Last weekend, I was performing my periodic battery survey, assessment and replacement ritual. I have a list of (I had thought) every battery device, and its location, along with a hidey-hole for the batteries to replace those that require them. This list, in the summer 2025 edition, runs 3 pages of 14 point type. On my yearly planner, it is slated for January. (Yes, I am aware that this is September. Let us consider the gulf between plans, and actions, shall we?)
As it developed, as I was working my way through each page, I would pass one shelf in my basement. On one of my passes, I noticed that I had a thermal camera, bought last winter so I can have some basis for triaging which particular insulation/air infiltration fail I should address and in what sequence.
It was not on the list. Powered by batteries.
Next to it sat an inspection camera, used to inspect voids such as you might see behind drywall, or on an exterior wall. Or, for that matter, where a bat might be hiding. It, too, runs on batteries. It, too was NOT on my list. Well, it used to be not on my list.
I entered my “Pooh Room” (where I keep “my pooh”), and noted that I had optics on several of my rifles. These optics required (say it along with me, now!) batteries, and, as well, had NOT been on my “check the batteries” list.
When you have a rifle in your gun safe for a couple of years, and have not taken it to the range in that time, well, as one might have wondered, the batteries die. So, I was given the opportunity to replace the batteries, and re-inventory all my spares.
Since I have various optics, some are UTG/Leapers (purchased as test-of-concept), and some are Vortex or Sig Romeos, the “how do you turn it on” drill varies from one to the other. Similarly, the turn-it-off drill varies as well. And, on one of them, the battery compartment door was immobile. That one got a dollop of gun oil, and was set aside to vex me tomorrow.
And, I have not yet checked the batteries in the lights in The Darling Wife (TDW)’s vehicle, the camper light box (home to several lanterns), nor the kerosene heater.
You cannot say I don’t know how to have a good time! (OTOH, should we lose power, at least TDW and I will not sit in the dark!)
Continuing my jolly tale of Fun! Ways! To! Spend! Days! Off!, The Darling Wife-Mark II and I were chatting, and realized I had spent around 10 (ten) hours over 5 days, and while I had recharged the radio batteries, I still had not checked our crate-o-lanterns.
This crate is intended for camping use, as well as power failure illumination. There are two “C” cell Siege lanterns, one “AA” Siege lantern, 2 Coleman Quad Panel lanterns, along with several assorted “Brand X” cheapo lanterns.
I had observed to TDW that, even considering that I had halted my battery assay incomplete, due to, ya know, going back to work, every time I turned around I identified another light/stash of batteries that I had overlooked. This even in the face of the fact that, every time I inventory batteries, I update/edit my battery list.
The most recent of these revelations happened when TDW and I went camping. When we do so, we bring our two dogs along with us. When we do so, we make it our practice to walk them.
Crazy, right?
When we walk them, we have a small flashing light on each collar, so as to allow others (say, drivers at night/during twilight, in an unlit campground) to see that something is there, and maybe not hitting that something (us, and our little dogs) would be nice.
And so (try not to get ahead of me, here…), TDW observed that the beacons appeared particularly dim, and therefore wondered if replacing the BATTERIES might be smart.
Two each, CR 2016, to be specific.
Another insight was that the thermometers in the household are, themselves, battery powered. They, as well, had gone ever so long without examination.
That examination revealed unresponsive thermometers. (we have had a run of afebrile good luck) Investigation revealed that of the three we possess, two take LR 41 batteries (which I had in stock) and one took #384 (not in inventory: presently on the way). Two thoughts strike me from this: commonality of logistics is a good thing (make sure all my thermometers take the same batteries, and have those batteries on hand), and ensuring that my battery-powered thermometers are on my BATTERY checklist, might be smarter than that which I have been (not) doing.
About The Author
Reltney McFee is an ex-paramedic, ex-ER nurse, and presently a mid level provider in a walk in clinic in Fly Over Country. He is an Amateur Radio Operator (a “HAM”). He has contributed to Personal Survival Letter/Modern Survival, to pre-hospital care magazines, and Nursing Journals. He specializes in demonstrating imperfection. (see above)
Read the full article here