Battery Hacks to Save You Money and Time

Everyone has experienced it. You pick up a flashlight, hand-held game or other electronic device. You’re expecting it to work. But it doesn’t.

No big deal, right? You just head into the kitchen and open the drawer where you keep your batteries.

But there are none left. Or maybe you find a couple, but they’re dead too. And you wonder why someone put them back in the drawer.

And now you realize you’re going to have to drive to the store if you want to use that flashlight or TV remote.

Testing, testing

Fortunately, there are some battery hacks you can learn that will make your batteries last longer. And save yourself time and money. And there’s no better time for saving money and avoiding trips to the store than now during this health crisis.

I’m going to let you know about several of these hacks today. But – spoiler alert – I’m saving the best one for last.

For less than $10, you can acquire a battery tester. This will come in handy when a device with multiple batteries stops working. Test each battery to see if it’s working. Then replace the one that isn’t pulling its weight.

If you don’t have a tester, drop two batteries from about two inches above a hard surface. The one that bounces higher is the dead battery.

Rub and remove

If all you need is a little more juice from a battery, try this. Rub the connection points.

No, that won’t recharge your battery. But it just might remove any gunk that is partially blocking connectivity.

Another way to save battery life is removing those batteries from items you’re putting into a storage container.

If left alone for several months, those alkaline batteries could leak. And that could damage your device. As well as make the batteries worthless.

Food for thought

Did you know you can make a battery out of a lemon or a potato? Sounds weird, but it can work.

Stick a galvanized nail (coated in zinc) into your lemon or potato, as well as a copper nail or wire.

Connect a voltage meter to both the copper and zinc. The meter should show a small amount of electric current. The lemon or potato provides the electrolytes, which are needed for the process because they possess an ionic solution.

You can do this with just about any fruit or vegetable. Including carrots and oranges. Find online videos explaining this process more thoroughly than we have room for here.

Man, that’s cold

Some people say storing batteries in a refrigerator or freezer will prolong their lifespan. The jury is out on this one.

On the one hand, it makes sense. Alkaline batteries will discharge at 2 percent per year when left at room temperature. Colder temperatures slow that discharge.

But the amount of discharge is so small that many people don’t think it’s worth it. Especially because it’s easy to forget the batteries are stored there.

The folks who make Energizer batteries say this. “Storage in a refrigerator or freezer is not required or recommended for batteries produced today.”

Size doesn’t matter

What if you have batteries but they’re not the right size? Well, there’s a way around that as well.

For example, to turn a C battery into a D battery, simply place three quarters against either the negative or positive end of the C battery.

How about if you need AA’s but all you have is AAA’s? In that case, crumple up some tin foil to complete the connection.

Cutting open a battery can also do the trick. Inside a 9-volt battery are six AAA’s. And inside a 12-volt battery are eight 1.5-volt batteries.

Recharge and reuse

Above I’ve listed some reliable ways to make your batteries last longer. They will work and save you some time and money.

But there’s an even better way to extend the life of your batteries. And that’s by purchasing AA batteries that you can recharge over and over again.

How many times have you had to run to the store because an electronic device stopped working and you realized you were out of batteries?

Rechargeable batteries will power up everything your traditional batteries have charged in the past. Including flashlights, radios, remotes, small electronics and toys. You name it – these batteries will charge it.

Up to 500 charges

I’m talking about the 4Patriots USB-Rechargeable AA Battery Kits.

Instead of charging your devices that take AA batteries, simply charge the batteries themselves.

In fact, you can re-charge them up to 500 times! This kit is easy to use and charges with any USB port or the included USB dock.

The protective, clamshell case can be taken anywhere you go. So, you can recharge your batteries no matter where you are. At home or on a road trip. Or while camping or fishing.

Environment-friendly

In addition to saving money with rechargeable batteries, you’ll be helping to save the environment.

Many people toss their old batteries into a trash can. But as you can imagine, they do not break down in a landfill.

These single-use batteries are terrible for the environment. By using rechargeable batteries, you’ll be disposing of them far less often.

So, you’ll be saving time and money, plus the environment. You may never have to buy batteries again.

Learn more about these reliable AA battery kits here