Uck.... Looks like the 3 days long battery drain zeroed the battery and possibly inverted their polarity as well. Remember to apply a touch of vaseline or similar lubricant onto the walls of the battery compartment, to prevent the fresh set from ever getting stuck inside. There is a specific JRDG bulletin, which states....
"placement Battery Installation
The replacement batteries for the Coherence and Coherence II preamplifiers are chosen specifically to fit into the holes cut into the preamplifier power supply chassis.
To install the batteries, please observe the following precautions:
Unplug the power supply from the AC outlet.
Disconnect the preamplifier from the power supply.
Using a cloth or paper towel, rub a light coating of Vaseline or petroleum jelly on the inner walls of the battery pockets of the power supply chassis. This will prevent the batteries from becoming stuck in the future if there is any sort of swelling or shape increase. Note: Do not place the petroleum jelly directly on the battery, as it may cause you to lose control of the battery and drop it during installation."
"placement Battery Installation
The replacement batteries for the Coherence and Coherence II preamplifiers are chosen specifically to fit into the holes cut into the preamplifier power supply chassis.
To install the batteries, please observe the following precautions:
Unplug the power supply from the AC outlet.
Disconnect the preamplifier from the power supply.
Using a cloth or paper towel, rub a light coating of Vaseline or petroleum jelly on the inner walls of the battery pockets of the power supply chassis. This will prevent the batteries from becoming stuck in the future if there is any sort of swelling or shape increase. Note: Do not place the petroleum jelly directly on the battery, as it may cause you to lose control of the battery and drop it during installation."