How to Substitute Battery Sizes in a SNAP

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Substitute battery sizes in a SNAP

How to Substitute Battery Sizes in a SNAP

Out of AA batteries? Substitute them with AAA's instead!

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Step 1 of 6
Okay, I'm trying to put on a kids show for the frantic toddler but the remote is not working. I'm even trying the idiotic method of pressing the buttons harder!

Okay, I'm trying to put on a kids show for the frantic toddler but the remote is not working. I'm even trying the idiotic method of pressing the buttons harder!

Step 2 of 6
Surprise surprise...my teenager emptied the remote and stole the batteries for his XBOX headset.  I'll fix him later ;)  No AA's on hand.  Just AAA's.  What to do?

Surprise surprise...my teenager emptied the remote and stole the batteries for his XBOX headset. I'll fix him later ;) No AA's on hand. Just AAA's. What to do?

Step 3 of 6

I remembered seeing a trick on Pinterest. Let's see if it works.

Step 4 of 6
Supplies

Supplies

Step 5 of 6
Install the incorrect size, but place a small ball of foil at the positive end of the batteries.

Install the incorrect size, but place a small ball of foil at the positive end of the batteries.

Step 6 of 6
Works!!  Happy toddler once again.

Works!! Happy toddler once again.

Start Over

56 Comments
Supplies

AAA batteries

Aluminum foil

Alicia Orellana

I'm so trying this.

Alicia Orellana last month

Diana Christian

Argh! ☺ Flip that last thought.

Diana Christian 2 months ago

Diana Christian

Good idea for a quick fix. My problem is usually on the opposite end though. We always have AAA's when we need AA's! Lol

Diana Christian 2 months ago

Amy Prim-prijatel

Word!! Happy NEW 2013 to WHO EVA THOUGHT OF THIS AWESOME IDEA!;)

Amy Prim-prijatel 5 months ago

Michael Mitchell

Cool I'm am learning so much with all these wonderful tips. Thank you for sharing

Michael Mitchell 5 months ago

Mike Lazier

Nice trick, now I can use my Xbox controller :) thanks lol

Mike Lazier 7 months ago

Darcy Johnson

Wow! Great pics and I love your sarcasm! This is a necessary trick to have in every Moms arsenal! Thanks for your time to post this guide! You did an awesome job!

Darcy Johnson 8 months ago

Arash SeliLover

Whoa! Great Idea !!!

Arash SeliLover 9 months ago

Erin Sales

Genius!

Erin Sales 9 months ago

Jim Kopf

I'm with Al M. I'm not comfortable this is safe. I think a short could happen if jarred. They could get HOT.

Jim Kopf 9 months ago

Cammy Peets

Thats amazing

Cammy Peets 10 months ago

Karen Griffin

Great tip in a pinch! Thanks for sharing.

Karen Griffin 10 months ago

Stephanie Evans

Great tip, thanks.

Stephanie Evans 10 months ago

Al Monteiro

For emergencies only! Not safe! Not to be used as a rule of thimb or everyday life solution.

Al Monteiro 10 months ago

30.com W....

Good to know thanks!

30.com W.... 10 months ago

Helen Mataki

Thanks great for emergencies

Helen Mataki 10 months ago

Amy Jones

Amazing thanksβ€πŸ‘

Amy Jones 10 months ago

TC Dixon

That's Brilliant great share

TC Dixon 10 months ago

Britton Lees

Wow! Learn something new everyday. Thanks!

Britton Lees 10 months ago

Jens Carlander

GREAT tip!

Jens Carlander 10 months ago

Tawnya Marie

Now that's awesome! Talk about smart!

Tawnya Marie 10 months ago

Rachel Jude πŸ’‹

This always happens for my Wii remotes! Thanks for the tip!

Rachel Jude πŸ’‹ 10 months ago

Sandi Masori

Brilliant!

Sandi Masori 10 months ago

Peggy D

Thanks! Always seem to have the opposite of what I need.

Peggy D 10 months ago

Dominique O'Mahoney

I'm never buying AA again! Nothing I use with batteries requires much power. Awesome guide!

Dominique O'Mahoney 10 months ago

Armando Flores

Mind blown

Armando Flores 10 months ago

Edgar Aquino

Awesome !!!

Edgar Aquino 10 months ago

Zubair Momin

Simply Cool...

Zubair Momin 10 months ago

Barbara Wells

That's an awesome trick. Thanks

Barbara Wells 10 months ago

Brandon Curran

All my remotes are AAA :(

Brandon Curran 10 months ago

TJay InOz

Fantastic!

TJay InOz 10 months ago

David Brazil

Nice one. I'll have to try that myself.

David Brazil 10 months ago

Sam Grossberg

Brilliant!

Sam Grossberg 10 months ago

William Hash

Amazing...lol

William Hash 10 months ago

Jennifer Horrocks

@ heidi re: 6 AA batteries, I tried this technique on a unit that required 4 batteries and it was unsuccessful, too much movement within the compartment. This is meant to be a temporary fix until you can pick up more AA's :)

(author) 11 months ago

Heather W

If you have one battery then just replace the other with tinfoil.

Heather W 11 months ago

Heidi Feldman

I've just ONE question I just thought of.... If for any reason we end up w/out a battery we need, will using the one and only famed Aluminum foil work just as well without the addition of a single battery into the gizmo? Someone made a comment about 'leaky' something.... Just what leaks? Is it battery acid? It's highly corrosive I would imagine? Always think positive, no matter what kind of day you're having, look up and have a nice bright genuine smile when one or more walk past you... A great pick me up moment for all parties involved! Be happy as you're the one and only who can change and be a happy, positive, productive individual! Think positive! It goes a very LONG WAY! πŸ˜ƒ

Heidi Feldman 11 months ago

Heidi Feldman

I saw I typed a bit... It was taking way too long for it to post... So I was about to delete the original one and then just divide it half way in 2- separate posts... But after I added the first part of original post, only then did I see the original post in its entirety posted through. Please forgive the repeated post. My apologies. Alrighty! Think Positive! Be Happy! And most certainly ALWAYS smile whenever one walks by... No words need to be exchanged! A smile to others is priceless and highly contagious! It's a wonderful feel good moment! πŸ˜ƒ

Heidi Feldman 11 months ago

Heidi Feldman

Can this be done for gizmos that need more batteries? Say, we need 6 double A's, but only found I've got 3 of them. So for a temporary fix, would I be able to use 3 of the Double A's and 3 Triple A batteries? The Reynolds aluminum foil can be any kind? And I am assuming the aluminum foil must be folded or rolled to it it's own compartment purely to avoid the contact from foul to foil?

Heidi Feldman 11 months ago

Angela Gladding

You just changed my life, thank you.

Angela Gladding 11 months ago

Syd Kowall

Nice temp fix. AAA batteries don't have the same power capacity as AA's do. So they won't last as long.

Syd Kowall 11 months ago

Gustavo Torres

Nice tip! Now I have my wall clock running again!!

Gustavo Torres 11 months ago

Jennifer Jenkins

Lol sweet. I always thought there had to be a way to do this but didnt know how or what to try. Thank you. Im gonna try it.

Jennifer Jenkins 11 months ago

Emma Kahlke

So happy. I always have to go down to the corner store and get the batteries..!

Emma Kahlke 11 months ago

Heather Rettberg

Sweet!

Heather Rettberg 11 months ago

Ryan Kruspe

Just know that youre using a smaller battery which means the capacity is smaller. The life of the battery will be shorter. I also advise making the foil wads as compact as possible for conductivity sake. Also the same sizes otherwise you get uneven currents and possible battery leakage.

Ryan Kruspe 11 months ago

Mark Henderson

Oh what a fun true guide! Thanks for this!

Mark Henderson 11 months ago

Charlotte Lundgren

OMG it works... TY

Charlotte Lundgren 11 months ago

Erica Kefah Legaux Abdullah

Cool!!!!!!!!!!!!

Erica Kefah Legaux Abdullah 11 months ago

Emily Jensen

There is no amps in batteries to hurt you so you'll all be just fine lol =]

Emily Jensen 11 months ago

Jennifer Horrocks

We're all alive and kicking here still ;)

(author) 11 months ago

Johnney King

y danger behind this? possible remote explosion?

Johnney King 11 months ago

Johnney King

Can you really? Is there ant

Johnney King 11 months ago

Heather W

You can also replace one battery for a big stick of tin foil.

Heather W 11 months ago

Heather W

Why?

Heather W 11 months ago

Tabitha Moe

I want to try this. But it seems dangerous :/

Tabitha Moe 11 months ago

Eli Jones

Gotta say it's amusing to know its not just me also haha...

Eli Jones 10 months ago

Gustav S

So we all do it huh? I thought it was just me, that's a relief!

Gustav S 11 months ago

Karen Larard

I do that too 😝

Karen Larard 11 months ago

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Tom Dickson

Better to put the aluminium balls at the negative ends to avoid shorting between positive terminal and battery casing.

Tom Dickson 10 months ago

Mark L

Be careful that the aluminum does not touch the other contacts or batteries at all or you can short-circuit them

Mark L 10 months ago

G J

Oooh. I wouldn't do that. leaky battery city.

G J 10 months ago

Be first to comment on Step 6.