There are a few posts here about the problems in getting reliable predictions of when a device's battery is going to expire.
Folks have mentioned how the curve of lithium is pretty flat until moments before expiration, when it falls off precipitously. They have also talked about some other types (ie alkaline) they're trying in order to get a better slope in degradation.
But I can't find where anyone has circled back after some time - to actually report their findings. I'd really like to see some more anecdotal evidence over time.
For us, this problem is kind of important, as our tenants use keypad locks from Kwikset and Schlage. I have calendar reminders to check battery levels every few weeks, but this doesn't really work because in a matter of days after my last check - a tenant will get locked out because the battery went from 97% to 6% almost instantly.
I'm hoping that any of you who said you were going to try some other battery types a while back can share your long term results from such an experiment. Thanks!
I use Energizer lithium exclusively (for all coins and AA/AAAs)-- they may be pricier, but I know quality will never be an issue.
For locks, those batteries get replaced annually in an abundance of caution -- I've had smart locks for 8+ years now, and none have died in less than a year.
Every other device is fly-to-failure, since none of them are critically essential... I totally gave up trying to game & track battery %s, and now just rely exclusively on Device Activity Check to tell me when something is dead.
I do track when I last replaced the battery in each device -- that record tells me if a certain device is chewing thru batteries too fast (which is admittedly a gut call), so I at least have some way of knowing if I have a sus device.
Actually I keep one in the garage, our lock is between the garage and the house. I realize having a 9v is an unlikely occurrence, however they provide the option.
