Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board How Many Batteries do I need?

Last night I was making a list of batteries that I need for my 8 day trip and was quite amazed when I added up all the gadgets and batteries needed for them to work:

Let’s see, I have:

Small flashlight – 2 AA
Petzl head lamp – 3 AA
SteriPen – 4 AA
SPOT – 2 AA

Now, I’ll need extra batteries, right? Four enough? More? Less?

Paul

The Spot will last the whole trip on installed batteries. I would suggest switching your flashlight over to a AAA type. That way you can cary less spares and rob from it if needed. ...................................DUG

If push comes to shove, you can use just the headlight or the flashlight, so they back each other up. The SPOT and the Steripen use no more than four each, and odd are not more than one of those will poop out. I wouldn't carry more than 4. Is that what you were thinking?

Something else you could do is not carry any spares, and canibalize the other batteries as needed. You won't need any of the devices at the same time except for the light, and you have two of those. Bottom line, leave the spares at home!

One of the reasons I haven't upgraded my little camera is because it runs on AA batts. I've been using rechargables, but for longer trips I make sure to take at least 4-6 of the lithium AA. They are worth the cost for the savings in weight.

That way I can justify bringing the scotch...

-L

Whatever the minimum you feel comfortable taking. Me, that would be 4 AA.

Laura, I'm bring the Jack no matter the extra weight.:D

I usually bring 4 extra AA batteries for my camera and an extra set for my headflashlight. Make sure you keep them warm. It is a real drag to let them get cold and put them in your camera, only to get "dead battery"

If you carry lithiums as spares, they are little affected by cold.

The original lithium batteries in my SPOT unti lasted for 3 1/2 months before the "low battery" warning went off (Power on indicator blinks red). This indicates that the batteries have dropped below 30% capacity remaining (if I'm not mistaken).

(I've used the unit at least twice-weekly since I first purchased the unit. It's also been on for more than 24 hours serveral times.)

Point being, unless you're doing the PCT, don't worry about having replacements for the SPOT.

And the SPOT only runs on lithium batteries!