Battery Commonality Issues

[festus]

Say that fast three times...

Here is the dilema; your laser range finder takes battery size aa, your tactical flashlight takes litium 123's, your other gadgets need AAA or N or 1/3 N or CR2032...
Confused yet? I am. If your gear needs a lot of differant battery styles and voltages that means either you pack lots of spare batteries just like the US Military...or you get smart and opt for gadgets with as much battery comminality as is possible. I have tried my best to keep my battery requirements at AA and AAA. In a post fan world these are far easier to come by. It also means that as my more used gadgets die off that there is a darn good chance of cannibalizing batteries from one gadet to the other to keep critical comm or nav items running.
It also means I am not carrying enough litium to cause a minor explosion if I get wet (yes sports fans litium reacts violently to moisture). I have thought this through and here is what works for me:
GPS; rescue strobe; and led flashlight all take AA batteries.
Tactical light; Comm radio; and other gadgets take AAA.
This way I can cannibalize in the field. I don't need a special order even at a remote Alaskan village store and my equipment stays up as required in a pinch.

Think past lunch when you plan your gear for bug-out/camping/hunting it pays off huge in the long run by reducing weight and your resupply requirements.

 

[HK4U]

festus, anyone. What about some of the solar battery chargers? Have you tried any of them? Do they work well enough to make it worth while to have one in your gear?

 

[Glock Fan]

festus, anyone. What about some of the solar battery chargers? Have you tried any of them? Do they work well enough to make it worth while to have one in your gear?

This company GOALØ – Take Charge puts out some amazing products. I've owned the product for a couple of years and have to say that it works extremely well. My iPod and cell phone are kept charged by the device. :biggrin:

As for batteries, the bulk of my equipment use AA and AAA batteries. Only devices that use different batteries would be my primary flashlights (CR123) and my night vision devices (N). If possible, I opt for devices that use AA or AAA batteries, and have several "back up" lights to my primary flashlights that use the CR123 batteries. The night vision equipment can run for days on a single N battery, so I'm not too worried about running out of juice. I have an adequate supply that should last long enough for me to acquire replacements.




gf

 

[THE DUKE OF ESSEX]

I have an older Coast Triplet led flashlight that I have carried for years and it took 2 or 3 N size batteries. When they gave up I replaced them with two AAA batteries and it has been working great for the last 4 years. So if you have anything that takes N size like this, try a couple triple A's in it's place.leasantry:

 

[Glock Fan]

I have an older Coast Triplet led flashlight that I have carried for years and it took 2 or 3 N size batteries. When they gave up I replaced them with two AAA batteries and it has been working great for the last 4 years. So if you have anything that takes N size like this, try a couple triple A's in it's place.leasantry:

My night vision equipment takes the N size batteries. I don't think a AAA cell will fit in the battery compartment. Another consideration is that the scope would cost $400 to replace. Thanks for the suggestion, but I think I'll stick to purchasing a bunch of N batteries and keeping them on hand. :wink:



gf

 

[bdlove]

Yall are probably gonna laugh at this but here goes. They make flashlights that you shake or crank to charge. Now i know they arent very good, BUT it is better than no light at all. Of course they couldnt be used as tactical lights as they arent too bright, but if SHTF and you are in the dark it would be better to have one of them and save your batteries for in tactical lights for when you need them.

 

[wolfhunter]

Yall are probably gonna laugh at this but here goes. They make flashlights that you shake or crank to charge. Now i know they arent very good, BUT it is better than no light at all. Of course they couldnt be used as tactical lights as they arent too bright, but if SHTF and you are in the dark it would be better to have one of them and save your batteries for in tactical lights for when you need them.

I have a Nightstar 3 shake charged light, a crank-charged AM/FM/WX Grundig radio, and a crank-charged Midland AM/FM/FRS/GMRS radio. They work well for normal power outage or camping situations.

 

[HK4U]

I have the Grundig radio and a hand crank flashlight as well.

 

[HK4U]

This company GOALØ – Take Charge puts out some amazing products. I've owned the product for a couple of years and have to say that it works extremely well. My iPod and cell phone are kept charged by the device. :biggrin:

As for batteries, the bulk of my equipment use AA and AAA batteries. Only devices that use different batteries would be my primary flashlights (CR123) and my night vision devices (N). If possible, I opt for devices that use AA or AAA batteries, and have several "back up" lights to my primary flashlights that use the CR123 batteries. The night vision equipment can run for days on a single N battery, so I'm not too worried about running out of juice. I have an adequate supply that should last long enough for me to acquire replacements.




gf

Thanks. That is some impressive looking equipment Glock Fan.

 

[AR Hammer]

OK, TWO issues here that are pretty easy to correct.

1. Battery interchange.
AAA size batteries can be used with adapter shells in AA, C or D size appliances pretty easily.

You can acquire adapters that use two or three or 4 AA batteries in C & D size accessories.

This gives you FLEXIBILITY on what you can use.

2. Battery Life.
I've switched over to rechargeable AAA or AA batteries for most everything I have.
Since you can use adapters for your C & D size flashlights, ect. there isn't an issue with the battery life, since they are rechargeable.

I have a VERY inexpensive battery charger that charges all popular batteries, D, C, AA, AAA, & 9 volt.
Brand name is Energizer and it ran about $20.

I have a very small version, charges AAA & AA from wall outlet (110 volt) or vehicle 'Cigar Lighter' plug (12 Volt).
Since it's pocket size and does up to 4 batteries at a time, it's VERY handy on the road.

There are SEVERAL small solar cells that put out current through a 'Cigar Lighter' type plug,
This makes the batteries COMPLETELY field portable and rechargeable.

You can get FLEXIBLE solar panels that will strap on the top or back of your pack allowing for recharging while moving,
Or you can mount the rigid panels (Which have higher outputs than the flexible) for a semi-permanent locations.

I keep the small charger in my console plugged into an 'Accessory' power supply with batteries in it,
So while I'm driving my Jeep to the woods, gun range, work site, ect.
I have at least 4 batteries charged when I get there.

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Now, if you keep your flashlights on LED bulbs, instead of fragile incandescent bulbs, you will find your batteries last MUCH longer.
I have a small (AA) mag light I use quite often the batteries have lasted 3 years in,
And I have yet to change the bulb in it where every time I dropped the light before the LED, I had to replace the bulb...
Which gets aggravating and expensive.

If you keep your 'Red Dot' sight light TURNED DOWN so it's not at it's highest setting,
Then your battery will last MUCH longer.
When deployed, I didn't change the battery for an entire year, while others were burning up batteries on a daily basis.

Button cells are cheap, can't be recharged easily, and are a pain to store since they get away so easily.
I keep an extra button cell taped in the optics cover that flips up...
So I have at least ONE good battery.

If you look for optics, look for AA or AAA battery powered so you can use recharger instead of button cells.

If you can, buy optics that have 'Daytime' capabilities,
Leupold has a reticle etched in the lenses, so you don't need batteries in the daytime.
Some have light collection (fiber optic) that puts a 'Dot' in the optic in daylight, even low light will often give you enough of an aiming point you don't need batteries.

REMEMBER TO TURN THE DARN THINGS OFF!
I have a REALLY bad habit of standing flashlights up on their lenses so you can't see they are still on, and running the batteries down!

I have a REALLY BAD habit of leaving the 'Red Dot' optics 'On' and putting them in the case when I'm finished shooting!
Even at low levels, this will eventually run the battery down!

I have a stocker on the front of the rifle case that says "Did You Turn The Lights Off?",
And I STILL forget once in a while!

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The SINGLE MOST USEFUL flashlight I have is a hand crank version for camping!
Can't run the 'Batteries' down, and it was only about $5 on a blow out rack at the auto parts store.
I've used that thing for YEARS with no issue, it's light, cheap and works great!

I'm tinkering around with it, trying to see if it will recharge cell phone batteries, rechargeable AAA size batteries, ect.