The Prepper's Guide to Caches: How to Bury, Hide, and Stash Guns and Gear by Nobody Joe & Pike T

Author:Nobody, Joe & Pike, T. [Nobody, Joe]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Prepper Press
Published: 2015-12-02T05:00:00+00:00

Speaking of Batteries

Not long ago, I would have hesitated in recommending that anyone include batteries for a long-term cache.

The shelf life of the typical household power cell just wasn’t conducive for the average cache’s function. Depending on the source, most products were limited to 2-3 years of storage before experiencing a serious decline in available energy.

Batteries also corrode, producing a discharge that might harm other items inside the container.

Recently, however, my opinion has changed.

Rechargeable batteries have become common, and the technology has greatly improved. Shelf life, if stored “empty” can be 5-10 years for quality NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) units. Combined with a solar charger, they can provide a prepper an excellent source of long-term power for smaller devices, such as flashlights, cell phones, GPS, or weapon optics.

Solar chargers are not as expensive, or as large as you might think. Recently, I purchased the pictured unit at one of those “everything’s a dollar,” stores, and have been quite impressed with its performance. It will recharge my cell phone in a single day, and while that may not sound like a huge power plant, in a survival situation, accessing a smartphone’s GPS or a stored ebook on local plants just might save your bacon.

There are also solar chargers designed for outdoor uses, such as camping and hiking. In my fictional book series Holding Their Own, the protagonist uses a folding charger based off of the Goal Zero model I have in my bugout bag. These units can get a little pricy, but having electricity when the grid is down can solve so many survival issues.

One inexpensive option is available for a few dollars at more home improvement stores. Solar landscaping lights come in all sizes and shapes. I know a few preppers who have a package of these little units to provide indoor lighting in the event of blizzard, tornado, or hurricane. Most of these products have a rechargeable battery inside.

Another new product is from the company Energizer. Their ECOADVANCED batteries claim to have a shelf life of 12 years. Now, we’re talking a usable item for a cache.

Regardless of what kind, size, of chemistry of battery you plan to cache, how you package the unit is important.

Years ago, while in the field, I experienced a failure that taught me a valuable lesson. My weapon’s optic used small “coin cell” batteries. I always stored a few spares in the blaster’s pistol grip.

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