On 10/2/2015 11:42 PM, ItsJoanNotJoann wrote:

Experience has taught us that *this* is what works best for us.
We don't "discover" the filter needs to be replaced and then
"discover" we don't have a replacement on hand. Instead, we
treat it like any other "scheduled maintenance" item and
replace it on *our* schedule (instead of *its* schedule) so
we always know when we will *need* replacements.

I don't "discover" the filter needs to be changed. Remember,
I said I write it on my calendar.

We don't need to "write it" -- just remember to replace it the first
of *every* month.

Also, I DO keep spare
filters on hand, just like I keep spare batteries on hand
for the smoke detectors and those batteries are also used
for clocks and remotes.

Our clocks and remotes use AA or AAA batteries. As do many of
our flashlights, "digital" magnifying glasses, cordless keyboards
and mice, etc. So, those are all outfitted with rechargeable
NiMH cells while a set of 4 of these remains in a charger at all
times (if any device's "batteries" falter, throw *those* in the
charger while taking the ones *from* the charger for the device
in question). If more than 4 cells fail at the same time,
we'll be inconvenienced for an hour or so while the charger
tops off those "other" cells. Four "extra" cells to support
all those devices (instead of a package of 20 "spare" alkalines.

Everything else uses some sort of "specific" rechargeable battery:
the PDAs, cordless phone, cell phone, gyromouse, UPS's, iPods,
BT earpieces, electric wheelbarrow, cordless vacuum, cameras,
the oversized flashlights with built-in chargers and various
scientific instruments.

[We have a LOT of battery powered devices, here. With batteries
ranging in size from fingertip to "car battery" and costs from
pennies to hundreds of dollars. Hence the BIG appeal of *rechargeable*]

This leaves the 2 maglites (3xD cells), the coleman floodlight
(8xD), the "CMOS batteries" in the computers and keyfobs, and the
smoke/CO detectors (9V).

With three of these flashlights (not counting the ones that are
miniature suns), one can always treat two as "spares" in the event
that the batteries in one die -- off to the store at our leisure!
Computers and key fob batteries fail so very infrequently and with a
significant warning so picking up another "coin cell" is no big deal.

That leaves the smoke/CO detectors -- which have the annoying trait
of "complaining"/annoying *when* they die. Simply don't *let* them die!