When is a 3 volt battery flat?

[Ingwe]

I have a remote control that uses a flat round 3volt battery. The remote didn’t work this afternoon. The battery has been the remote for at least 10 years but reads 12.9volts on the meter. This suggests to me that the battery isn’t flat. Is it?

 

[dunnah01]

If it reads 12.9volts on your meter your battery is probaly OK but your meter is fu...

 

[Ingwe]

I have a remote control that uses a flat round 3volt battery. The remote didn’t work this afternoon. The battery has been the remote for at least 10 years but reads 12.9volts on the meter. This suggests to me that the battery isn’t flat. Is it?

Oops 2.9 volts! Fat fingers!

 

[dunnah01]

Oops 2.9 volts! Fat fingers!

I've measured a few CR2032 CMOS batteries in days gone by and most seem defunct below about 3.0v so it sounds like yours need to be replaced

 

[Spriddler]

After 10years of use it's worth checking that the contacts in the remote are clean.
Easiest to try a new one. A fiver for two in my Tesco.

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[Ingwe]

After 10years of use it's worth checking that the contacts in the remote are clean.
Easiest to try a new one. A fiver for two in my Tesco.

This is not a TV remote where universal remotes are available. It is for an external awning.

 

[Two on Tour]

I use several Sonoff Zigbee wireless devices and I have found that the CR2032's have given up the ghost at 2.9 volts.

 

[pappajohn]

This is not a TV remote where universal remotes are available. It is for an external awning.

I don't think Spriddler meant try a new remote.....try a new battery.
If that doesn't work either the remote or awning is foooked.

 

[Spriddler]

This is not a TV remote where universal remotes are available. It is for an external awning.

I meant a new cell, not a new remote.
You'd probably be surprised at the extent to which the inside of all types of remotes becomes grubby/greasy. However, if it's showing 2.9v I'd say the cell is possibly O.K. but fitting a new one would provide simple and inexpensive proof.

 

[Ingwe]

I don't think Spriddler meant try a new remote.....try a new battery.
If that doesn't work either the remote or awning is foooked.

I understand. Thanks Spriddler

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[Lenny HB]

They are Lithium so the voltage is fairly stable for their life.
New the off load voltage is normally around 3.3v, I bin them at 3v.

 

[Spriddler]

I understand. Thanks Spriddler

Just to add a bit of context.......
For 14 yrs I was in technical development roles with Duracell Batteries, latterly Director of Technical Marketing - Europe, also responsible for establishing their customer service dep'ts in 5 European subsidiaries, which became well versed in enquiries ranging from battery life and complaints about leakage (after mixing batteries) and inspecting many hundreds of bits of domestic equipment (remotes, cameras, calculators, shavers, torches etc.) with poorly designed battery compartments/contacts, right through to placating panicking parents whose toddlers had swallowed one.

 

[Ingwe]

right through to placating panicking parents whose toddlers had swallowed one.

I’ve heard horrific tales of toddlers swallowing these little batteries. Having a two year old grandson, I was worried. How do you placate a parent who’s child has swallowed a battery?