. All seemed pretty bland to me. Definitely not coated in anything except now my saliva and a good dose of stupidity

First.Aspect

Why would wahoo specify this?

By definition if the coating comes off when you lick it, it is soluble so might also be hygroscopic, or scrape off against the contacts. I can only think they don't warranty you against battery compartment damage. But I don't see why it would stop a device from functioning.

Isn't this just one of those "use only xxxxx lubricant" sort of things that we all routinely ignore?

N0bodyOfTheGoat

photonic69 said:

Just got home and found a few coin cells to lick. All seemed pretty bland to me. Definitely not coated in anything except now my saliva and a good dose of stupidity

Time to isolate with taste symptoms.

akh

I've just recently bought a pack of 12 Energizer ones off Amazon. I don't think they have the coating, but I have not licked them. No issue so far in my Garmin cadence sensor.

I don't think I'm allowed to link but if you search you should find them.

neeb

The coated ones generally have a little kiddie icon on the cells themsevles. Just been told by a large online battery retailer that their current stock (of Panasonic) is non-coated but that future stock will be the coated type. They say that they are supposed to work just as well.

neeb

First.Aspect said:

Why would wahoo specify this?

By definition if the coating comes off when you lick it, it is soluble so might also be hygroscopic, or scrape off against the contacts. I can only think they don't warranty you against battery compartment damage. But I don't see why it would stop a device from functioning.

Isn't this just one of those "use only xxxxx lubricant" sort of things that we all routinely ignore?

Dunno.. Unlike the lubricant thing / "only use our brand" nonsense, it wouldn't make much sense for Wahoo to be recommending this unless they thought there was a good reason, as it must create a lot of uncertainty around their products and some volume of customer support correspondence.

From my own PoV I'd just like to eliminate this element of ambuguity given the ongoing niggles these sorts of devices often have and problems diagnosing them.

akh

It's not just Wahoo, I read about this ages ago in a post by DC Rainmaker. Quarq power metres have issues with them too apparently.

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2020/11/tuesday-tidbits-quarq-bitter-battery-warning-coros-major-firmware-update-garmin-major-fr245-fr945-updates.html

Dorset_Boy

I was using Duracell ones in the Tickr and the Wahoo cadence sensor and they were draining within a week.
Replaced with Panasonic ones which I read didn't have the coating and normal battery life has resumed.
Did get a replacement Tickr and cadence sensor from Wahoo though as at that point I didn't know about the issue with the Duracell coatings, support didn't mention it, and the assumption was faulty units.

thistle_

Hmm, I had problems with a pair of new Duracell coin cells I bought for a set of scales not working, so I tried some older (but unused) ones and they worked fine.
I assumed it was just manufacturing tolerances which meant one pair didn't quite fit well enough to make contact.

dj58

OP, Try this company, the last pack of CR2032 I purchased did not have that coating applied. https://www.watchbattery.co.uk/shop/products/BB-2032.shtml

womack

Used to sell lots of 2032 (and others) batteries for car plips. Never seen one with a coating. Try a main dealer / motor factor.

simon_e

I have a 5-pack of GP CR2032s, no mention of a coating on these. Cheap, and good service over the years from this place:

https://gogreenbatteries.co.uk/gp-cr2032-3v-lithium-coin-cell-battery-5-pack/

neeb

Managed to get a batch of 50 Panasonic batteries without coating for a good price (and they're fine until 2030!). And in fact, I now realise that many of the brands that I thought had the coating in fact don't, but rather are labelled as having "child proof packaging" in a way that mimics the logos for the child deterrant bitter coating..

photonic69

I loved licking the terminals on a 9V PP3 battery when I was a kid. I liked the tingling, bitter sensation it caused.

Mad_Malx

photonic69 said:

I loved licking the terminals on a 9V PP3 battery when I was a kid. I liked the tingling, bitter sensation it caused.

It’s a slippery slope nic. Next thing you’ll be peeing on electric cattle fences (I know someone who tried this inadvertently).

navrig2

I'd give the coated versions a go before encouraging the continued sale of the non-coated batteries.

If a kid swallows one of these they are at severe risk of a very painful death.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-57553914

neeb

navrig2 said:

I'd give the coated versions a go before encouraging the continued sale of the non-coated batteries.

If a kid swallows one of these they are at severe risk of a very painful death.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-57553914

That's utterly horrific. Going to delete a couple of my more frivolous comments above..

simon_e

navrig2 said:

If a kid swallows one of these they are at severe risk of a very painful death.

Isn't the simple solution just to put them somewhere safe from small hands and not next to the biscuits?

I stopped buying Panasonic batteries some time ago after getting some duds (from reputable sellers) and finding others with a similar problem in online discussion.

neeb

simon_e said:

Isn't the simple solution just to put them somewhere safe from small hands and not next to the biscuits?

Problem I guess is that they can find them in things that will inevitably be lying around - TV remotes, etc.

Maybe the solution is childproof battery compartments on those things (instead of rubbish plastic clip-on covers that fall off).

pblakeney

I detest having to get a screwdriver out just to change batteries. Everybody has the own priorities. 😉

neeb

In a perfect world the covers would clip on, but also have an optional screw fitting for people with kids.

navrig2

simon_e said:

navrig2 said:

If a kid swallows one of these they are at severe risk of a very painful death.

Isn't the simple solution just to put them somewhere safe from small hands and not next to the biscuits?

I stopped buying Panasonic batteries some time ago after getting some duds (from reputable sellers) and finding others with a similar problem in online discussion.

I would do that too but if manufacturers can do something to (sort of) eliminate the issue then that's what we should be buying. Eliminate is the first step to risk/hazard avoidance.

There is also the issue of disposal. I doubt that a battery put in the recycling is totally flat and in a moist environment (like a body) it will still cause problems.

I leave my HRM hanging on the turbo........ (no kids in the house but?)