... and check your ordinary batteries regularly

[Adi007]

Pretty much the only place I use ordinary batteries now is in torches and headlamps ... they last so long in LED lamps that it's now worth it using rechargeable. But, the long batter life means that we haven't been checking them as often and the other day I went to a Petzl Tikka only to find the batteries (Energizer Titanium technology) had leaked! :shock: Luckily, the insides on the Tikka are stainless steel so there was no damage!

Check you batteries regularly!!!

 

[alick]

Especially in all those things you forget like your electrical test meter, smoke alarms, clocks, metal / pipe detector, forgotten childrens toys ...

One of the problems with "emergency or just in case" kits. Chemical light sticks and medicines, steriles, diarolyte, etc all have expiry dates and need to be renewed every few years.

Whenever buying these or batteries, it's worth buying from retailers with a rapid stock turnover to make sure that you, not the retailer get to use up the shelf life of the product.

Thanks for the reminder.

 

[Adi007]

Good point about getting batteries from somewhere with a rapid stock turnover. I generally buy from somewhere like Tescos because I can rummage through for the ones with the longest shelf life. Prices aren't too bad either.

I tend to use rechargeable NiMH batteries for a lot of applications (during summer I have a solar charger that I use for recharging while on the move!

I don't however, buy CR123 batteries from there (the one's for Surefire torches) because they are way too expensive ... I tend to use Heinnie Haynes for them and I've never had a bad batch. Buying cheap can mean the difference between the Surefire taking nearly £12 worth of batteries or just over £2! (and they only last about 90 mins!!!!)

 

[Roving Rich]

Good tip, I killed one of my mini maglites when the batteries corroded up inside it. There is just no way to remove em from a maglite once the go furry. Long live LED technology.
Cheers
Rich

 

[CM Burns]

The cheapest place that I have found to buy batteries in the UK is www.7dayshop.com.

standard postage charge is only 95p even if your buying a sack full!

CR123As are about £1.30 - though they often do special offers - i picked up a batch of Kodak 123As for £1.09 each recently

standard Panasonic alkalines are incredibly cheap too!

i aslo recall someone posting recently that Jessops will pricematch 7dayshop.com for Panasonic 123A's which i think are £1.29 each - Jessops will also charge you the postage of 95p as well - not a bad deal at all though if you need 123As in a hurry buy don't want to pay £7 in Dixons/Currys!!!!

 

[Adi007]

When forced to choose an ordinary battery over a rechargeable, what's your battery of choice?

For me, I generally go for Energizer or, if I want longer life, Duracell Ultra.

 

[Andy]

id go for sa rechargeable. NIMH. at a £1 each for about 2AH your running stuff cheap.
I'm not sure its a good idea to charge the NIMH batteries on a sloar charger. have you asked at ashop about it. it may be something to do with a non constant charge rate

 

[alick]

I think you'd have to do a real objective comparison to work out how the brands compare.
As I understand it, Duracell had a quality problem several years ago. I remember a couple of 12 packs giving pitiful performance and haven't bought them since. Energisers have seemed OK, but japanese (big name) brands sold by photo processing outlets have often been poor in my experience.
IKEA sell own brand batteries at £1 per 10 . These seem good vaue for money and they're brave enough to issue a leaflet with a performance curve on it. Lets face it, branding & TV advertising is expensive and we pay for it on the price of the product. Generics are bound to be better value.