Democratic Underground Latest Greatest Lobby Journals Search Options Help Login
Google

How long can batteries be stored in a flashlight?

Printer-friendly format Printer-friendly format
Printer-friendly format Email this thread to a friend
Printer-friendly format Bookmark this thread		 This topic is archived.
Home » Discuss » The DU Lounge Donate to DU
 
underpants Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed May-28-08 07:33 AM
Original message
How long can batteries be stored in a flashlight?
is there a set amount of time?

I had some batteries "go bad" in a flashlight over the winter and we just bought a few new ones (tax free this week in Va.) --should I take the batteries out between camping trips?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
NJmaverick Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed May-28-08 07:36 AM
Response to Original message
1. Depends on the type of batteries. A good set of alkaline batteries
can last years. Other types have shorter life spans. If you have a really high quality flashlight, I would remove the batteries at the end of camping season. I have seen even alkaline batteries go bad and ruin the device they are in.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
havocmom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed May-28-08 08:05 AM
Response to Reply #1
2. Doesn't temp add a variable too?
Seems too hot or too cold shortens life of batteries.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
NJmaverick Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed May-28-08 09:19 AM
Response to Reply #2
9. Too hot will shorten their lives. Cold on the other hand tends to extend their lifespan
If batteries get too cold they tend not to work as well (again Alkalines are the least affected by this). However, the temperature is slowing down the chemical reactions, which is bad for immediate power needs, but good for long term storage. Some people will even store their batteries in the fridge, to keep them fresher.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
havocmom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed May-28-08 09:42 AM
Response to Reply #9
10. How 'bout REALLY cold?
I live in MT and know our winter temps shorten the lives of many kinds of batteries, but not sure about Alkalines. I know the flashlight in the car need battery replacement twice a year, whether we ever use it or not.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
NJmaverick Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed May-28-08 12:00 PM
Response to Reply #10
11. I would imagine that extreme cold could potentially harm batteries
here in NJ, that's not really an issue, so I haven't looked in to it.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
commander bunnypants Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed May-28-08 08:26 AM
Response to Original message
3. till they dont work no more
:shrug:

CB
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Forkboy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed May-28-08 08:50 AM
Response to Original message
4. Forever, though they may not work the whole time.
:P
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Shell Beau Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed May-28-08 09:04 AM
Response to Original message
5. I haven't a clue! I figure as long as they work.
:shrug:

I am such a help, huh? :P
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
madinmaryland Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed May-28-08 09:15 AM
Response to Original message
6. Many batteries now have a "use by" date on them.
Normally three to four years.

:shrug:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
DarkTirade Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed May-28-08 09:15 AM
Response to Original message
7. Murphy's law would suggest that the very act of putting the batteries in the flashlight
shortens their lifespan.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
DS1 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed May-28-08 09:17 AM
Response to Original message
8. flashlight eh? So that's what the kids are calling them these days
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Parche Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed May-28-08 12:04 PM
Response to Original message
12. For Ever
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Rabrrrrrr Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed May-28-08 12:08 PM
Response to Original message
13. Theoretically until the protons finally decay in a few tens of billions of years.
In terms of how long can you leave them in there and they'll still be charged, that's a much smaller timeline - usually a year or two, but one should keep checking and making sure they aren't leaking (though I've not seen a battery leak in many years, so I'm not sure if they even do that any more).

And to avoid the flashlight in a drawer being accidentally switched on, I'd keep the batteries out of it, just to be extra sure.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
DU AdBot (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Thu May 02nd 2024, 04:09 AM
Response to Original message
Advertisements [?]
 Top

Home » Discuss » The DU Lounge Donate to DU

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators

Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.

Home  |  Discussion Forums  |  Journals |  Store  |  Donate

About DU  |  Contact Us  |  Privacy Policy

Got a message for Democratic Underground? Click here to send us a message.

© 2001 - 2011 Democratic Underground, LLC