Clock Batteries

[barry1010]

My kitchen clock uses batteries but loses time very quickly. I use rechargeable batteries.
It used to keep very good time. As i don't really understand batteries could replacing the batteries with good quality alkaline batteries solve the problem or is it the clock itself?

[William51]

Try putting Duracell alkaline batteries in it, they last a long time.

[wiltsman]

I would not use rechargeable batteries in a clock. I understand a clock, being low drain, cheap batteries from somewhere like Lidl would be ideal. I mention Lidl as their batteries were recently recommended by Which?

[Hymie]

I’ve suffered this problem on more than one battery powered quartz clock.

Normally the clocks will work with the battery voltages dropping to as low 0.8V, but those exhibiting the problem fail to keep time once the battery voltage drops to less than 1.3V.

Your situation is made worse by the fact that rechargeable batteries are nominally 1.2V versus 1.5V for a zinc/carbon, alkaline.

So you either have to keep replacing the battery, or get rid of the clock.

[gingejbee]

I'd never use rechargeables in a clock...the clock uses so little power that the battery is self-discharging way quicker than the clock is using any juice. Rechargeables only make sense in medium/high-drain situations.

[barry1010]

Thanks all, I will buy some alkaline.

[retrocop]

Barry
That’s the way to go. I used to use new rechargables in my ear defenders. When I switched them on after one months inactivity they had discharged whereas the cheaper batteries lasted a year.

[barry1010]

Thanks again, as I no longer have anything that is a heavy drain on batteries I will ditch the rechargeables altogether.