I too am searching for a good way to power the C/D devices (lights for the most part) and really have had bad luck with corrosive battery failure. I've changed out all the AA, AAA and 9 volt stuff with lithium cells and have had very good luck with that.

I lost a several flashlights and a couple of other devices to corrosive battery failure and managed to rescue only one light which prompted my total switch over to the lithium choices. I've considered using rechargeable C/D cells but don't find a lot of choice or good information on that so I'm still "looking" for good ideas.