Quality matters: Batteries

Batteries are often overlooked pieces of equipment. A lot of people just buy the cheapest they can find, which might not be the best choice. Your electronics won't work properly if the batteries are not working properly. So it pays to have proper batteries, especially in emergency equipment. Even in not essential equipment, having leaky batteries damage your equipment is no fun either.

Alkaline batteries are cheap and common and used in many devices. My opinion about them; I hate alkaline batteries. They leak and you end up having to pry out the battery and clean the acid off your devices. Sometimes they totally ruin your equipment. I have tried multiple brands, brand names and generic ones. They all leak. They have a place in cheap (disposable) non-essential electronics, but in most cases I prefer high quality equipment. I might use alkaline when I get the with the device I bought, not after emptying them i switch to NiMH's.

For emergency equipment lithium batteries are great. Less sensitive to cold, more capacity, longer storage life, no acid to leak and weight less. Ideal for equipment you rarely use, but should be ready to use immediately. Storing batteries separately and inserting them when needed  is simply not an option with emergency equipment. They are however a bit expensive, but when you need your devices to work, they are great. Make sure your devices can handle the slightly higher current from these batteries before relying on them.

Note: If your equipment is HAZLOC or ATEX certified (and you will be using it in such conditions), check if this certification is valid when using a certain battery type.

For equipment which are used regularly I primary use Sanyo Eneloops. I have been using them since 2008-2009, without any problems. They were the first that low self discharge (LSD)  batteries that where available. LSD means they don’t discharge by them self’s when they are not in use. Allowing charged batteries stored and ready to use for extended periods. They don't leak as alkaline, are cheaper in the long run and have a higher discharge rate (you can use more powerful devices with them).

Note: I have noticed fake LSD batteries, which turn out to be low capacity regular NiMH batteries. So I recommend to buy you batteries from a proper vendor, instead of oversea's from the internet.