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 Replies: 22 / Views: 2,611 |
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Valued Member
United States
307 Posts |
Some coin I have started toning and spotting within a 6 month period. The only change was they were moved to a new safe. This safe has a digital combination powered by 2AA batteries. Could the batteries caused this to happen  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
No more than the light switches in your home. If those little batteries could cause an electrical current in the safe, they would go dead in no time. Until needed most battery operated devices do not utilize electrical currents of any kind or the batteries would be dead in no time. Think of it as if you put batteries in a kids toy. Many of them come from the factory with cheap batteries in them and they last for months or even years unless someone presses the test buttons. If those batteries could do that, imagine what all the light switches, electrical outlets, wires in your walls could do to you and your coins. Or maybe they already are doing that to all of us.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3592 Posts |
Are the batteries leaking ? They can do that and emit gases...but other things could be the lining of the safe itself.And do you have a dehumifier inside as they are recommended ?
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Pillar of the Community
Mexico
1304 Posts |
I'll ditto that.
The acid in the batteries COULD be the cause of the problem.
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Rest in Peace
 United States
1380 Posts |
If the safe has any kind of lining / padding, a much more likely culprit is the glue used to hold it in place.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
Are the batteries leaking ? They can do that and emit gases...but other things could be the lining of the safe itself.And do you have a dehumifier inside as they are recommended ? If the batteries are leaking, they are dead and the system they are intended for will no longer function. A digital combination would not work well with dead batteries. Also, the chances of the battery holder being in an area in the safe where such gasses would get to the coins and only a few coins and nothing else. Just how much of those gasses do you think are emitted? |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
672 Posts |
I have my stuff in a battery powered safe for years, no issues.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
Glued felt linings, wood shelves, humidity, fire retardant materials, and oils to protect the metal surface of the safe could all cause toning. I think the batteries are the least of your worries.
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Valued Member
 United States
307 Posts |
Well the shelves are painted steel. There is felt padding on the base but not glued can be removed. The batteries are new. I am just searching hoping to isolate the problem. I have never had this type of problem before.
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Moderator
 United States
188342 Posts |
Quote:
Glued felt linings, wood shelves, humidity, fire retardant materials, and oils to protect the metal surface of the safe could all cause toning. I think the batteries are the least of your worries.  My first thought is the insulation between the inside and outside walls. Most are designed to humidify the air as it heats up (more heat, more humidity). A modest humidifying affect can be present at room temperatures, although if should not be an issue if you use a desiccant (e.g., silica gel packs). |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Toning on coins is usually due to a chemical reacting with the silver or copper at the coin's surface. Sulfur compounds are a major culprit, and there might be a source within the safe. I would enclose all your coins within smaller airtight containers with silica gel packs. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3592 Posts |
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If the batteries are leaking, they are dead and the system they are intended for will no longer function I wish that were true justcarl...but I just had it happen in my mini maglight...it was weak, but still working and when I tried to replace the batteries, the corrosion from leaking had them stuck pretty tight. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
9104 Posts |
What idiot manufacturer would put the batteries inside the safe, so that the default would be when the batteries go dead, the safe unlocks (or worse, you have to break into the locked safe to replace the batteries)? On the outside, even if they leak, I can't see them damaging contents.
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Valued Member
United States
307 Posts |
They have a master key that over rides the electronics. I thought I might just use this option if the batteries are the source of my problem.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
I wish that were true justcarl...but I just had it happen in my mini maglight...it was weak, but still working and when I tried to replace the batteries, the corrosion from leaking had them stuck pretty tight.
However, the space your discussing on the inside of a flashlight is reather confined. And although a battery was leaking, the flashlight still worked. And just how much gasses did you think were being emitted by that battery. Did it tone all the metal in the area?  Quote:
I have my stuff in a battery powered safe for years, no issues. And your probably one in millions that too have no problems. Most people forget that every time they open a safe, all the air in that safe pours out and is replaced with new air. Some of that new air could be the culprit in that toning. A sort of cure for this would be to stuff that safe with as much stuff as possible so very little air is replaced. This is sort of the same thing with a refrigerator and freezers. You open the door and all the cold air FALLS out. It is heavier than normal air so FALLS out. It is reaplaced with new, warm air that must be cooled so the machine runs and runs and runs. A full refrigerator is more efficient than an empty one. Might be your problem with your safe. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
9104 Posts |
Modern freezers vacuum seal for this reason. You can hear the air being sucked out when you close the door, and it will be very hard to open the door until it finishes removing excess warm air.
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Replies: 22 / Views: 2,611 |
Posted 02/23/2011 12:03 pm
