I couldn’t get Duracell “Child Secure” 2032’s to work [MERGED]

[JapanApple]

I have had no problem(s) with these batteries with the coating on the cells. In fact, I using them now. I used china types cheap and Japanese makers with the same coating.

From what I read you can remove the coating with a cloth until it comes off.

 

[kimjongbill]

Yes we all understand the reason behind it, we just think it’s a stupid idea not backed up by science.

Seriously if you have small children in the home batteries, medication, cleaning supplies, Tide pods, and the like should be kept away. I also understand children can be ‘crafty’, keep an eye on them.

Give me a choice. Same thing which prescription medication. Has child safe bottles actually saved a life ? What is the danger of swallowing a button cell ? Does coating it with bitters really help if I just shove it in and swallow ? Is this an inconvenient solution to a problem that doesn’t exist?

My kids are grown up, so there are no children in my home, yet if I get a prescription filled, the law requires a child safety cap. Imagine your 90 year old grandma trying to open her arthritis medication. Mine lived to be 98.

Don’t get me started on the shutters inside electrical outlets.

Sorry if this thread has been derailed, bit the bitters on the battery appear to be a ‘feel good’ solution to a problem that may not exist. Show me the data.

Button cell batteries will perforate the esophagus if you swallow them

 

[SB1500]

Not everyone's kids swallow batteries, you know.

(Some of them swallow magnets. lol)

Problem is, you don't even know if yours do or don't until they do.... then you tend to take it a bit more, seriously..

 

[Solomani]

While on vacation, I needed to replace the batteries in 2 of my airtags. I bought a set of batteries, took them back to the hotel, and was perplexed that I could not get either airtag to work with the new batteries. After retrying the old batteries, i concluded the batteries must have been old and depleted.

So I went to a little further towards civilization to a CVS. Two more batteries. Same result.

Some searching here, lead me to learn that some brands of coin cell batteries have a bitterant added to them that insulates the battery where the airtags make their connection. I went to check, and sure enough. There is a small ring of something on the outer edge of the negative side.

I’m now $30 in on these tourist priced batteries, so I am determined to find a way to make them work. I saw some mention sanding or scratching the coating off. I tried using some scissors to scrape along the edge, but no dice.

Then I realized, its most likely water soluble, right? You need to the bitterant to dissolve on the tongue to be effective. Sure enough, if you take a damp paper towel and rub the negative side for 15 seconds or so, it comes right off. Popped them into the airtags and they worked perfectly.

Hopefully this helps someone else.

When I first read your subject title about battery "bitterants".... I was secretly hoping this was about you LICKING the battery like the toddlers do (hence the reason for bitterants a a deterrent).

Boy I was sadly disappointed.

 

[katbel]

While on vacation, I needed to replace the batteries in 2 of my airtags. I bought a set of batteries, took them back to the hotel, and was perplexed that I could not get either airtag to work with the new batteries. After retrying the old batteries, i concluded the batteries must have been old and depleted.

So I went to a little further towards civilization to a CVS. Two more batteries. Same result.

Some searching here, lead me to learn that some brands of coin cell batteries have a bitterant added to them that insulates the battery where the airtags make their connection. I went to check, and sure enough. There is a small ring of something on the outer edge of the negative side.

I’m now $30 in on these tourist priced batteries, so I am determined to find a way to make them work. I saw some mention sanding or scratching the coating off. I tried using some scissors to scrape along the edge, but no dice.

Then I realized, its most likely water soluble, right? You need to the bitterant to dissolve on the tongue to be effective. Sure enough, if you take a damp paper towel and rub the negative side for 15 seconds or so, it comes right off. Popped them into the airtags and they worked perfectly.

Hopefully this helps someone else.

Thanks a lot! After trying with a new Duracell I thought I was going crazy . Then I found this
Instead of licking, you can also use your spit on a Kleenex and don't electrocute your tongue 😄 and it's instantaneous
Saliva has enzymes that work faster than water to dissolve the bitterant

 

[Christmas]

If you try to replace your AirTag battery with one of Duracell’s premium coated “Child Secure” 2032 batteries, good luck. Because I couldn’t get them to work. I tried 2 different batteries and neither would work. I popped the old battery back in and it immediately sprang to life. The old battery is just low, not dead yet.

Anyway, if it works for you, let me know. But I don’t think these AirTags like whatever coating is applied.

View attachment 2035583

I had the same problem. All I had to do is clean off the battery with rubbing alcohol. Then it worked. A friend of mine had a scales and we put a brand new battery in and it didn’t work. Then I cleaned off the battery with alcohol and put it back in and it worked.

 

[Lifeisabeach]

I wiped the batteries with fresh water and my fingers. Let it dry. After that: perfect.

Licking them could have worked also. 🤢🤣

 

[JamieLannister]

I got the Costco packs of these Duracell with these coatings. All you have to do is use isopropyl alcohol - the higher the concentration, the easier it is to remove. Spray it on the coin or drench it up well. Use a microfiber cloth and just wipe the cell thoroughly. I recently replaced two AirTags with two of these coated batteries and it didn't work and I thought the batteries were bad until I realize they are the coated type. So after wiping thoroughly with the alcohol it worked flawlessly.

 

[C7 POWER]

Right from Apple

How to replace the battery in your AirTag - Apple Support

You can replace the battery in your AirTag. Here's how.

support.apple.com

View attachment 2035642

Is everyone in here missing what was posted in this thread earlier? lol

 

[dlopan]

Stop buying duracell's. You can get these anywhere. I buy mine from harbor freight for a lot cheaper and yes they work fine

 

[mikedop]

Just lick the coating off. Worked for me.

 

[msackey]

Just lick the coating off. Worked for me.

Is the bitterant tasty?

 

[mikedop]

Is the bitterant tasty?

you wont believe this, but I find it to be a little bitter.

 

[msackey]

you wont believe this, but I find it to be a little bitter.

Well, that's ok. As an analogy grapefruit can be a little bitter, but it is a fruit of choice for many during exquisite brunches. Conclusion: you're in good company ;-)

 

[ccunning]

Hopefully this helps someone else.

One year after your post and you just saved me from trashing a 12 pack of Duracell batteries. I even reached out to Duracell customer support saying I got a bum pack and they sent me a $25 coupon for replacements (Sorry Duracell!)

 

[TokyoKiller]

Learned this after buying a 12 pack of Duracell batteries from Costco, they kept causing our AirTags to chime as the battery would go in and out. I lost it, returned all the batteries to Costco and ordered a pack of Energizer batteries instead with no coating on them. Worked like a charm.

Kinda silly to think a product's main purpose is being hindered by a "protective" feature because some people don't do a good job keeping dangerous things away from their children.

 

[KaliYoni]

a product's main purpose is being hindered by a "protective" feature because some people don't do a good job keeping dangerous things away from their children.

I blame Apple for this design flaw because the bitterant coating is not a new thing. Batteries with the coating "just work" in pretty much every other device and gadget. Apple did not have to use non-standard battery contacts...sadly, it's part of a long pattern of Apple choosing to redesign connectors and components and hurting usability.

 

[avalon68]

I blame Apple for this design flaw because the bitterant coating is not a new thing. Batteries with the coating "just work" in pretty much every other device and gadget. Apple did not have to use non-standard battery contacts...sadly, it's part of a long pattern of Apple choosing to redesign connectors and components and hurting usability.

They don't work in many devices though, so hardly just an apple issue. Thankfully some companies now seem to apply it as a removable sticker which can quickly be peeled off when inserting it, but keeps them bitter if they are just tossed in a drawer or something.

 

[EugW]

They don't work in many devices though, so hardly just an apple issue. Thankfully some companies now seem to apply it as a removable sticker which can quickly be peeled off when inserting it, but keeps them bitter if they are just tossed in a drawer or something.

The Duracells with the bitterant have worked in every other device I’ve tried them in.

 

[JapanApple]

The Duracells with the bitterant have worked in every other device I’ve tried them in.

I used bitterant types on all my devices that use these cells. Not only did they work. But it lasted as long as they should.

 

[MacDaddyPanda]

I had this problem too when I bought Energizer batteries for the airtags. I too discovered this bitterant thing. I ended up buying the same Panasonic batteries the airtags come with. Those worked as the original battery.

 

[conmee]

You think the battery bitterant is bad, try canned air. Bitterant really put a damper on my weekends.

 

[mw360]

Learned this after buying a 12 pack of Duracell batteries from Costco, they kept causing our AirTags to chime as the battery would go in and out. I lost it, returned all the batteries to Costco and ordered a pack of Energizer batteries instead with no coating on them. Worked like a charm.

Kinda silly to think a product's main purpose is being hindered by a "protective" feature because some people don't do a good job keeping dangerous things away from their children.

I must admit, since I've never had a baby die because battery acid corroded their internal organs, nor have I ever had to go back to Costco to return a $10 pack of batteries, it's hard to decide which scenario our society should work to prevent. How far is it to Costco?

 

[gonkai]

me 2

 

[JPack]

Duracell with updated packaging should work.