Emergency flashlights and their batteries

B

barber oregon

Joined
Nov 19, 2000
Messages
234
I've always been told/read not to keep batteries in flashlights for extended periods of time but have never actually found out why -- is this because of a portential for battery leakeage?

I've even been told (although I personally doubt this is true) that there is a slight drain on the batteries stored inside a flashlight even if the switch is in the 'off' position.

I want to stash some emergency lights around the house and car and I'll be using lithium batteries. Hopefully this should alleviate any leakage possibility.

Any one know why I shouldn't keep batteries in a flashlight as opposed to near it?
 
Regular Alkaline batteries will drain, and eventually leak. This will ruin your light by corroding the contacts. Don't know about Lithium Ions..

I would suggest:
Keep the batteries in their original package, or some other suitable container, and stash them with your light.
 
I have stored my Energizer lithium batteries in my Brinkmans flashlight, and it wears out after about two weeks, with maybe a combined 15 minutes of use. This happened twice. With my Surefire G2, I have left Surefire lithium batteries in it, and used it a combined 1/2 hour or time, and the light still works, and, they weren't brand new. I leave Rayovac batteries in my Maglite, and that works fine, I've used the current batteries for a combined 2 hour amount of time, approximately.
 
barber oregon said:
I've always been told/read not to keep batteries in flashlights for extended periods of time but have never actually found out why -- is this because of a portential for battery leakeage?

I've even been told (although I personally doubt this is true) that there is a slight drain on the batteries stored inside a flashlight even if the switch is in the 'off' position.

I want to stash some emergency lights around the house and car and I'll be using lithium batteries. Hopefully this should alleviate any leakage possibility.

Any one know why I shouldn't keep batteries in a flashlight as opposed to near it?
Click to expand...

If it's a 2 cell light like a Mini Mag, try reversing one of the cells. I do this with backup lights in a pack so they won't accidentally get turned on. I don't know if this would stop 'leakage' though. Worth a shot.

Doc
 
Batteries, at least the alkaline variety, will both eventually drain as well as potentially leak and corrode your unit, whatever it may be, from flashlights to cameras if left in the way they are meant to be.
However, I have found that by putting the batteries in backwards prevents this. Then, all's you will face is the shelf life expiration which varies depending on type of battery. AFAIK, the lithium batteries have the longest shelf life, but I don't think that means while they are kept in the unit they are used for, just in their original packaging.
I do have a flashlight in my camping gear box that has the same Energizers I put in it ten years ago: periodically, as I root through the gear box, I'll put the batteries in right and the darn thing still lights, but I honestly couldn't tell you for how long as I haven't tried that; I just take 'em back out and put 'em back in backwards...

(was writing as Doc posted - seems we have some of the same experiences!)
 
If you have a multi cell stack try turning half of the batteries around and putting every other one in backwards.+ to + or - to -. This seems to help even if the flash gets turned on by accident.
I try to buy the freshest batteries and cycle them by expiration date (now working on the 2012 year). If the maker doesn't publish their "good untill" dates, can you depend on the batteries? (I use Ray-O-Vac as they have given me the fewest problems historicly).
Enjoy!
 
Another key to batteries is keep them at room temps.

In your garage, unheated basement, or even a closet on an exterior wall that is colder will accelerate their age.
For those who keep a flashlight in a car, winter-time can eat those batteries up as the auto sits outside, or overnights in sub-freezing temps.

Warm battteries are happy batteries. If camping it doesn't hurt to keep your Mini-mag or other light in your sleeping bag, if it's Cold out.

"Is that a Maglight in your sleeping bag, or are you just glad to see me?"

:) :) :)
 
As I found out last year a swollen D cell stuck in a 3 D cell Maglite is a waste of a good Maglite.

Aside from that the batteries originally came with the Maglite and was in my car for a good 7 or 8+ years. It did work everytime I went to use it. Was cleaning out my car and decided to put new batteries in it. Low and behold the 3rd one near the top of the maglite wouldn't come out. :barf: The one in the middle was also corroded.

Oh well live and learn. I know have a Rayovac headlamp in my car now and carry a River Rock Led light as an EDC.
 
A thin coating of vaseline on threads ,O-ring and inner surface of the maglite will slow corrosion and help get a stuck battery out . It will also help keep the interior dry which helps as well .
 
I have had bad experiences with all alkalines brands I've used @ some point, mainly regarding storage (a relatively minor number of incidents considering how many alkalines I've gone thru in my 22 years). I've had lack of juice/battery leaks in lights stored longer than a couple years in a few different brands of flashlights. and like Skunk mentioned, it's especially bad in the winter. lights sometimes barely give off a glow after being stored for only a couple weeks in temperatures below freezing. here in Aroostook County, Maine, it has proven to be a bad idea to use alkalines in cold temperatures, for nearly all applications.

on the other hand, no name-brand lithiums have ever given me a problem as far as storage goes (tho I have seen off-brand lithium CR123's give me 25-30 minutes of light from a flashlight with a 1-watt luxeon that Surefire's brand gave me 60+ minutes in). I have stored lithiums for 5+ years in cool and dry conditions, and also fluctuating conditons (4-seasons in a car) and have not had any sort of failure (no leaks and no measurable effect on battery life but winter can dim lithiums too).

unless it's a go-to around-the-house light or a light that is specifically designed to use alkalines, then I would absolutely go with lithiums. never had any problems storing them. and even beyond storage, I've always seen better performance in my flashlights with lithiums. the only thing stopping me from making a complete switch to lithiums is cost.
 
SkunkWerX said:
Another key to batteries is keep them at room temps.

In your garage, unheated basement, or even a closet on an exterior wall that is colder will accelerate their age.
For those who keep a flashlight in a car, winter-time can eat those batteries up as the auto sits outside, or overnights in sub-freezing temps.

Warm battteries are happy batteries. If camping it doesn't hurt to keep your Mini-mag or other light in your sleeping bag, if it's Cold out.

"Is that a Maglight in your sleeping bag, or are you just glad to see me?"

:) :) :)
Click to expand...

Hey SkunkWerX;

Some time ago I checked with some battery manufacturers about storing batteries in frigs and freezers. They said that for most type cells, very little advantage exists from storing them in the frig.

I think the problem exists when you try and use the batteries when they're cold. If you warm them first and then use them, there should be no problem. At least, as far as I understand it, although I'll defer to people with more experience than I.

Doc
 
I put a small piece of thicker paper between the battery and the contact, so that there is no circuit.;)

In flashlights, just pop the cap, paper out, screw back on, light.

In radios, off with the cover, out with the paper, jams.

Less time to use than reversed battteries.....and less changce of dumping batteries all over to get corrected when in a stress moment. :cool:

Works great.
 
I like these little gems right here. Ironically these are super lights for the money with impressive battery life. The price indicates otherwise but I've got one and if I had not seen what it can do for myself I'd be skeptical. The batteries are more costly than the light itself when new. I buy them 25 and 30 at a time for gifts and as back ups for the one I have on me. You won't believe how bright and handy these little lights are. The one I've had personal experience with is the black plastic white light model LED keyring flashlight.

http://www.lighthound.com/sales/keychain_flashlights.htm

STR
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top