What you need to know about disposable batteries

For many years, I have kept a fairly large stock of alkaline and lithium batteries. In all the common sizes of course. Everything from the little watch sizes all the way to D cell batteries, I have kept a decent stockpile. But over the past few years, I have found myself moving away from disposable batteries, and moving more toward rechargeable gear.

And by rechargeable I mean USB rechargeable. Everything from my emergency radios, to my flashlights, to even my firestarter lighters. I found myself taking out the extra batteries I kept in my Get home bag and other emergency bags. Instead, those batteries were replaced with USB charging cables.

That being said, I decided that I wanted to keep a decent stock of my disposable batteries. Although I do not focus quite so much on them now like I used to, I knew that if we ever had a grid down situation that lasted more than a few days, I may not be able to recharge all of my gear. I still have items like flashlights and radios (that take batteries) that I could use. So I decided to keep some battery powered gear around as a backup/contingency plan. I still believe in the old adage, “2 is 1 and 1 is none.”

And currently, TV remotes and smoke detectors are not yet rechargeable. So I still have a need for batteries in my daily life.

If you are stockpiling alkaline/lithium batteries and want to learn more, (or want to start stockpiling) then by all means keep reading.

Intro

Please keep in mind that this article is focusing on single use batteries. Because most of my gear is rechargeable, and my batteries are a backup should I no longer be able to recharge my gear, it wouldn’t make much sense to buy rechargeable batteries. Especially because rechargeable batteries typically have a lower shelf life.

If you are wondering what the difference is between alkaline batteries, vs lithium batteries, there are several. Both are made of different materials. Alkaline batteries use zinc and manganese oxide to generate power, while lithium batteries use lithium metal or compounds as their anode.

Alkaline

These are good all-around batteries for everyday electronic devices. They are cheaper than lithium, and do not pose a danger if damaged. They provide a high level of energy at a fairly consistent level. Because they are not considered hazardous, they are not regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation. So if you are flying somewhere, you should not have any issues taking them onto the plane.

Alkaline batteries, if stored in ideal conditions (cool, dry area) have a shelf life of 5 to 10 years. This means that you should NOT store them in your refrigerator or freezer! The long term moisture created by your fridge can damage the battery, shortening the shelf life and the available power.

Alkaline batteries work great with low-drain” devices such as LED headlamps and flashlights, toys, remote control devices, clocks and radios. Some moderate-drain items such as lights using incandescent bulbs do well with alkaline also.

Lithium

Lithium batteries are designed to last longer because they produce twice as much voltage as alkaline batteries. They make a great choice for high-tech and smart devices, and those electronics for which changing the battery can be a pain.

Lithium can withstand cold weather much better than alkaline, and they typically have a much longer shelf life than alkaline. If stored correctly, their shelf life is 10-15 years. And although lithium batteries are better for outdoor applications because they can function in lower temperatures, do not store them in refrigerator or freezer.

These batteries are ideal for high-drain devices and most moderate-drain devices. Items such as headlamps, toys, larger flashlights, etc work well with lithium. Lithium batteries also weigh less than alkaline, which could be a factor if you find yourself having to carry devices while on foot.

Lithium batteries do have a few drawbacks. The first is that they are more expensive than alkaline. Because they are more expensive to produce, they will cost you more.

Lithium batteries can catch fire or explode if exposed to extreme heat. If you have ever felt your laptop or cell phone getting warm, it was because the battery was getting too hot. If lithium batteries explode, they will then release toxic fumes into the air which could cause things like nausea, vomiting, etc. Because of this, lithium batteries are regulated, and some states have laws regarding traveling with and disposing of these batteries. So be sure to check the laws in your area.

And finally, lithium can cause some damage to low drain (and even a few moderate drain) devices. Because lithium releases so much more voltage than alkaline, some gear may not be designed for the increased power from lithium batteries. Be sure to check your gear requirements ahead of time.

Storage Tips

• I mentioned above about not storing batteries in your refrigerator. I’m not sure where this practice came from, but it is not good for your batteries. The humidity from your fridge can cause condensation, corrosion and leakage. So don’t do it. Store your batteries in a cool, dry place.
• Keep your batteries sealed in their original packaging. This helps protect them from the elements such as humidity. This also helps keep batteries from contacting each other or other metal objects. If this happens, the batteries could short-circuit and lose power.
• Keep your new and used batteries separate. Gear/items that requires 2 or more batteries work best when the batteries all have about the same power. This will help to ensure you get the maximum life from your batteries.
• I have found that buying a large bulk of batteries….like a 36 or 48 pack, may seem to save you some money and make storage more convenient. But I have discovered that it is hard to keep the batteries separated when you begin to remove some of them. I typically have batteries falling on themselves and touching, something we want to avoid to prolong shelf life and battery life. Just something to keep in mind.

Final Thoughts

So which batteries should you get? Well, ultimately that is up to you. If you are on a tight budget, there is nothing wrong with alkaline. If you prefer something with a longer shelf life, lithium might be right up your alley. To help you decide, please check out the video below. It provides an in-depth test on many different batteries. I highly recommend watching it. Editor’s note: That is NOT me in the video.

What are your energy plans should everything go to hell? Tell us about it in the comment section below!

Stay safe out there!

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