When was the last time you checked the batteries in your flashlight? Your radio? How about the battery in your smoke detector? Our plan is to share this article once a month, as a reminder, to get you to start considering batteries as essential gear. This will be the time to check your flashlights, radios, clocks, and other gadgets. Get a basic battery tester like this one: Battery Tester

 

 

There, I said it. Hope you recover from the shock. Now listen up, Sparky. Everything you thought you knew about rechargeable batteries is old news (most likely). The new Li-ion (Lithium ion), Li-Po (Lithium Polymer), and Ni-MH (Nickel Metal Hydride) batteries available today are really amazing. They offer faster charging times, better storage life, and more charge cycles (how many times you can recharge the battery) than ever before. The Sanyo Eneloop batteries are wonderful. Look at some of the chargers from Olight, Nitecore, and XTAR. They charge a wide variety of batteries and do everything automagically! Some can also charge different types and sizes simultaneously. There are even some CHARGERS that will recharge standard alkaline batteries! Now brace yourself, I’m about to geek out for a second. This is where cool batteries and awesome flashlights meet. If you want maximum brightness and runtime from your new flashlights, look for ones that will run on both traditional batteries (AA,AAA, CR123) and the new higher voltage Li-ion rechargeable. Normal alkaline batteries are usually 1.5 volt, some rechargeable  batteries are 1.5 volt or 1.2 volt. Here is the cool part. A 14500 Li-ion is usually 3.7 volt and the same size as a AA. A 10440 Li-ion is also 3.7 volt and AAA sized. Look for flashlights that will use either and you have a win/win situation. This allows you to have more voltage from a single battery than a pair of normal 1.5v batteries. This can give you a brighter light, more runtime, a more compact light, or a combination.  You can pick up some Li-ions for daily use. You will have a much brighter light and usually longer run time and still have the ability to use alkaline batteries in a pinch. My one bit of advice from the “done it the wrong way” files… Look for Li-ion batteries marketed as “Protected”. That means they have a little circuit that shuts them off if you drain them down too low. You know, like when you accidentally turn your EDC light on in your pocket. This can damage the battery and destroy its longevity. Buy “Protected” batteries and quit worrying.