I was looking for some kind of battery organizer to allow storage of my batteries... and most importantly, I wanted some process to I know which batteries are fresh and fully charged, which ones are depleted, etc. Didn't like what I found off eBay.

The only intelligent idea I came up with was to drill holes though a piece of wood (haven't measured my AAs/AAAs yet). I guess I could get away with four rows of 10 batteries... one row for charged AAs, one for charged AAAs, one row for depleted AAs and the last one for depleted AAAs.

Any other ideas ? Is my perfectionism getting in the way of doing things in a simpler way here ? <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

For AA's I buy the small plastic tubs of Rayovac AA's with the locking flip-top and save the tub when the batteries are used up. Then I use the tub(s) to store my NiMH rechargables. Though I tend to prefer Duracell and Engergizer, I like the Rayovac tubs.

For the alkaline batteries I usually just store them in their original containers on a shelf since the packaging has the use-by date (though I usually ignore that). For checking batteries I used an old battery meter I got from Radio Shack a loooong time ago. I'll bet they sell similar devices that are a fraction of the size these days.

Ken K.

I have some cheap little boxes from Maplin (in the UK) that store either 4 AAs or 4 AAAs, shaped inside to prevent them moving around. I just label these as appropriate.

eeph

Here are some links to ones I've eyeballed. Haven't made any purchases, but I like the idea of keeping my batteries warm and dry.

http://www.lighthound.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=158

http://www.inanycase.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=BATT

http://www.nimhbattery.com/batteryholder-index.htm

http://www.greenbatteries.com/batteryholders1.html

Green Batteries has a wooden holder as you described. Please let us know what you get and how it works out...

I like the AA hard shell cases with the little slots for the cells. I just put in charged cells with the positive ends facing upwards, and discharged cells with the positive end downwards. I also have enough primary cells around that I don't worry too much if my NiMH cell stash is charged or not. If I need some charged ones I just charge some.

I tried a lot, everything from plastic boxes, to soft cases to wood, etc. I've recently switched to the new low self discharge NiMH so now I only need to store charged batteries and have switched to sort of dedicating batteries to gear by keeping spare batteries with gear rather than keeping all the batteries in one place.

I am not a big fan of rechargable batteries, for several reasons. So I buy my batteries at Costco. Kirkland brand AA's come plastic sealed four to a pack, Duracell AAA's come four to a little box. The C-123's I have (they were bought online, Costco doesn't have them. Yet) came two to a little bitty ziploc bag. The batteries that are going in my daypack, glovebox, where ever, get the purchase date written on their container, that way I can kindasorta keep track of their freshness...

I had quit with rechargebales for a few years but the new breakthrough I've went back to them as they now work as they should have all along.

Go to any decent Gun shop - go to the reloading supplies area, and you'll find a variety of cases intended for bullets, but they will fit AA and AAA cells.

Great idea! I'll bet that .357 mag would hold AAA's, and .45 LC AA's...

My method is cheap and easy. I get a ranger band ( bicycle inner tube ) cut a piece about an inch wide and slip 7 or 8 batteries in there. Works like a charm.

For some reason I can't get inline pictures so I uploaded it as a file.

I got something similar to these off eBay for organizing my various batteries in my SAR kit:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Battery-Cases-for-AA...1QQcmdZViewItem

Hey OBG,

FWIW...keep an eye out in Costco. Our local store now has Kirkland AAA & AA.

Only took about 5 years too long, but better late than never.

Comanche7

I've just ordered some of these case sets, a set of 4 for $2.50 delivered. I'll let you know how they work once they arrive from Hong Kong.

BTW, whoever put up a post with the DealExtreme link it, you're a baaaad person. Now I'm hooked on the darn site... like Costco for tech freaks.

Try the BATUCA cases at InAnyCase.com. These cases fit AAA, AA, CR123's and CR2's. They are set up to differentiate between good and used batteries.

Batuca cases are great, especially for AA and CR123. You can put in AAA's but IMO they're too loose. For home storage the Akro Mills clear storage dividers work really well. Small but maybe important detail, the plastic dividers are all rounded and smooth so when you pull out a battery it doesn't cut up your fingers like the Plano and other clear cases do.

http://www.akro-mils.com/home_office/subcategory_display.asp?id=52

Used to take scrap lumber and drill a row of holes, glue on a cap over the holes and rip it about 3/4 the way up. Pretty handy for AAs, AAAs and CR123s. A bit bulky but still good for Cs. Less good for Ds.

Ten AAs fit in a 10" length of 5/4. They keep the batteries entirely separate and well protected. Once made you can screw the unit to any vertical surface, I used to have a set screwed to the inside of my truck box, and they can also be used as carriers.

You can rig a latch or simply wrap a bit of inner tube around the units to keep the top on. Mounted vertically the tops stay put as long as there are a couple of batteries inside.

I bought mine of off of County.com for my AA's they work great.

I kind of like the looks of this one. Might be able to sort--charged ones on top, depleted ones on bottom...
http://www.toolsaviation.com/html/caddy.htm

I just took my son shooting today. I have a 1931 Mexican Mauser chambered in 7x57. We used Federal "Blue Box" ammunition. When I came home I thought I would try to see if an AAA or AA battery would fit in the shell holder from the box. The AA didn't fit at all. The larger hole for the cartridge body is too large for the AAA. But, the smaller one that the bullet/projectile goes in holds the AAA very snugly. I could cut away what isn't needed. Since my camera went on the fritz I'm afraid I can't post a picture.