Spares when traveling?

[Qoose]

I'm going to be away from my usual place for about two weeks, and didn't want to bring some chargers. So I found myself taking the rechargeable batteries out of my lights, and tossing a few extra primaries in my bag. Mainly I don't want to lose the rechargeables or the charger, plus it would be a hassle to mess with the tangle of wires that my charger burrowed itself into.

So what kind batteries do you guys carry when traveling, and on what timeframe? I'm fairly sure that I will at least run through one set over the next two weeks, but I hope 6 extra CR123s is enough. Do you guys just stick with rechargeables and keep them in a safe place until you can get back and charge them?

 

[DM51]

As this is about batteries and charging, I'm moving it to the Batteries section.

 

[divine]

I went on a 2 week vacation a couple years ago. I think I took 12 spare cr123's.. and I didn't use them enough to change any of the batteries in any of the lights I took. :shrug:

Just take what you're comfortable with... and make sure you don't have to buy $7 CR123's from a store!

 

[Black Rose]

Are you flying or driving?

 

[Justin Case]

For CR123A lights, I bring multiple backup lights themselves as my approach to battery spares. IMO, it depends on the run time of the lights as to whether or not to bring extra cells themselves. I have some lights that draw only 0.5A at the tail, which translates to almost 3 hrs run time. If I bring 3 lights, I don't think I need any extra cells.

Alternatively, consider bringing lights that use more commonly available, and less expensive cells, such as AA, C, or D alkalines.

 

[cave dave]

I bring a travel AA charger and Rcr123 Nano-charger neither has wires. I rarely use them though. If I'm camping I go through batteries quicker but outlets are hard to come by. I have plenty of rechargeables, its rare I ever use primaries but I do keep a couple just in case.

I don't have a standard strategy, except that I always bring way more than I need.

 

[tygger]

Same here. Since the chargers are so small and light they're easy to take anywhere. I also bring a couple of primaries along just in case but haven't had to use them yet.

 

[Illum]

your most used light: keep two sets of spares
your backup light: keep one set of spares

for traveling on the bare minimum, usually I pack on two SC3s for three 2xCR123A lights

Gotta love the E2L though...if it isn't your main light then it usually renders your spare stash moot.