So it should be perfectly clear at this point that I have some battery issues.  That’s why you understand why I was weeping with gratitude in the arms of the associate from BatteriesPlus. Much to his surprise.

My issues actually go way beyond the never ending loading and unloading of heavily secured battery compartments in talking toys. It seems like everything in our house has batteries, and that entropy makes most of it’s headway into our home via the rechargeable components.

I’ve often scoffed at the BatteriesPlus sign as I drove by. “BatteriesPlus, feh.  It’s called ‘Costco.’  It’s called ‘Radio Shack.’ BatteriesPlus.  Please.”

But after ten minutes in the store, I was eating those words faster than Zhu Zhu Pets gobble AAAs.

I had three non-child-related battery problems that were causing me real headaches.

Owen Lost the Power Source to My Video Camera

About three years ago, we decided we would do an experiment with an unnamed DadLabs Dad.  We sent him home with my Canon ZR85 digital video camera. It came back is good shape, except with a dead battery and no charger.  We tried for several weeks to find the charger, even looked for aftermarket chargers with no success.  There ended the experiment for several years. But last week, along comes Pogue with his scary talk about data rot and the end of digital tape.

Which has scared me into action, resolved to import and store all my DV tapes.

Time to solution: 6 minutes (New Charger)

I Can’t Get in My Car

Push to Start is nifty and all, until the battery in your key fob doesn’t work. You can get the thing open and started but things have to be pried off, and it’s not pretty.  It’s especially annoying when your Mazda 6 is only 16 months old and the lame warranty only cover the key for a year.  Replacement would be $10+ and required a time-suck visit to the dealer.

Time to solution: 4 minutes (New Battery Installed)

My Garmin in on Life Support

Ever since I bought my nuvi 660, I have worked hard to shut down all brain function related to orientation and navigation.  So when it stopped working when not plugged in, that caused some stress to my kids. My call to Garmin was completely annoying. They pulled an Apple, letting me know that replacing the sealed battery would cost as much as buying a new unit.  Since I had just paid about $80 to upgrade my maps I was pretty pissed.

Time to Solution: Overnight (New Battery Installed)

I spent some money, about $80 in all, but the other solutions I was considering would have cost at least double, maybe triple that amount.  The associate was competent and ultimately efficient (I suspected he must be at least part owner of the franchise).  As a busy dad, when I come across a place that offers this much value and effectiveness, I’m a loyal customer.  I have a new category killer in solving electronics headaches.