ANY TIPS ON LONG TERM BATTERY STORAGE FOR AR ACCESSORIES?

[Trash Can Man]

I would like to know if anyone has good information for storing batteries for years,beyond their shelf life?

Not much info on Youtube.

Batteries for Red Dots are my interest now considering I'm buying one very soon.

Common batteries like AAA or AA are easy to find, but the Red Dot I want uses the CR2 which are expensive and not so redily available...so I want to stock up & store them for a SHTF / PAW Situation when they will become dfficult or impossible to find.

Right now i'm experimenting with AAA batteries stored in a 35mm film container with one cotton ball with just 2 drops of WD-40. I figure the WD-40 [water displacer] will prevent corrosion & possibly absorb water prolonging their life?

Make any sense?

Any tips would be appreciated.
Trash

 

[BHarada]

I'd store them in a sealed container with some silica gel packs or even some dried rice to absorb moisture.

I'd worry that the solvents in WD40 would eventually works its way into the battery seals (although the amount you're using is very little).

 

[JaPes]

Batteries work on a chemical reaction. Keep them in their packaging in a cool dry place. I keep a few in the fridge.

The best solution is to purchase a dot that uses commonly found batteries. Stock up on rechargeable and buy a solar charger.

OR...

Practice shooting with irons. No batteries required.

 

[oneyeopn]

the fridge works, the freezer not so good, silica gel is great and accesories that use standard batteries are great, get rechargeable and a solar recharger is one of the best Ideas I have ever heard....

 

[Maddmax]

Also. Depending on how SHTF,you can get converters that you can convert 12 volt car/truck batteries to house current. Add a solar panel and your in business for quite awhile.

 

[JaPes]

Rig a generator to run off a pedal bike. Keeping fit during a SHTF is essential. Rule #1 in surviving a Zombie Apocalypse: CARDIO.

 

[arizona98tj]

I would like to know if anyone has good information for storing batteries for years,beyond their shelf life?

The shelf life is gets you pretty close to the end of good battery life, so you aren't going to see years beyond that point with good performance. That is why they have a shelf life. For example, some Duracells I bought the other day had a shelf life of 10 years. One wouldn't expect to get much past that point in time, in my opinion....and if your life depended on it, I wouldn't want to push my luck that far. The optic on my AR-15 uses tritium and fiber optics.....no batteries needed.

 

[Shinny]

Rule #1 in surviving a Zombie Apocalypse: CARDIO.

 

[Trash Can Man]

I didn't know they made solar battery chargers, that sounds like one solution. But rechargable batteries **** out fast.

I don't think storing batteries in a fridge is a good idea,cold kills batteries.

Store in a cool,dry place yes, but not 40 degrees.

Humidity & time are their enemy.

 

[Hexer]

I have often scratched my head when I see or hear of folks keeping batteries in the fridge to extend their life. Hello.....Am I missing something?

 

[ricks1]

well cold dont save a battery. The cr2 dont last that long anyway . radio shack has them . best to get something that use the reg batteries with a cord

 

[TangoFoxtrot]

I would just keep them cool and dry in a sealed container. I have N cells(lith.) for my streamlight, they have a 10 year self life ...so they say. My optic uses CR123. Not sure how long they will last. One thing I do know for sure if the CR123's are all dead I have a great backup.....old fashion iron sight

 

[Maddmax]

I didn't know they made solar battery chargers, that sounds like one solution. But rechargable batteries **** out fast.

I don't think storing batteries in a fridge is a good idea,cold kills batteries.

Store in a cool,dry place yes, but not 40 degrees.

Humidity & time are their enemy.

Actually they have been out for years. They have profected them quite aways now. You can have a "boatload" of batteries hooked to a solar charger on the roof and run "most" of your house (depending on how many batteries and sun you have) off a converter. That's under reasonably good conditions though.

 

[Maddmax]

I have often scratched my head when I see or hear of folks keeping batteries in the fridge to extend their life. Hello.....Am I missing something?

Me too. Cold and batteries don't mix well. Cool maybe,but hot isn't good either.

 

[Maddmax]

I would just keep them cool and dry in a sealed container. I have N cells(lith.) for my streamlight, they have a 10 year self life ...so they say.

I have a great backup.....old fashion iron sight

I've got 4 or 5 years (so far) out of the Streamlight batteries and they are still good to go. I still have the good ol' back up's too. "Normal" scopes and good ol' irons.

 

[Foxtrot]

Right now i'm experimenting with AAA batteries stored in a 35mm film container with one cotton ball with just 2 drops of WD-40. I figure the WD-40 [water displacer] will prevent corrosion & possibly absorb water prolonging their life?

Make any sense?

Any tips would be appreciated.
Trash

Thats one of those logic things that seems to make sense but in the actual application doesn't really help.

First, a well constructed quality battery is not going to be affected (or at the maximum very little) by air born moisture like humidity or if they are not exposed directly to a heat source, like 100% humidity with 100 degree temps and the battery sitting in direct sunlight or hot storage area if simply sealed away in a container. They should be stored somewhere between the "standard" room temperature of 68 °F and an upper temp of 80 °F but the closer to 68 °F (but don't go below) the better, and away from heat sources. Heat and cold temps (lower than 60 °F) will kill off battery life a lot faster. Placing chemicals like WD40 around batteries in a closed container is not a good idea, liquid chemicals and fumes from them can compromise any sealing attributes of a battery over time (WD40 is an 'aromatic' chemical basically meaning it has a smell to it and any liquid chemical that has a smell to it gives off fumes which contains elements of the chemical). Besides, WD40 does not 'displace water' by simply sitting there on a cotton ball, it displaces moisture if placed on an object that has been exposed to moisture. Don't place chemicals like WD40 directly on a battery because over time it can compromise the structural integrity of the battery sealing attributes. I think that cotton ball will survive moisture, its doubtful it will provide any power for your devices but if your goal was to preserve cotton balls from moisture then you may have suceeded . If you are concerned about moisture, the only ways to protect the battery is to absorb the moisture before it affects the battery or keep the moisture from getting to the battery in the first place. Get some silica dessicant packs and place them in the storage container with the batteries....or vacuum seal the batteries using a vacuum sealer (yes, like the ones used for food) which range in price from this one at K-Mart for $24.99 to this one one at Cabelas for $149.99 (either one will do the trick). We use a vaccum sealer to seal our emergency disaster fly away kit stuff like loaded magazines and even batteries.

 

[Maddmax]

But rechargable batteries **** out fast.

You get what you pay for there too. I have one's in solar lights out front going on 3 years. I have D size for flashlight's & radios still going after 4+ years. A bit pricey,but well worth it.