Batteries are helpful devices, but it’s frustrating when your battery-powered gadget stops working. Of course, batteries aren’t meant to last forever, but should they die so quickly? People use batteries for nearly everything nowadays, and wouldn’t it be nice if you could extend the life of these devices?
There are several things you can do to get the most out of them. With these tips, you won’t have to get into your car constantly for a battery run. The following are some things you can do to make your batteries last.
Switch to rechargeable batteries
One thing you can do to stop worrying about your batteries is just switch to rechargeable batteries. You will have to spend a good chunk of cash on these batteries, and you will need a charging station, but after those initial costs, you won’t have to worry about batteries again.
Now, once you make the switch, you’ll also be saving money since you won’t have to buy them again. Each charger charges the batteries differently, so make sure you read the specs. Some will charge your batteries in a few hours, while others will take a little longer. If you use batteries often for different things, then this is a good idea.
Using the fridge
It might be strange to hear, but if you put your batteries in the fridge, this will prolong the life of each battery. This trick will work for any kind of battery, especially NiMH batteries though it’ll also work for alkaline batteries.
Heat is your batteries’ enemies, so keeping them in your fridge helps. All those unused batteries you keep in a drawer somewhere should be placed in your fridge. Ideally, you could put them in a small fridge in your garage. If you can’t do that and must put them in your kitchen fridge, place them in a box so that they don’t get in the way of the other stuff you have to put in there.
Remove unused batteries
The next thing you want to do is be honest about how often you use certain devices. You probably have a few items that require batteries that you don’t use much.
It might be a chore to remove these batteries, but if you want them to last, it’s the best thing you can do. You might want to start with seasonal items you only use at certain times in the year. You also want to remove batteries from emergency gadgets. You should store these batteries in the fridge or at least a cool, dry place.
Charging correctly
All batteries are not the same. Sometimes, you have a battery that you can’t or don’t want to remove like the battery in your smartphone or tablet. These types of batteries have to be charged correctly if you want them to last a long time. You should only charge the battery when it’s low to prolong its life.
These batteries are meant to be used until they’re almost out of power. It might seem odd to wait that long before you charge your phone or tablet, but it’ll protect your battery’s health. Charging your battery improperly might damage the battery. You might notice that the battery drains faster than it did before.
Now, you know a few tricks you can use to make your batteries last as long as possible. Perhaps one day all gadgets will only use solar power, and while there are some solar options available, they aren’t too efficient yet. At least you have these tricks to help you out until things change.
