This is a topic that I got into myself recently. It has turned into a bit larger project than I anticipated with a large learning curve, but I think it will be worth it in the end.
Many years ago I made an unsuccessful effort to switch to rechargeable batteries. In the end, I was dissatisfied with the low power available (compared to alkaline batteries) and the long time required to recharge them. It seemed that I was spending more time changing and charging batteries than it was worth. I also discovered that they would self-discharge just sitting on the shelf or in the device in between uses and were often dead when I needed them.
Fast forward to present day, I decided to try again. Battery technology has changed a lot, and now you can buy (expensive) lithium rechargeable batteries that rival or exceed the capacity of a typical alkaline. I have purchased several brands of rechargeable lithium batteries. Currently, I am testing the EBL brand (
https://www.eblofficial.com/) which seems to have the most power available of the brands I have seen lately. YMMV
Chargers have also improved to the point that you can recharge most batteries very quickly. I have adopted some universal ?smart chargers? [similar to these
https://batteryster.com/best-18650-battery-charger/] that work on either 110 volts or 12 volts and will quickly recharge almost any typical-sized lithium battery. Lithium batteries also retain their charge much longer than the old rechargeables.
I have recently purchased a couple of dozen lithium rechargeable batteries in various sizes such as AAA. AA, 14500 (works in single AA cell flashlights), 16340 (a rechargeable CR123A alternative), 18500 (used in various flashlights, etc.), and am currently testing them in various radios (HT?s), flashlights, and other ?camping? lights and other battery operated devices. So far the results have been encouraging. I even recharged several lithium batteries on our last campout using both a 100-watt and a smaller 20-watt solar panel just to see how long it would take each way. I was quite satisfied with the results. Overall, I am much happier with the newer rechargeable batteries than I was with the ones I tried years ago. I realize that due to the electronics included in the newer batteries and chargers there is a risk in adopting this technology, depending upon your risk assessment of what SHTF scenario might occur. Such is life. I take precautions.
I have found that some older electronic devices like a CB HT I have does not like the newer lithium batteries, but works fine on older NiMH or NiCad rechargeable batteries or on alkaline. I still have a dozen or so of various older NiMH or NiCad rechargeable batteries that I intend to use until they stop working, but I have decided that I am going to transition to lithium rechargeable batteries going forward.
Like pkveazey, I have a sizeable stock of various sizes of alkaline batteries that I intend to continue to maintain, but I am going to try to keep that inventory to a manageable level to ensure that they get used before they expire, which fortunately is a long time. They will last even longer if I am using rechargeable batteries in most devices from now on. Except for my local family of preppers (MAG), I really don?t want to become the go-to guy for batteries or recharging.
I am in the process of developing an inventory of all of my various batteries and chargers so I will know what I have and what I need. This has proven to be a tedious process, and like any active inventory, things change over time. It may be a one-time thing to develop a baseline. We shall see how long this inventory project will continue given all the other things I have going on.
