rechargeable batteries VS primaries

[Admin]

I think this is a subject of particular importance on a Zombie Forum.

Rechargeable batteries provide much better overall cost/value ratio, and generally, better performance than primary batteries do, however, they might be hard to find replacements or charge when things start going bad.

Primary batteries provide consistency and can be easily acquired as long as regular suppliers are around (and things like AA and D cells will be more common than thing like 123 size cells)

I like the idea best of a light that is flexible, something that can run from a rechargeable lithium ion battery (normally 3.7 volts) or primaries.

Things that might work:

A light that can take a 14500 lithium ion rechargeable might be able to take AA cells as well (though, no guarantee's unless it's stated as such in sales literature) and some lights can take an 18650 cell or 3xAAA cells with an adapter.

I think that I want to have the most flexibility possible, and I generally want a light that I'll always have with me, rather than one that's slightly better, but far less convenient, and therefore I might not carry!

I'll be adding more to this post as time goes on, but for now, those are my thoughts.

[Tony]

Any chance we could get more info on the rechargeables you're talking about?

[OVERKILL]

 I definitely like the idea of dual power sources, kinda like a saa clone in 45 Colt with a second Cylinder in 45 ACP, things like that have always seemed like a smart idea and a
near necessity in survival/disaster situations. Any ideas on recharging batteries during a zombie infestations when the grid is down?

[Tobias]

Not to jump in where I wasn't invited, but I think a 12 volt inverter would be a handy thing to have for lots of things, you could use it to run your 110 volt stuff for short periods whenever you came across an abandoned car, just hook up to the battery.

The inverter would be great for doing things like charging batteries, where the reduced storage of the old car battery wouldn't matter since it would just be transferring energy to the other batteries.

Speaking of abandoned cars, you could use the alternators to create make-shift power generators using wind or water power...

[OVERKILL]

 Don't feel like you're unwanted Tobias, as far as I'm concerned anybody is invited to share knowledge. You jumped in with good ideas and I'm sure people other than myself found it useful. Any more info or links on building a generator?, might be of some use in a non post apocalyptic world as well.

[Tobias]

Right now Im on my iPhone, so long typed out replies are difficult, so you might want to check google, there's a lot of people smarter than me doing that kind of stuff, old issues of mother earth news have good stuff like that too

[Thumper]

yeah what he is talking about is very simple. car battery inverter and an alternator would make 110 house hold power. could hook up the alternator to a weed eater and run it for hours on next to no fuel.

[bruce]

you can wire up a car battery to an actual inverter, like the kind you get for your cars cig lighter of power point, probably have to use the actual power point jack itself, a fuse to keep it safe and you can run small electrics like battery chargers for lengths of time easily. all you will need is to harvest some car batteries, should be easy with all the non-moving vehicles around. you can keep them going quietly in your fortification. Quiet is the key during the initial infestation or outbreak. fortify your home and keep quiet. if they don't know you're there, they likely won't bother you or your home.

[¥ Killer Juggalo ¥]

So... i would basically say that rechargable batteries are good but to stock up on regular batteries as well... for those times...

[†CrimsonKing†]

I would stock up on one set of rechargables and get about three packs of whatever batteries the flashlight needs. Use up the rechargables and start on the primaries until i find a usable power supply.

[zombiekilla123]

 I would use neither, I have a shaker flash light so I just shake it, Or get a crank light.If I had to get batteries I would want rechargables but city power wont last long so soon there will be no power to charge them with.I would also have norm. Batteries just in case. I would also have a extra flashlight on my Shotgun for when I need it @ night!

[zombiekilla123]

rechargables b&%&*

[viwerty89]

Solar powered battery charger. everyones problem is solved!