What do you do for battery maintenance for your “prep gear”. By that I mean car emergency kit,  hurricane kit, bugout or get home bag, camping gear, etc? Even lights on your firearms.

Do you change out the batteries regularly? Like a smoke detector.

Do you check the batteries on a meter? If yes, when do you change them out?

I read many folks change batteries on lights when they seems to be dimmer or only the lower settings work. I think that’s fine for stuff you use at home, but what about for stuff that when you need it, you will absolutely need it to work well.

I usually have lights all around the house, car, work bag, etc. So easy to get another light when one starts failing. But what if I’m out camping and only taking essentials, or in a hurricane.

I stay far away from duracell batteries.
I had a lot of electrical stuff damaged by duracell leakage.
I switched to lithium ion as much as possible.

Duracell is junk.  All my flashlights run on lithium too.

I stay far away from duracell batteries.
I had a lot of electrical stuff damaged by duracell leakage.
I switched to lithium ion as much as possible.

Hmm. First I’ve heard of issues with Duracell. I’ve used them for as long as I can remember. I use and buy other brands too, but never had an issue with Duracell. Had the leaky alkaline batteries, but that’s all brands.

What or how we’re items damaged. I’ve read where CR123s have “blown up” when the individual cells have a large differential in voltage.

I have been buying and using lithium a lot more lately. Lithium and CR123.

Duracell is junk.  All my flashlights run on lithium too.

Most of my lights now are CR123 or that other 18-something rechargeable battery. I have some headlamps with AAA, but those are all in lithium as well.

The tricky issue with rechargeable lithium ion batteries is that they degrade when you store them at a 100% or 30% charge. Ideally they should be store charged at about 60%.

The tricky issue with rechargeable lithium ion batteries is that they degrade when you store them at a 100% or 30% charge. Ideally they should be store charged at about 60%.

Good point and what I was wondering about as well. I have a few items that use 18650B rechargeable and the balance of when to recharge for items that are on “standby”.

Hmm. First I’ve heard of issues with Duracell. I’ve used them for as long as I can remember. I use and buy other brands too, but never had an issue with Duracell. Had the leaky alkaline batteries, but that’s all brands.

What or how we’re items damaged. I’ve read where CR123s have “blown up” when the individual cells have a large differential in voltage.

I have been buying and using lithium a lot more lately. Lithium and CR123.

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Mostly flashlights.
Or just about every battery powered device that had duracell in them suffered from leakage.

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Mostly flashlights.
Or just about every battery powered device that had duracell in them suffered from leakage.

Ahh. Leakage damage. Not overheat or voltage issues.

Ahh. Leakage damage. Not overheat or voltage issues.

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Yeah, just leakage. It seems to be a common problem when stuff gets old.

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Yeah, just leakage. It seems to be a common problem when stuff gets old.

Haha. Some more than others... 

I have heard folks hating on Duracell for leaking. I haven’t noticed if other brands were different. I typ buy whatever is on sale. But like you, I have gone away from alkaline batteries.

i own no batteries nor prep gear

i own no batteries nor prep gear

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Therefore no leakage problem.

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Therefore no leakage problem.

heads

I have emergency lamps/flashlights that I check once a year for battery acid leaking.

My EDC ProTac I change battery every few months. Cause I always do a function check prior to using (every morning b4 going into my pocket).  So it uses up the CR123 faster than any acid could leak

Same goes with light on my 1 pistol.  I do a check before I go to bed, so same thing, this battery needs replacing every 8 months or so. So acid is not too much of a concern.  I also change it out b4 I go to Vegas, because I don't want to be out of state if the battery dies.

Just got my Cloud Defensive OWL installed last month.  I do a battery check once a week.

I just tossed AA and AAA batteries (all Duracell) from devices in which the batteries were leaking.  The devices weren't too damaged -- I hope.

I've been using the rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries in my flashlights for years now.  Not a single one has leaked.  Some get used often, and others remain unused for months, even years.  Other than needing the refresh the charge, all of them are still going strong with no leaking.

I'm close to trying the Lithium Duracell batteries (non-rechargeable).  I've heard rumors they don't last as long as Alkaline, or maybe it was they can't provide the same level of power for as long, which affects some electronics like electronic camera flashes and such.

Anyway, buying cheapest is a bad strategy.  If you can find trusted, reliable, good quality ON SALE for less than normal price, that's a better practice.  I buy when Costco has a sale.  If I pass on those, 9/10 times I'll need more, and they won't be discounted.

I have emergency lamps/flashlights that I check once a year for battery acid leaking.

My EDC ProTac I change battery every few months. Cause I always do a function check prior to using (every morning b4 going into my pocket).  So it uses up the CR123 faster than any acid could leak

Same goes with light on my 1 pistol.  I do a check before I go to bed, so same thing, this battery needs replacing every 8 months or so. So acid is not too much of a concern.  I also change it out b4 I go to Vegas, because I don't want to be out of state if the battery dies.

Just got my Cloud Defensive OWL installed last month.  I do a battery check once a week.

The battery leaking thing on some emergency lights and stuff bothers me.  Not as much anymore as I have mulitple as well as a variety of power sources (battery types, rechargeable units, etc), but still somewhat of a concern.  The thing with the rechargeables is no good way to tell when they are running low.  I will plug some in if there's a storm coming, but won't always get warning.  That's one of the reasons I diversified. 

The batteries in my ear pro is another one I check and change probably more often than I "need" to.  Hate for those to run out when I'm on the range.  Yeah, I usually have spares in my range bag, but there are times when I will use my ear pro without much range gear. 

One that I need to get into more of a regular replacement is the battery for the RDS on my handgun(s).  Many recommend changing once a year, same with the battery of your smoke alarm.  But the smoke alarm in my building is via a central system, not battery. 

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Therefore no leakage problem.

At least not from batteries he doesn't own. . . other "avenues"?  Well. . . 

At least not from batteries he doesn't own. . . other "avenues"?  Well. . . 

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The solution to the leakage problem DEPENDS on the "avenue".