flashlight batteries how to keep them clean ?

[rfuerst911sc]

Yesterday I purchased two cheap LED flashlights that use three each AAA batteries. I would like to keep these in the cars but past experience says they will start leaking battery juice at some point in time, I'm assuming from the heat. Anyway any tips on how to keep the batteries clean/stop leaking ? I guess the easy answer is change them every six months but easy to forget. Do you put any dielectric grease on them ? What about battery type ? Standard vs. alkaline vs. ??? It will cost more for the replacement batteries than the flashlights cost so I guess I could just throw them away but I don't like doing that.

[LeeH]

How often will they get used? I pull batteries from things I rarely use. Put the batteries in a baggy. Put them in the flashlight if you need to use it.

[Rot 911]

Get led flashlights that use lithium batteries. Even the ones from HF work well and lithium batteries are relatively cheap if you buy in bulk.

[vash]

I opted for an inexpensive flashlight that uses the cr123 batteries. They last for years untouched.


Sent via Jedi mind trick.

[rusnak]

You can buy lithium batteries, I think, in AAA size.

Also, Duracell makes a Duro Core battery that will last years without leaking.

Your best bet is to buy a rechargeable flashlight with a lithium battery for normal use. Your emergency flashlight should use alkaline batteries that are changed annually.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by LeeH

How often will they get used? I pull batteries from things I rarely use. Put the batteries in a baggy. Put them in the flashlight if you need to use it.

This is what I do for all of my occasional-use things that take batteries.

[vash]

Nitrolon G2 flashlight. In my wife car for maybe three years. Will still send out a blazing beam of light. I sometimes get boxes of free batteries so I will run it down and replace. An alkaline battery will leak. Unless you can follow a strict replacement schedule. It will fail.

Lots of cheaper flashlights and headlamps are not yet rated to run lithiums. Just read and article about it this morning. Apparently they put out just a tad more voltage?


Sent via Jedi mind trick.

[rusnak]

From my own seat-of-the-butt testing, lithium batteries put out a lot more power, and will do so for a longer period of time than alkaline batteries. But Lithium will drop off suddenly, giving almost no warning that they are about to die, similar to Ni-cads.

That's why my go-to lights are all rechargeable Li-ion but the emergency, if this thing don't work them I'm screwed flashlights that I keep in vehicle toolboxes, are all Alkaline and they are changed regularly no matter what. If you are doing anything involving high value, use fresh alkaline or brand new lithium batteries.

[aschen]

cr123 cells are specifically designed for long shelf life. The energy storage is much higher as well.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by vash

Nitrolon G2 flashlight. In my wife car for maybe three years. Will still send out a blazing beam of light. I sometimes get boxes of free batteries so I will run it down and replace. An alkaline battery will leak. Unless you can follow a strict replacement schedule. It will fail.

Lots of cheaper flashlights and headlamps are not yet rated to run lithiums. Just read and article about it this morning. Apparently they put out just a tad more voltage?


Sent via Jedi mind trick.

My G2s seem to like to self discharge in my glove boxes of my cars. I met a guy who make custom flashlights in WA. He modifies the drop ins and the electronics from an existing company to make them reliable. I have a couple make by him for very specific beam spreads. Worth the money IMO. I paid about $100

[aschen]

Fenix flashlights are fantastic value

[vash]

Originally Posted by look 171

My G2s seem to like to self discharge in my glove boxes of my cars. I met a guy who make custom flashlights in WA. He modifies the drop ins and the electronics from an existing company to make them reliable. I have a couple make by him for very specific beam spreads. Worth the money IMO. I paid about $100

You turn the back cap out to prevent contact?


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[LeeH]

And then there's this:

Magnetic Force Flashlight | Electricity & Magnetism science experiments, teaching & education tools: Educational Innovations

[porsche4life]

A jack o light. .

[look 171]

Originally Posted by vash

You turn the back cap out to prevent contact?


Sent via Jedi mind trick.

Now I do.

[petrolhead611]

Use a handle turned charger flashlight, that way you dont have to remember about batteries.