CR2032 batteries without bitter/child deterent coating?

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pictured for sale online, but it isn't stated that they lack the coating so my suspicion is that the picture is out-of-date and if you order you will be likely to receive the newer bitter-coated version anyway.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.

Comments

  • photonic69
    photonic69 Posts: 2,410
    Maybe use IPA or lighter fluid to wipe the battery down before use? This is likely to remove any coating.


    Sometimes. Maybe. Possibly.

  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 25,591
    Last CR battery (Duracell) that I installed simply had a pull-off sticker on top.
    Hardly child proof though.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • Ben6899
    Ben6899 Posts: 9,686
    Wahoo just don't like kids. Crack on.
    Ben

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  • neeb
    neeb Posts: 4,467
    edited August 2021
    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
    N0bodyOfTheGoat Posts: 5,834
    edited August 2021
    That's my quota of new info for today, never knew this bitter coating of batteries existed.
    ================
    2020 Voodoo Marasa
    2017 Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc 2016
    2016 Voodoo Wazoo
  • neeb
    neeb Posts: 4,467
    edited August 2021
    deleted
  • neeb
    neeb Posts: 4,467
    edited August 2021
    deleted
  • photonic69
    photonic69 Posts: 2,410
    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


    Sometimes. Maybe. Possibly.

  • First.Aspect
    First.Aspect Posts: 14,498
    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?
  • 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. ;)

    ================
    2020 Voodoo Marasa
    2017 Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc 2016
    2016 Voodoo Wazoo
  • akh
    akh Posts: 206
    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
    neeb Posts: 4,467
    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
    neeb Posts: 4,467

    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
    akh Posts: 206
    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
    Dorset_Boy Posts: 6,875
    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_
    thistle_ Posts: 7,121
    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
    dj58 Posts: 2,216
    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
    womack Posts: 566
    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
    simon_e Posts: 1,706
    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/
    Aspire not to have more, but to be more.
  • neeb
    neeb Posts: 4,467
    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
    photonic69 Posts: 2,410
    I loved licking the terminals on a 9V PP3 battery when I was a kid. I liked the tingling, bitter sensation it caused.


    Sometimes. Maybe. Possibly.

  • Mad_Malx
    Mad_Malx Posts: 4,993

    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
    navrig2 Posts: 1,833
    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
    neeb Posts: 4,467
    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
    simon_e Posts: 1,706
    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.
    Aspire not to have more, but to be more.
  • neeb
    neeb Posts: 4,467
    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
    pblakeney Posts: 25,591
    I detest having to get a screwdriver out just to change batteries. Everybody has the own priorities. 😉
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • neeb
    neeb Posts: 4,467
    In a perfect world the covers would clip on, but also have an optional screw fitting for people with kids.
  • navrig2
    navrig2 Posts: 1,833
    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?)