So the general consensus, it seems, is that leaving non-lithium batteries in a device for any appreciable length of time is a recipe for trouble. As I mentioned earlier, on the devices that I do leave batteries in, I’m instituting a periodic inspection schedule to make sure things don’t spiral out of control.
But, really, the solution is to not have batteries in the device until such time as that device is needed. Makes sense, right? The problem is that anytime you have two items that need to be combined together to be effective, and you keep those two items separate from each other, you introduce a potential point of failure. The very easy example is keeping a loaded magazine separate from the gun.
So, to my way of thinking, the solution is to keep the batteries separate from the device to avoid damage, but near enough to the device as to be available for immediate use. So, with that in mind….
What we have here are, essentially, shotgun-shell holders for batteries. Here’s the link to the manufacturers information, and, of course, I just snagged ’em offa Amazon:
The shotgun shell analogy is pretty accurate. There are two tabs, such as youd fend at the end of a magazine tube, that hold the batteries in place. They’re quite secure. The more astute of you will notice that this thing doesn’t provide any environmental protection…that is true. But what it does do is give you a secure storage for batteries that can be lanyarded to your device of choice.
You could argue, I suppose, that you simply keep the lantern and the batteries in the same box in storage and that obviates the need for this sort of thing. True, but preparedness is about removing or mitigating as many potential problem points as possible. For me, having the batteries lanyarded to the device gives me the virtually the same benefit of the batteries being left in the deivce but without the attendant risk.
No doubt the poverty-preppers will say that the same effect could be achieved with a small plastic bottle scrounged from the kitchen garbage and a little duct tape. May be. But my career goals have hit the point where I can insulate myself from future risk without resorting to using garbage. When its oh-dark-thirty and the power goes out in a blizzard, I don’t mind having spent ten bucks for the security of having the batteries where I need them when I need them. :::shrug::: Your choice.
If you really wanna go full Burt Gummer, the guys over at County Comm have battery safes that will do the PERFECT job but be prepared to pay a bit more than what you might feel comfortable with. I actually use the County Comm ones to keep two lithium AA-batts in my Bag O’ Tricks.
Anyway, thats the direction I’ve decided to go in in regards to not keeping batteries in devices while still keeping the batteries close at hand. YMMV, but to me it seems a good solution.
PVC pipe is another po boy option. Or plastic coin roll holders for some sizes of batteries.
I hit the same idea a little while ago. I’m using the same battery holder with a velcro cable tie to attach it to the lantern carry handle. I’m also clipping a keychain light that uses lithium coin cell batteries to the D cell battery holder so someone can see to install the D cells.
I’ve use a UST 30 Day led lantern for a few years. It take 3 D cell batteries.
I do exactly what CZ did; cable tied a battery holder to my lantern. I also cable tied a chem light to it as well. Once I find the lantern/batteries, I need to be able to put them together.
Find lantern/batts/chem light
Snap chemlight
Load batteries by light of chem light
Anything you keep or store batteries in, especially flashlights, after a given length of time, simply becomes a storage device for dead batteries… Batteries are meant to be used, not saved for a rainy day or until you need em. Feel around in the dark, you’ll soon figure it out.
Good call. As my dad would say: “If it looks stupid and it works, it ain’t stupid.”
There are two types of people:
1) Those who store the batteries in the device
2) Those who’ve had to scrub the residue of a leaked battery from out of a device. With anything you can find to get into all the nooks and crannies.
And hope you can salvage the item.
(When it’s a $2-3K pair of NVGs, you”ll stop doing it, I promise you.)
Those battery holders look spiffy.
I also second the PVC pipe idea. BTDT.
FWIW, if you put a stack of batteries in a length of PVC, making non-conducting spacers out of pieces of wooden popsicle craft sticks is a winner.
Leaving several original packaging bulk packs in .50 cal ammo cans works too.
You can always rotate the oldest ones out annually, and replace with fresh bulk packs.
It’s no harder to mark a can apiece with AAA, AA, 9V, C, D, Button on the pull handle end than it is to mark the cans with .22LR, .38, .357, 9mm, .45, etc.
I, usually, only keep batteries in devices I use regularly. Items like the flashlights at my desk. My weapon lights get used monthly, and it seems that I don’t have a problem with them. I did loan out my GPS and range finder last year, and found that they still had batteries in them. The range finder uses a 9V, which I have do not recall ever having an issue with, the one of the AA’s in the GPS was starting to leak. Cleaned it up with a little alcohol and q-tip, all’s well.
I do like the idea of having batteries attached to the emergency equipment. My lanterns are stored near the battery storage here.
When the 9v batts go bad now, they tend to puke the ENTIRE contents into your item. The bottom of the batt isn’t strong enough to hold back the expansion/growth of the sludge. Fun!
I recently received a Mecarmy B12 battery case…it holds 6 cr123a batteries in a crush proof and water tight polymer construction…it is similar to the Surefire ones but cheaper and lower profile (ie doesn’t have the lens bubble on top)…it also has foam for the lid so no rattle…Amazon has these black cases that hold 4 AAA, AA, or CR123a batteries…I think they come in a three pack…they have lids that close…useful to throw in a pouch or such…
I have had really good luck storing batteries in a small ziplock type bag.
For the ready-to-use stuff I replace the batts on a schedule, for the grab-n-go stuff I use the Storacells. Terrific product.
RE: the Battery Lockers – wondering why someone hasn’t come up with really cheap gizmos like non-brittle pharmacy pill bottles in specific sizes (2X AA, 3X AAA, 2-3X D, etc.) with a bottom eyelet for tie straps.
K.I.S.S.
I simply cut a small piece of plastic (like from a milk jug) and put it in between the battery and the terminal. When I need to use the device, I simply remove the plastic.
Problem solved.
No, it isn’t. They go bad just sitting around, now. They don’t need to be connected to anything. I’ve had them do this in their original display packages.
Hey Zero (and other LMI),
I got some of those holders from Amazon the last time you mentioned them. I do really like that they keep the batteries neat. However, I would caution that they don’t entirely prevent the mess. I had a pack in my glove box as backup for the flashlights, but when I went to perform my fall checkup, several of had them still leaked in there. I’m thinking a “belt ‘n suspenders” approach for places with a lot of temperature swings where I will put the case into a sandwich bag going forward.
You’re killing me. I needed these ideas 5 weeks ago when people were asking me what I wanted for the holidays. Anyways it went onto the amazon prime list for when the birthday rolls around.
Those give me some ideas for stuff to make on either (or both) my small lathe and 3D printer.
Thanks for the nudge.
The problem with periodic inspections for me is I have no idea what the time to failure is nor do I know long they take to empty all the goo out when they do fail. So any schedule is a guess. I do know from my experience that D-cells fail more than AA or AAA cells, and have a lot more goo to leak out. One thing I did find with one test instrument is if I store it upside down, any goo drips onto the plastic case, where it can be cleaned easily. I have never had the lithium AA cells leak but I have little experience with them.