AA Batteries

[Merlin]

Ok so maybe I am just dumb but someone help me out here. I have Direct TV in two rooms. One has a DVR the other doesn't but they both use the same remote control units. They came with two Phillips long life AA bateries that are Zinc Carbon 1.5 V batteries. One of the two remotes started to mess up so I put two Rayovac 1.5V Alkaline AA batteries in it and ........they won't work BRAND NEW. I tried 2 Energizer 1.5V Alkaline batteries that had powered my Xbox 360 controller until the lights were circleing ( I save them to use in my sons flashlights since he leaves them on) and the remote worked to a fashion. From what I know the only difference between the different types of AA ( alkaline, zinc Carbon etc.) is the longevity of the battery. All 3 bateries have a listed output of 1.5V so why would one work fine only somewhat and the third not at all? I also tried a new store brand alkaline 1.5V and it didnt work at all either

[Alathald]

Did you install the batteries right way round? J/k

I've had many duds from rayovac in the past and no longer use them. Energizers on the other hand seem to last FOREVER. I've got 4 AAA Energizer e^2 in my scientific calculator (which I use relentlessly) and when it goes dead, I rearrange the order of the batteries and squeeze 2-4 more weeks out of them. I've heard that all batteries are "about the same" but I still prefer energizer just from experience. BTW, do the rayovacs work in anything else?

[DaIceMan]

Did you install the batteries right way round? J/k

I've had many duds from rayovac in the past and no longer use them. Energizers on the other hand seem to last FOREVER. I've got 4 AAA Energizer e^2 in my scientific calculator (which I use relentlessly) and when it goes dead, I rearrange the order of the batteries and squeeze 2-4 more weeks out of them. I've heard that all batteries are "about the same" but I still prefer energizer just from experience. BTW, do the rayovacs work in anything else?

batteries aren't "all" the same... last I knew, there were 3 different battery facilities in the US that produced car batteries. I'm sure there are that many or more that produce the smaller batteries such as these.

OP:... did you try smacking the remote with the non-working batteries in it? My DirecTV remote in the living room is a POS and even with brand new batteries, it sometimes doesn't work unless I smack it against my palm or something. I think perhaps this is due to the fact that it's been thrown from one side of the room to the other and missed it's target a few too many times.

[Merlin]

It looks like tha main problem is the + post on the cheaper batteries has a lower profile and thus was not making contact since the contact point is recesed into the plastic just a tad.

[skchick85]

I can tell you the difference only because I am having this problem now. The batteries from the DVR are zinc carbon. These are skinnier and longer than the lithium and regular AA batteries and will not work because they do not put out the same power as a zinc carbon battery.