Twice a year, for valid safety reasons, many households change the 9Volt alkaline batteries in their fire alarms. What do they do with the now used batteries be they A3,A2, C, D or 9V? On average, 40% that is 4 in 10 alkaline batteries which are thrown in the garbage are at 75% – 100% power remaining.
Save up to $600 per year
If you have a family member playing video games, by the hour per day, battery re-purchasing can become very expensive. One family I’ve learned, their son’s gaming costs about 50$ per month or 600$ per year! Many devices do have a “battery power remaining calculator. At 75% remaining power, the battery powered gaming device becomes inoperable..
For a meager purchase under twenty dollars 20$, a Battery Multi-tester can be purchased at local hardware stores. With 9V’s at 8$ ++ each or a multi-pack of D’s – at 20$, it doesn’t take but a few times using the multi-meter tester before hundreds of dollars are saved annually, per family!
A second and very interesting statement common to all alkaline’s batteries is the caution on every label: “Do NOT recharge, may explode!” A year ago I did an internet search and purchased an Alkaline Battery / NIMH RECHARGE unit. I’ve since recharged hundreds of all sizes of the alkaline’s, being careful to follow instructions. In my tests, I’ve recharged the Alkalines back to 90% 9 times, though 5 is the recommended limit. I have recharged 100’s of the “Do Not recharge” batteries. I conclude that the “explosion” is when they will occasionally break / leak. Definitely NO KABOOOM!
Lithium Batteries
Lithium Batteries, do require more careful handling and disposal! Only use a Dedicated Lithium Recharge system. Used Lithium Batteries should have one end / terminal taped over and taken to a certified battery recycling facility.
What does one do with the used / still powered batteries! Be Creative. Arrays can become 6, 9, 12 volts. I’ve learned how to make simple multi-battery cradles. These are used to power up small re-cycled computer fans. The powered fans (6) move warm air from the wood stove to rooms in the house, down the hall. The materials cost per array would be about 5$.