Changing Device Batteries in In the Dark..

Assembling a fine collection of battery operated outdoor devices, and of course a mains powered charger or two back at home, it wasn't until recently i discovered a problem that clearly none of the device manufacturers seem to be aware of....

When he ripe old age starts to rob us of our near vision... its gets harder to see the "Polarity" signs in all those little battery compartments... particularly in the low light of nature when they always seem to need changing batteries..

so i hit upon this handy little fix to assist...

Warning: You may want to consider holding off on any device still in warranty.... The "upgrade" didn't excite the warranty people when i had a problem with my gps ... but i suspect that's more because they couldn't "re use" the old case... rather than any real reason...

What I used;

• The device with batteries removed
• White (coloured - white)out pen (or paint and brush?)
• Rubbing alcohol or prep swab
• A large rag / tea towel
• A Scalpel
• The "new" magnification glasses / or magnifying glass

With batteries removed, take the rag and a touch of rubbing alcohol ( or prep pad) and clean up the area around all the polarity marks - and leave to dry.(Picture 1)

Now we simply highlight the polarity marks from the surrounding compartment

Because the polarity marks to tend either slightly recessed or slightly raised but always small, i found the best method was to use the paint and wipe method.

1. Using the correction pen apply the correction paint liberally over and around the Positive (+)polarity mark.(Picture 2)
2. Before the correction ink has a chance to dry, bunch up the rag and using a flat edge wipe off the surrounding paint across the mark.(Picture 3)(further tidy up can be done with a spot of alcohol on the rag)
3. Let the paint left dry, and then repeat the process until you find the mark is either "filled in" with pant or "highlighted" by the paint caught around the base.
4. Use the scalpel to clean up any excess dried paint... i didn't worry to much about this as it was all functional to me:)

I only do the Positive mark as this tends to hold on to the paint better - and is clearly all you need to know to get correct orientation.(Picture 4)

A possible enhancement - use of reflective paint, or the stuff that glows in low light?