Cheap Battery Storage - Question

[RAitch]

So, I've always been looking for a way to store my spare flash AA batteries in my camera bag. So far, I've been wrapping them up in bundles of 4 with an elastic. That's not ideal, but oh well.

Then I was in The Source (Radio Shack) and noticed some battery packs for home projects. There was one that holds 8 batteries so I picked a couple up.

http://www.thesourcecc.com/images/Online/27/2700387l.jpg (http://www.thesourcecc.com/estore/Product.aspx?language=en-CA&catalog=Online&category=BatteryAccessories&product=2700387)

I figure this is a neater way to keep these all together in my bag.

THE QUESTION: Since this is meant to be used as a power source, are there any issues storing the batteries in it? (NiMh and Alkaline)

I know the circuit would never be closed (unless something joined the 2 terminals on the side) but wonder if having a serial link between all the batteries would induce a flow of charge between the batteries.

Should I worry about separating the connection between batteries?



Also, what is everybody else doing to hold their several AA batts in the bag?

[kwbarnes]

I use a battery case designed to hold 4 AA/AAA batteries. The ones I have cost 99 cents (US) each. The ones I have can be seen here .... http://www.spiketronix.com/2_1_detail_e.asp?id=59
You should be able to find a similar case in a good consumer electronics store.

I bought mine at Frys Electronics. They can't export the battery cases, even to Canada (I checked their website for you). The fact that Frys can't export the cases to Canada makes me think that there must be a Canadian distributor for Spiketronix, because Frys will export some items to Canada.

I would not store batteries in the holders you have without first removing all of the connections between the batteries, and also the connections to the outside of the case. Even then I would put the holder in something else to keep the batteries from coming in contact with something metallic in my camera bag.

Ken

[*Martian]

I use a rifle ammo wallet similar to:
http://www.midwayusa.com/mediasvr.dll/image?saleitemid=539063 (http://www.midwayusa.com/mediasvr.dll/image?saleitemid=539063)


The issue I have with using a battery pack is that there is always the potential for a stray coin or other metallic object to create a short and maybe cause a fire etc. inside the bag.

In terms of storage, it would be similar to leaving batteries in a flashlight that is never turned on; there will still be some discharge over time.

[BradT0517]

Well these are what I use Well plan to use once I order them. http://thomasdistributing.com/shop/maha-powerex-4-cell-plasticbrrechargeable-battery-holderbritem-discounts-shipping-on-entire-order-p-377.html?SP_id=&osCsid=c9134dfbae242adb73b5378f111f54f4

[Jon]

I use these guys (http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?searchId=9702173&itemIndex=2&CATID=231&PRODID=67909) a bunch. Also the more expensive (but more compact for carrying in a vest) Delkin holders (http://www.penncamera.com/store/item.asp?ITEM_ID=4599&DEPARTMENT_ID=351).

[RAitch]

Funny Ken, that's exactly what I was looking for but can't find it (locally).
I heard Fry's is amazing... didn't get to check it out when I was in Cali. I CAN ship to the USA and it's no problem to go to pick stuff up.

Thanks guys. The ammo storage is pretty cool... but not as compact as I'd want. Jon, thanks for those links... also what I'm after.

I won't use what I bought. I was of course worried about the power drain (even though the batts drain by themselves) and will look for something else similar to what you guys have posted.