Just musing!

[Boomyal]

The older I get, the more I hate to waste things. It seems that I am always trying to figure out ways to use things to their last drop. For example, I prop up each emptied oil can over the next one and let it drain to the last drop. Paper towels, ooh, I hate to use a paper towel for something that does not destroy it or significantly dirty it. So I always hang them out to dry and put them in a pile where I can used them for greasy jobs.

The case that brought me to this post, is batteries. For years we have used a fair number of batteries to power various devices throughout the home. I always have a bucket that I toss them in. I usually always check the remaining voltage before I toss them.

D, C, AA, AAA batteries will start out at about 1.6 volts. Most implements that use them will usually cease to function when the voltage drops to between 1.35 or 1.25 volts.

This means that you are disposing of batteries that have between 85% and 80% of their juice left. What an incredible waste. There is no apparent way to use them up to their 'last drops'.

There ought to be away that you can suck a battery dry, and maybe store or recycle the remaining juice, before you have to discard the carcass.

Just sayin'!

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Just musing!

Invest in rechargeables. Then you can keep using them over and over. Or use the old ones in incandescent flashlights because they keep working until they are pretty much used up.

 

[dolluper]

Re: Just musing!

Ever try linking 2 battery's
together,many holders for 4 battery's so you end up with 2 dual set-ups.....a little awkward but powers the 2 battery devices easy

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Just musing!

Ever try linking 2 battery's
together,many holders for 4 battery's so you end up with 2 dual set-ups.....a little awkward but powers the 2 battery devices easy

I guess if I were stranded on a desert island, that would be a good trick to get a little more use out of them, but still, you might fry your device. 2 x 1.25 volts = 2.5 volts. That might be a wee bit hot for some delicate electronic items.

I know there is no practical solution. Having a remote battery pack for my LED belt flashlight would be a little awkward.

It was just one of those 'life is sometimes not fair' rants.

As far as rechargeables, I have never had any good luck with them holding up, besides they do not last (between charges) near as long as an alkaline batteries.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Just musing!

On the batt subject. Do not confuse voltage with current (load). In order to check the state/charge of a battery it needs to be under load.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Just musing!

On the batt subject. Do not confuse voltage with current (load). In order to check the state/charge of a battery it needs to be under load.

How do you do that?

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Just musing!

Put a load on the battery like say a flash light bulb and measure the battery voltage when trying to power the light.

 

[jkust]

Re: Just musing!

We used to go through AA's like mad with all the kid's toys and xbox remotes plus a camera. It just became unreasonable to not go to rechargeables. We've had some of the rechargeable AA's for several years on end getting recharged a lot.