Posted: 3/29/2011 1:41:24 AM EDT
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Over in this thread, everyone seems to be recommending a battery-operated radio.
Most of my experience with battery-operated devices all had some kind of electric motor in them. I've found NiMH tend to discharge themselves within a week if not used, and alkaline batteries became virtually useless within a year if not used (runtime in a device is between 1%-5% of what I'd get using a new battery). Does anyone have a good way to store batteries long term? |
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Quoted:
If AA or AAA, use Sanyo Eneloop batteries. They keep their charge for a year. In devices I don't use often, I don't leave the batteries in the device, but keep a charged stash of eneloops seperately. I can then rotate the freshest when I need it. +1 - What he said |
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Quoted:
alkaline batteries became virtually useless within a year if not used Not sure where you're getting that info. According to most battery tech manuals, alkaline cells still have 80 percent of their initial capacity after sitting around for almost 8 years at room temperature. Stored at 32 degrees F, they'll probably outlive you. 
The other battery chemistries (Ni-MH, Ni-Cad, Lithium, Carbon-Zinc, Lead-Acid, Silver-Oxide, etc.) follow a similar trend: Storage at low temperatures greatly increases their shelf life. Does anyone have a good way to store batteries long term?
Put them in Zip-Lock bags and toss 'em in the fridge. |
I am going with AA batteries as my primary and I carry a small 2-AA USB powered battery charger. I also have a small Wall/Car charger and a set of 12v battery clamps to cigaret adapter. Finally, right now I rely on Solar Landscape lights (they are only $2 each) to recharge my AA batteries via solar. I have a dozen of these so far and when I find them on sale I would like a second dozen  . I also have a deep cycle 12v battery I can use to recharge as necessary.
What I lack is a large solar panel to recharge my 12v battery. That is quickly becoming obvious to me as a critical gap in my preps so it is on my short list of preps to buy in the next couple months along with the solar battery charger. When SHTF, refrigeration will be very difficult, so we need to be able to recharge. |
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For something that chews through batteries I try to go rechargable if aa or aaa. I have a fair number of alkaline around as well in those 2 sizes but lately I have been using them up and not replacing them. I will always have some around in case someone is visiting and needs batteries for something but going rechargable is just the way I am heading these days. I have energizer rechargables but the eneloop is the brand to find and buy and I will get them next. I don't really have much c or d powered stuff. I do have a few things and they are normally low powered stuff like fans in the buddy heater or an led lantern or something similar. I also have some led d cell maglights around as well. Since everything is low powered I have been fine sticking with the alkaline stuff I have or what friends and relatives are throwing away when they think they are dead. An led maglight will run for a decent amount of time on d batteries that won't run the normal d cell maglights. I have a lot of stuff that takes cr123a batteries and since those are lithium with a 10 year shelf life I have not had a problem keeping them around. The majority of my stuff is getting setup to be rechargable or being replaced with rechargable stuff. This might mean a built in rechargable battery or just that it works well on rechargable batteries. I was not impressed when I bought some of the really cheap bulk packs over the holidays. Yes the batteries worked and yes the overall cost might work out but the lifespan of the batteries sucks if you don't want to haul batteries around. Right now I just stick to duracell or energizer branded alkaline stuff. I think all my cr123a batteries are surefire or energizer branded stuff. As someone recomended already, I don't store batteries in most items. My flashlight by the door and what not is something I use fairly often, 1 time a week or more, and I check it every week or two to make sure the batteries are not leaking. So far anyting that leaked just a little bit has been easily cleaned up and did not hurt the item it leaked in. I have batteries in my desk for when some battery runs dead and I need to swap it out right now. I have the bulk battery storage in the fridge in sealed up freezer ziplocks. Now that I have a vacumn packer thingy I will probably pack up the next bunch of batteries withit. I don't keep all the batteries in one big baggy. I break it down into groups so a leaking battery won't leak on all the rest of the batteries. |