Batteries and BoBs

MrsG - July 30, 2020

Advice

I’m working on getting the BoBs set up for myself and my family.  Today I was adding headlamps, which take batteries.  Is there consensus about storing them with the batteries in or adjacent?  Any tips on tracking this kind of thing. Thanks!

9  

Avoid alkaaline batteries completely!  They are prone to leakage, which can destroy your headlamp, and surprisingly, they are more expensive to operate that NiMH (nickel metal hydride) battereis which are rechargeable hundreds of times, even adding in the cost of a quality charger.  Lithium batteries are another one time use option.  They at least will no leak.

If your headlamp has a locking feature, re the batteries in the headlamp.  If it doees not have such a feature, store the batteries inthe headlamp and unscrew the battery case to the point where the batteries will not light,  Just remember to screew the case tight when you use the light.

In headlamps and batteries, you get what you pay for.  There are cheap items .hich will fail on you at critical times, and more expensive items which are relatively dependable.  There are also extremely expensive headlamps which are worth it for very specializd uses, like caving, but these are generally over the top for general use

 

To add on about “non-rechargable” Lithium batteries, not only are they reported to not leak but they have a long advertized shelf life.  Energizer claims their shelflife is 20 years, though other sources disagree or vary.

https://www.upsbatterycenter.com/blog/understanding-battery-shelf-life/

Also consider storing extra ones in a waterproof container, but not plugged into the device.  In theory, a device like a flashlight with a mechanical switch shouldn’t slow-drain a battery, but modern devices can be weird and some may have ‘always on’ or ‘standby’ features so having spares outside the device can’t hurt.

Edit:
to clarify, not all Enenergizer batteries claim 20 year shelf life, just the fancy premium ones which happen to be lithium based:
https://www.energizer.com/batteries/energizer-ultimate-lithium-batteries

 

I took the batteries out of my bag’s devices since I figure the main thing I would need ON during that initial rush to get out would be my phone. I can pop the batteries in my radio later, for example.

 

my wif and I and cat had to leave home qabruptlyduring the Thmas fire a couple of year ago. Powe had failed about two hours before andatory evac orders weree issued.  Itook my phone, of course, but I was glad I had my EDC flashlight handy and that I could save the electroms in my phone for comms or photos rathr than light.

I now  keep a poweer bank handy to perk up the phone and the headlamp.  Many power banks havee a light included, as well.

 

I avoid alkaline batteries when I can and try to only keep Energizer Ultimate Lithiums in devices to avoid leak damage.  Rechargeable cells would be a much cheaper method but I lack the discipline to rotate/charge Eneloop NiMH cells.  For me it’s worth it to pay a little extra for something that won’t ruin my equipment and has a long shelf life.

 

I tried to go rechargeable, turns out, I don’t have the discipline to rotate/charge them either.

 

This is all really helpful information.  Thank you all so much for the help.

 

Lithium batters are the go to. They’re more expensive sure, but they dont leak (as often), have better output/ life, longer expiration and are lighter weight than their alkiline counterparts.

 

My go to as well. I use lithium batteries in all my gear requiring batteries.