I store my batteries in Ziplock bags in the fridge. It's simple enough to just have a different bag for each size. They are easy to access, and supposedly storing them in the fridge will give them longer life! I mostly store them there because then I know where they are!
By Pam T from Storm Lake, IA
This page contains the following solutions.
Although I always try to use rechargeable batteries, once in a while, I have none charged for my camera and need to buy some if going to an event. I have found that when these batteries die out for the camera, they still work just fine in a less energy demanding item.
When the batteries in my remotes stop working, I open the remote and roll them around.
When a battery is supposedly not working anymore or running low for a particular gadget, do not toss it out! It can actually be useful for a different gadget or as a spare.
I was able to get a free digital multimeter with a coupon at Harbor Freight store. With the instrument, I can check batteries for voltage. You don't have to wonder anymore if a battery is good.
I have a preventative tip to avoid those times when it's difficult to remove the dead batteries from electronics equipment. Whenever I need to replace batteries in anything, I put a long strip of tape around each battery, leaving a "tail" hanging.
I have a battery powered drill. A friend told me that if I stored the batteries in their boxes instead of in the drill, they would last longer.
In regards to your tip about putting flashlight batteries in backwards to prevent accidental discharge, many designs of flashlights will allow them to operate even if both batteries are reversed. Also, even one battery reversed will allow discharge if accidentally switched on.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
By D. Heil
By Erin
By Joe
By kerra
By Anna
By Rinky
The only problem I have is the kids use them and sometimes misplace them so now I have them exchange their drained batteries for recharged ones. If they get caught stealing them, they have to buy their own and replace mine. I am tough about that but they cost $10 for 4 batteries. After charging them 100's of times they are worth the price.
The charger was about $20 but it has lasted over 2 years and been dropped, so it is a tough little thing. I really think very highly of these and I am a total critic about where my money goes. I still have the original 8 batteries going and use them in my headphones daily.
By H.J.
By T. BURNS
By Fisher
By Barbie
To help condition your batteries, let your phone or computer batteries run down once a month to the point that the battery is nearly out of life. Then charge it fully. This will prolong the life of the battery and maintain the length of charge you expect for longer.
Do you have any more tips for saving money on batteries? Please post them below.
Hi gang!
I've been using two Nikon Lithium Ion batteries for three years. I purchased them when I bought my digital camera and I charge them regularly.
I have taken several thousand pictures with these two batteries and I recommend Lithium rechargable batteries to any person who wants a dependable battery. The fact that such batteries exist proves that the larger batteries in Electric Cars are feasible and that Electric cars have been deliberately sabotaged by General Motors. Watch the Video "Who Killed the Electric Car."
The only thing I have to add where batteries are concerned is to be careful trying to save money. We put a well known generic battery in our son's portable CD player - - brand new CD player I might add. The very same day that the batteries were put in, they leaked an oily substance everywhere. It completely trashed out the CD player. The batteries were actually bubbling this stuff all over the place. This was one of those instances where using a generic did not save money.
Putting batteries in the fridge to extend their "shelf life" really does work! There is a chemical reaction that slowly depletes batteries even if they are just at rest. Cooler temperatures slow the reaction, higher temperatures speed the reaction. Do not freeze your batteries though.
First time here... hope I'm doing this right... anyway, if you have a WinnDixie grocer near you, check their weekly ads on winndixie.com, they often have their batteries on sale, buy one, get one free!
A good tip is if your going to store something like an emergency radio for an extended time put a piece of plastic wrap between the battery contact and the radio contact then close the battery compartment so the plastic is exposed so next time you need the radio just pull the plastic tab.
I tried storing my batteries in the fridge to make them last longer. They actually ended up dying faster.
Don't throw used AA or AAA batteries. I usually keep them and use them if my wall clocks' (I have seven wall clocks at home) batteries no longer work.
My question is... Does putting batteries in the freezer extend their life? I have been told that it does. Can someone answer this question. Thank you,
Hi Mary,
I read recently that putting them in the freezer or refrigerator does not extend their life, however, I still do that. lol
Jennifer
Northern Virginia
I read that it is best to keep them at room temperature. They are exposed to moisture in the refrigerator or freezer.
Storing Batteries
Jim Tessmar is the owner of The Battery Hut in Burbank, Calif. Here he offers us advice on how to store batteries properly:
* Myths. According to Tessmar, there are a lot of battery storage myths out there, but the most prevalent one is that you should keep your batteries in the refrigerator or freezer. While this may have been sound advice in the old days, battery technology has changed over the years, and cold storage is no longer the place for batteries.
* Room temperature. The best place to keep batteries is somewhere thats dry and at room temperature, like a kitchen cabinet.
* Heat and flame. Never keep your batteries in extreme heat or near an open flame. Tessmar believes that the chances of explosion due to heat are slim, but it does happen, and youre always better off safe than sorry.
* Long life. Quality batteries are made to have long shelf lives. Stored properly in your kitchen drawer or similar location, batteries can last from 3 to 5 years and still work great when you put them into a device. Many brands have sell-by dates on the package, and these can help you determine if youve still got fresh, strong batteries on your hands.
www.fineliving.com/
This is a cool old school link on the topic
americanhistory.si.edu/
Freezing batteries usually kills them. I accidentally left some out in our garage for a few days - the air temperature was around -15 'C (A home freezer should be about -18 'C). When I tried them, they were all dead.
How long should a battery in a cordless phone last? Mine is just 2 years old and says low battery and will not hold a charge for more than 5 minutes. A new battery for this phone is $26.00. How do you take care of a cordless phone to make the batteries last longer? Is there a way to extend this batteries life? Is there such a thing as a generic phone battery? Thanks for reading and I will appreciate any and all advice.
I would not keep it on the charger all the time when not in use. It may be the same as with cell phones: if you keep charging them they develop a "memory" and don't charge up all the way. Run the battery down....wait until the "battery low" warning comes on every time before you recharge it.
I hope this helps (next time).
Hi. I am not sure how to make the battery last longer but I can tell you the lowest price I have found for batteries. I had to replace mine about a year ago. The website I found charges .99 shipping and I got the batteries super quick!
I have had the same cordless phone with the same battery for 8 years. Sometimes it runs down completely, and sometimes it sits on the phone all the time. I don't really see that it makes a difference.
Your battery seems defective. Based on my experience, they should last a lot longer than 2 years.
I've also gotten batteries from Batterydepot.com and they are great! I've gotten batteries from there that I never would have thought replacement batteries were made for! And the prices are extremely reasonable. Especially when you consider the cost of replacing the item.
But it does sound like your battery is defective. Plus, as Mary T said, keeping it on the charger all the time when it's not in use will cause the battery life to be shortened big time. I let mine run down completely about once a month. Then give it a full charge. So far it's done great.
Can a watch battery go dead with the stem pulled out? I replaced a bunch of watch batteries and left the stem out on all of them. They went dead after 2 years. How long should they last with stem out? I kind of forgot about them, so was surprised when they were all dead!
By Carol from St. Joseph, MO
Some watches disconnect the power with the stem out, some don't possible. We buy batteries real, real cheap at the flea market.
Batteries are used in electronic products we use every day. Being a responsible battery user can help maximize usage, as well as, reduce waste and pollution. This is a page about battery basics!
Stopping a watch when you are not using it is a great way to ensure the battery lasts as long as possible. This is a page about making a watch battery last longer.
ThriftyFun is one of the longest running frugal living communities on the Internet. These are archives of older discussions.
As soon as I return home from work, I take my watch off. I always pull the pin out to stop the time and therefore save on battery usage.
Would it help my watch battery last longer if I pulled the pin at night so it didn't run for that period of time? I have 2 watches and they always go dead about the same time.
