WeatherShield low power

[rosswakelin]

I finally managed to find a local source of battery holders for 18650 batteries, so I have replaced my 9V batteries with these items (batteries are easy to find, battery holders no so much so).
Seems to have worked, and battery life has stretched out again.
Thanks for the useful info everybody.

[jra]

What vendor makes your battery holders?  The ones available locally look similar to what's available on Amazon, wires/connectors seem a bit flimsy.  The Keystone holders look more substantial but I haven't found a local source for instant gratification.

[rosswakelin]

The holders are not vendor labelled, but the wires appear strong enough, and they only get touched when I need to recharge/replace the batteries.
Just remember that local for me is New Zealand.....

[TomWS]

What vendor makes your battery holders?  The ones available locally look similar to what's available on Amazon, wires/connectors seem a bit flimsy.  The Keystone holders look more substantial but I haven't found a local source for instant gratification.

I've purchased both the Keystone and these from Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FHKL3KY).  You are right, the ones from Keystone are more substantial, much better quality, but, according to the Keystone datasheet, won't accept the slightly longer 18650s with the protection circuit.  I'll admit that I didn't try them because the Keystone's I bought had surface mount tabs and, so far, I've needed holders with wires.

I did find that if I drilled out the rivet on both ends of the, ahem, 'inexpensive' ones, I could fit a 1/4" x 2-56 phillips head screw with star washers on both sides, using the head on the inside as the battery contact, that the connection reliability is much better - just make sure you use zinc plated screws to prevent electrolytic corrosion.   

Also, a short length of ribbon or even electrical tape wrapped around the battery to serve as a pull handle makes it much easier to remove the battery - otherwise it is VERY hard to remove.

Tom