Battery check day. I’ve got my list of items around the bunker that I keep batteries in at all times (things like flashlights, etc.) and today is one of the scheduled days to go inspect them all to make sure nothing is in the process of crapping the bed. Since I’ve instituted this program I have not found any batteries that have self-destructed or were in the process of self-destructing. But….it’s a half hour every few months, so why not check? It’s a heck of a lot cheaper to throw out a couple suspect D-batts than it is to buy a new LED MagLite.
Thus far, the biggest culprit in crapped-the-bed batteries has been Duracell batteries. I have yet to have any issued with lithium batteries, by the way. For absolutely critical gear, and gear that gets exposed to great temperature swings (like being left in a vehicle) the lithiums are the way to go.
Do it today, guys. Spend just a few minutes checking your flashlights and radios to make sure your batteries aren’t destroying your electronic geegaws.
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In admin matters, someone very generously sent me an Amazon gift card the other day and I’d like to take this moment to thank them. If you feel I provide high entertainment value (or even middlin’ entertainment value) please consider tossing a little something my way.
Just an FYI – most old school Maglites can be retrofitted with LED bulbs for about the same price (maybe a bit more) as a set of good batteries. Works for the old GI angle head flashlights as well.
This is true, but its more than just the LED. The reflector geometries are completely different as well.
My old 5 ‘C’ cell Maglite that I carried as a personal protection device as a Paramedic in the South Bronx almost 40 years ago works just great with an LED replacement bulb. I can adjust the beam almost as well as with the old incandescent bulbs with about 3x the brightness. It’s well worth the small expense to bring it up to modern specs. True, it won’t be quite as good as one designed specifically for the LED, but I already had it, and it is even more functional after all of these years.
I was going through my “hurricane kit” the other day, I found three packages of Duracell batteries that had started to leak even though they were well within the life expectance shown on the battery and on the package. I called the number on the package and gave them the lot numbers and such, Today, in the mail, I had three coupons good for any size battery pack valued up to $20 retail. I have to give them credit for making good on their warranty, Will be heading to Sams or BJ’s tomorrow morning to get some batteries before Hurricane Isaias hits here. I had some, but more is better.
Have you checked out the newer line of Maglites? The ML300 stuff is massively better than their first design of lights or the drop-in conversions.
I picked up a 3D model to try as an option for our local CERT group. You can shift between modes to get either significantly better battery life or much higher output.
https://maglite.com/products/ml300l-3-cell-d-flashlight?_pos=6&_sid=3fcb725b1&_ss=r
Steelheart
Commander: Thank you for the gentle reminder. It triggered a conversation with TDW-Mark II regarding battery census, inventory, inspection and updating. Which, of course, is part of my evolving Review of the Stuff Plan. Which plan is improving, thanks to your suggestions.
Did I say, “Thanks!”?
I change out all the important stuff like weapons mounted lights twice a year on daylights savings time spring and fall.
Everything else is checked in the spring as part of “spring cleaning”.
Hey, great site!
I wanted to add something an old technician friend of mine taught me. Put your batts in backwards and flip them around when you’re ready to use them. I was part of a travel mission with a very high operational tempo and we had to keep our cases packed and ready to go at all times. We used to store all our batts (except odd-shaped LIon batts) backwards until needed. They never discharged, leaked, or otherwise caused us grief and they were always ready to go.
Have been doing that for more years than I care to admit,but some may still discharge/leak. Try a piece of plastic between the battery and contacts-same idea,remove cap remove plastic and reinstall.