BATTERY BASICS
Helpful Hints from Experts
BUYING BATTERIES: KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
(NAPS-)
- If you thought using your new digital camera or portable CD player
was confusing, wait until you shop for batteries.
According to the experts at Panasonic, the company that consumers trust
for portable electronics and batteries that power them, battery shopping
can be made much simpler by following these basic tips:
Determine
what type of battery your product requires. There are three types of
batteries which are used in the majority of products: alkaline,
rechargeable, and photo lithium.
Alkaline
batteries, like Panasonic Alkaline Plus, designed to last longer than
ordinary batteries in a variety of high-tech devices, are the most
popular. The high level of power they provide makes them a smart choice
for personal audio equipment, camera accessories, and halogen
flashlights.
Rechargeable
batteries, while a little more expensive at first, will save money over
time because they can be reused hundreds and hundreds of times. These
batteries are perfect for products which continually require maximum
power - children's handheld games, portable CD players, and digital
cameras. They are not recommended for battery-operated clocks, smoke
detectors, or security devices.
New
from Panasonic are the High Capacity Rechargeable Batteries and
Auto-Off Charger. These batteries are designed to last twice as
long between charges as standard rechargeable batteries.
Photo
lithium batteries are generally used in cameras. Before you shop,
check in your camera to see if it needs a lithium battery. Panasonic
Rapid Flash Lithium Photocells provide an average of 50% more quick
flashes than previous Panasonic lithium battery models.
Know
what size battery you need When batteries were first sold, they
were all large, like today's D cells. As smaller, more portable
electronics were invented batteries were made to fit them.
Today, batteries come in all shapes and sizes, so check your product
before you shop. If you're purchasing a lithium battery, make sure
you know the model number of either the battery or the camera.
Store
batteries properly. One of the most popular places to store batteries
(the refrigerator) is also the worst place to keep them. Batteries
should be kept dry and stored at room temperature. Also, replace
all batteries in a product at the same time.
For
free brochures with these and other battery basics, send a
self-addressed stamped envelope to "Panasonic: A Special Guide to
Primary Batteries," Panasonic Consumer Battery Sales Group, Two
Panasonic Way, Panazip 7A-3, Secaucus, NJ 07094.
