Many thanx for everyone’s input. I already do use a battery tester and visual inspection 1-2 times a year. I also keep an extra set of akalines in a plastic zip-loc , as a backup.

Digesting all the input, I’ve decided not to go to rechargeable. It would be OK for my and my wife’s flashlights, but less access for my grown kids, who safety equipment I still attempt to monitor. ( sigh )

The idea of using Heavy Duty Batteries with alkaline back-ups is interesting. Does anyone know which brands are true carbon vs alkaline batteries?. Does it say so on the battery cases?

I also liked the idea of using either AA or CR-23s s with spacers instead of akalines. Anyone know we’re or what to Google to find such spacers ?