… while they were in your pants pocket?
Yesterday on our road trip I started feeling this burning sensation in my pocket … I thought at first it was the sun coming through the car window, but it kept getting warmer and warmer. Then I stuck my hand in my pocket (I think this is still legal in the hands-free era) and noticed all the coins in there were burning hot, then I noticed the extra pair of AA rechargeable batteries there was hottest of all.
Everything cooled down after I took it out of the pocket. The only explanation I could imagine was that somehow the coins had closed the circuit between the poles of the batteries. Guess I’m lucky they didn’t catch fire or explode… that would’ve been great fun on a curvy mountain road.
Anybody ever hear of something like this happening?
I haven’t had this happen, but the Energizer Bunny warns us against doing it:
http://www.energizer.com/products/alkaline-batteries/faq/Pages/faq9.aspx
I guess I’ll be careful not to carry batteries, steel wool and a flask of whiskey all in the same pocket… 🙂
Mungo
I had this exact thing happen many years ago, with just a regular AA I had put in my pocket for some reason. Ever since, whenever I pack loose batteries, I wrap them with masking tape to prevent accidental shorts.
You are right, it is a very startling experience to suddenly have a hot pocket.
Yup, you shorted them out. Ralph has it right..just put tape over an end. Also, take them out of your 2 way radios etc…even though they may be OFF, they still use current to retain the settings. I put mine in a baggie and load them when I need them.
Darn electrons!
Rick
http://www.hikehalfdome.com
I could imagine was that somehow the coins had closed the circuit between the poles of the batteries.
Once i was watching tv and reached for the remote to change Channel and the batteries were super hot and they burned me. may have been coz i took off the plastic cover (on the batteries not on the remote) tho =)