Keeping the Holiday Bright

It is that time of year when you may need to make a trip to the hardware store to pick up some batteries.  More than a few of the gifts under the tree will require at least one battery to function.  So it seems like a great time to give some hints on getting the most out of these indispensable power sources.

There are two main types of batteries used in household devices and home electronics.  There are batteries that are used once and thrown away and there are rechargeable batteries.  Among the most popular of the single-use batteries are alkaline batteries.  If fact, they account for about 80% of all manufactured batteries in the US.  Worldwide more than 10 billion individual units are produced annually.  These batteries come in a variety of sizes from the popular AA and AAA cells found in the TV remote to the C or D cells in your flashlight or a kid’s toy fire truck.  You know, the one with those mind-numbing shrill sounds.

When buying alkaline batteries, don’t over think it.  In most cases going with a name brand with the lowest price will serve you well.  Store the unused batteries at room temperature.  When they are spent throw them away in the trash.  Most manufacturers have removed any mercury or other environmentally bad stuff that once made disposal a pain   Placing spent batteries in the kitchen drawer will not bring them back to life.  This was a concept that my kids never seemed to grasp.  Never try to recharge non-rechargeable batteries as only bad things can happen.

Mobile phones, tablets and other digital devices most often use rechargeable batteries.  There are many myths about rechargeable batteries. Many of these myths are a carryover from old technology.  For example, modern batteries do not have a “memory.”  There is no need to ever completely discharge them. You can charge them as often as you like.  You can even keep them attached to the chargers whenever possible and this will not at all diminish the life of the battery.  The chargers have circuits that will prevent overcharging.

Most instruction manuals suggest that you fully charge the battery before first using a new device.  This practice, while a good idea, has nothing to do with the ultimate life of the battery.  Having a fully charged battery will allow you to play with all the functions on the new device and complete all the set up without having to recharge.  It will not, however, have any bearing on how long the battery will last.