Dead Batteries - why?

[rhino]

hello friends.  I have some dead battery issues I'm trying to figure out.  On more then one occasion, my batteries die (AA Lithium Energizer)in my GPS. I go into my bag and pull out new batteries and they are dead also. I'm storing my spare batteries wrapped (2) side x side in plastic wrap, and stored all together in a ziplock bag.  I don't seem to have an issue with Lithium AAA or CR123A, that I'm aware of. It seems to be only occurring with AA Lithium.

Has anyone else experienced this issue?  I know batteries will discharge if they touch one another or other metal objects, so I wrap them good.  Is the shaking and vibration of the bike killing the batteries?  Bad luck?  Bad batch of batteries?  Arizona heat killing them? 

(interim solution...carry more batteries, and/or replace the spares with brand new batteries before each long ride)

[evdog]

I've had issues before too, though not complete dead batteries.  Interestingly, it only seems to happen while bikepacking - and to my recollection, only in Arizona.  For many years I've used the regular Energizer rechargeables with a quick charger.  They'll usually last for 8 hours ride time in my GPS (Garmin oregon).  Occasionally I'll have to throw in a second set late in the day. 

On some bikepack trips I've had them last only 3-4 hours from a full charge.  Then the handful of new duracells I brought to get me through the other days would run down quickly too.  I'd buy more at a resupply and find they would show 50% power when I put them in - not a surprise since they could have sat around forever, but I can't explain the rechargeables or new duracells.  Maybe they don't work well cold-ish temps? I don't wrap them, but I never have and aside from these trips I never have an issue. 

So for a weeklong trip in BC I was paranoid about battery life and bought a 16 pack of the Energizer lithiums.  Go figure, two pairs lasted me the full seven days.... The only issue I have with the lithiums is they show 100% power until the low battery warning comes on, then you've got about a minute to swap them out.  Could it be the ones that went dead were old?  I don't know how long they would last sitting around....

I recently bought a USB AA charger on amazon (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071GNGBWB/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1).  An a couple rides the batteries have had good life so far.  For bikepacking I'll charge them off a cache battery that gets charged off my dynamo.  Will likely buy another set of batteries until I get a good feel for how long it takes to charge and discharge. 

[chrisx]

Are you using rechargeable batteries?
Are there any magnetic items in the same bag?  That could deplete your charged batteries.
I have seen scam artists repackage used batteries and sell them as new.

Rechargeable batteries are cheaper in the long run, and you know if you charged them properly.

[rhino]

Are you using rechargeable batteries?
Are there any magnetic items in the same bag?  That could deplete your charged batteries.
I have seen scam artists repackage used batteries and sell them as new.

Rechargeable batteries are cheaper in the long run, and you know if you charged them properly.

Non-rechargeable
No magnetic (metal) objects in bag, only batteries.
All batteries wrapped in plastic cling wrap and placed inside ziplock.
Batteries are from 1st world country (Sam's Club, United States) and are not scam repackaged ebay batteries.

Going to buy a good battery tester/volt meter to start testing and documenting the battery capacity. 
I don't seem to have ANY issues with batteries coming directly out of the pack, but with the spare batteries I put in my frame bag.

Question - Is 1-2 layers of plastic cling wrap enough to protect the battery terminals from shorting out?  (assume the batteries are not wearing holes in the plastic wrap, which appear to be clean and worn free when removed from the pack).

[rhino]

By saying "magnetic" we mean metal?  Any metal?

Really?

There is NO metal inside the battery zip lock bags.  Inside the frame bag pocket there is a small luggage lock, but that seems to be coated in plastic, the lock housing may have some metal.  I do also have a faucet wrench floating in the very bottom.  None of these metal objects make contact with the batteries directly.  Unsure of the conduciveness through the plastic bag and plastic cling wrap on each battery. I hope it's just bad luck timing, and doesn't happen again.