Profitable Precycling of 12V Batteries
by Mark Ontkush, Boston, Massachusetts, USA on 08.20.07
We've noted there's been quite a rash of ripping off the public infrastructure and selling it to scrap metal dealers to make a few bucks. Sadly, even some of the most promising new technologies, such as windfarms, have been hit by the vandals. There's a word for this type of activity; it's called 'theft'. Check here to further explore the term.
But what about this; say you go into a store and buy an item, then take it home and immediately disassemble it. Next, you sell the innards for profit - it's not theft, because you bought the item. Many people are referring to this clever method of extracting value as precycling.
Case in point today is this nifty trick with 12V batteries; as the video shows, you simply split them open to reveal eight 1.5V button-cell batteries; these can cost up to $5 if purchased singly. The profit is handsome; a two pack of the 12 Volters cost $1.66, which will produce 16 new button batteries worth around $80. This guy confirmed the story for 9V cells, although it's not clear if it works for all brands; better stick with the one in the video. :: Wisebread :: xkcd
Ehhhh those are not AAA batteries........It's a camera battery
[oops, fixed mjo]
Some things to keep in mind.
First not all 9v batteries are made of AAAA's, when you rip open some of them you get a normal battery so when you do find one that is made of AAAA's remember that brand and buy them.
Second, from the looks of this 12v battery its Alkailne not Lithium which would account for some of the cost. Also remember packaging and shelf space account for a lot of the cost of a product so thats another reason those single watch battery packs are so expensive. If you want to get watch batteries cheap just order them in bulk from web sites.
I think I paid $2 for a strip of eight of the button batteries not that long ago, so at least a few retailers are on to this idea :-)
Aside from having to pry the wrapper apart, though, there's a whole lot less packaging here...