Skydriller - were the new batteries NiMH rechargables?
I ask as most brands of these that I have used (Kodak, LLoydtron, etc are slightly smaller in diameter than ordinary duracells and therefore do rattle around a little. Wrap a post-it note around each battery and it cures the problem. They appear to be the same length so I can't imagine why they would lose thier connections though.
Mr. W