Changing batteries?

[lex137]

How often should or do you change out your batteries on a handheld or your weapon mounted lights? I don't want to change them out to early, but don't want to wait till they die either. Searched through some threads couldn't/ lazy to find an answer. I don't use either that often either, thanks for any advice!

[JohnnyDrama]

I don't have any weapon mounted lights but I do have a little Streamlight I carry daily and use frequently. As the amount I use it varies, the battery life does as well. I usually have a spare battery and change the battery when I see it needs changing. I usually get around to some dry fire practice, as well as at least a little range time, every week (when I'm home), and I figure I could check a weapon light then too. Maybe some (or more frequent)dry fire practice is in order? I don't know if this answers your question but that's how I deal with batteries.

[gnihcraes]

alkaline or lithium or ?

I'd figure frequently on alkaline because they will go bad. Lithium, couple times a year? I'm just guess. I don't have any weapon mounted lights. :)

[bobbyfairbanks]

I changed T1 once a year on my birthday. I change tac light batteries every quarter unless they had hard use

[lex137]

I just use lithium or surefire cr123 batteries. It just says run time is about 1.5 hrs so it's hard to calculate how much time I have used them. Just wondering if people have a good rule of thumb of when they change them out...

[SideShow Bob]

I bought some cheap plastic spare battery cases, they hold 4 CR 123's each. I keep one case in my truck and another in my tool bag at work.
This way I always have 2 sets of batteries on hand to change out when I need them.

If I remember correctly, I got the battery cases of of Amazon.

[Great-Kazoo]

What ever type battery one uses the important thing to do, everyone "forgets," is date them. Quick date of install with a sharpie, removes any doubt when they were installed.

[Justin]

One method I've seen people use is to change out batteries on lights and optics at Daylight Savings Time, along with changing the batteries in their house's smoke detectors.

[Guylee]

One method I've seen people use is to change out batteries on lights and optics at Daylight Savings Time, along with changing the batteries in their house's smoke detectors.

Not a half bad idea! Better than "before every mission" like I was going to say.

[ray1970]

I change mine every other Friday whether they need it or not. Just to be safe.

[Irving]

One method I've seen people use is to change out batteries on lights and optics at Daylight Savings Time, along with changing the batteries in their house's smoke detectors.

With how much Surefire products cost, they should send out new batteries to all their customers every 6 months like my homeowner's carrier does for my smoke dectors.

[MrPrena]

As for OP's question, I haven't yet changed my weaponlight CR123 batteries for years, and it works great.
It is really difficult to predict when the batteries would go dead, because usages and capacities of batteries are all different.
Most frequent used flashlight uses rechargeable batteries, and my backup batteries are non-rechargeable (longer shelf-life).

[Rumline]

With how much Surefire products cost, they should send out new batteries to all their customers every 6 months like my homeowner's carrier does for my smoke dectors.
Crimson Trace does this once per year for their laser sights. You have to go online and request it though. Still, a nice touch.