In prison, a common cutting blade is obtained from disassembling a shaving razor. It may be small but still effective. The blade is used to cut away the outer covering near the bottom of the battery. The metal that is exposed is part of the positive terminal that you see at the top of battery cell. The new exposed metal makes a close contact point next to but not touching the negative metal plate at the bottom.

In a previous article I wrote about using a “AA” battery and a foil gum wrapper to create a flame (see Gum Wrapper Fire Method). The foil side of the strip is touched to each end of the battery thus creating a “short” that in turn heats up the paper substrate which then ignites into a flame. The same principal can be done with a much shorter and thinner foil with this modified “C” cell battery.

Most cigarette packages have a protective foil above the cigarettes and this foil can be cut into narrow strips measuring between 1/16th inch and 1/32nd inch wide and maybe 1 1/2″ long. The foil side should be pinched together at the center in order to create a hot spot before touching the foil strip to the bare battery areas. Once the strip is held in place the strip will begin to smoke and eventually ignite the paper substrate. The close proximity of the bared positive metal on the side and negative bottom plate enables this short piece to be used.

I tried a “AA” battery without success. I got smoke but no flame. In retrospect I see that I used a “D” battery shown in the photo, but apparently “C” batteries are more the norm at the prison commissary. It is important to note that a fresh battery should be used for this fire method. There seems to be an optimum balance between battery size (power) and foil width with enough paper substrate to fuel a flame. It would also be wise to hold fuzzy cotton or tissue piece next to the pinched area in order to capture the brief flame that is created. In any case it can be a fun time to experiment with different combinations to accomplish a flame and could be a life saver in an emergency situation.

Sure enough, there was corrosion around the negative terminal. I didn’t have my usual automotive tools with me so I used my multi-tool to clean it off. In the process I discovered that the wire clamp connector was actually broken. After cleaning the parts I reattached it and attached the jumper cables to see if the car would start. All that could be heard was a “clicking” sound that is often associated with faulty connections. I was hoping to use a small hose clamp to surround the wire connection but none was to be found.

Then a thought struck me… maybe a vice-grip pliers could create a solid connection between the battery post and the broken wire connector. Fortunately that tool was available. I adjusted the width and clamped it over the connection. Because the vice-grip covered the terminal I placed the negative lead of the jumper cables onto an engine bolt for grounding then I had her try to start the car again. There was an immediate improvement and after a few seconds the engine started much to our delight and relief.

So why do I share this experience? So that if you find yourself in this predicament you will be aware of this connection approach. And on this topic of car/battery related problems you might enjoy my article “Emergency Battery Boost” [https://survivaltek.com/?p=1626] that explains a battery jump trick when a single pair of cables doesn’t quite do the job. These are just two more tools in your knowledge bank when you or someone you’re helping needs to get a vehicle started and can save the day in an emergency.

It turns out that there ARE AAAA sized batteries (pronounced as “quad A”) with equivalent cells known as “LR61″s. They are 3.5MM shorter than AAAs and can have reverse polarity compared to conventional larger sized batteries. I took a voltage meter and discovered that was the case with these. So I began to think about applications for this new find and decided to test them as a replacement for a single AAA cell flashlight.

In order to make this new sized battery work I had to modify it a little. To lengthen it I added a small wad of aluminum foil to the flat end while wrapping the entire length of the cell with masking tape, making sure to surround the terminal at the other end for proper insulation. I wrapped enough tape around the circumference to match the diameter of a AAA battery so that it would not rattle and be centered properly for the flashlight connectors. As you can see by the photo, the battery works! The remaining five batteries lie beside the flashlight, along with the 9V casing and it’s parts.

This was a fun discovery and experiment but I also wondered about the significance of other applications. When you only have access to a 9V battery but have need for 1.5V cells, the dis-assembly and modification of the AAAA cells within can provide a variety of voltages when they are placed in series or strengthened when wired in parallel. If you find yourself in an emergency situation this could be valuable knowledge.

I followed the information that I was given but without success. The following week I viewed the television program “Dual Survival” where Joe used the same method using a “D” sized battery which initially failed. The hot point in the middle of the foil strip burned out and separated into two pieces. However, Joe created sparks by touching the severed ends and was able to generate a flame. There was some comfort in that achievement but I still wanted to use only a single AA battery and a single piece of foil.

Today there is a wealth of survival skill techniques and information on the Web, especially in the Social Media and after viewing a number of sites I was able to find an excellent video by GreenHHO on YouTube that was strait forward and easy to replicate, enabling me to successfully create a flame with just the wrapper strip and a single AA battery. Thus, I wanted to provide written instructions for my readers.

Items that you will need: foil gum wrapper , fresh AA battery, and a pair of scissors.

1) Take a foil gum wrapper and cut a 1/4″ wide strip lengthwise.
2) Fold the strip mid-length in half on the foil side.
3) At a 45 degree angle cut 2/3s of the width off the fold leaving 1/3 uncut that connects the 2 halves.
4) Pinch about 1/4″ at the middle while separating the 2 halves out to form a straight line.
5) Fold 1/4″ at each end in the opposite direction of the middle fold.

The folded piece of foil should resemble the “bracket” symbol.

6) Place tinder above the mid-point to capture the flame that is created when you place the AA battery between the 2 ends and touch each terminal simultaneously.

This is a marvel of sorts but it has practical applications in emergency situations, so take time to practice this fire method as it could save the day in the future.

I was disappointed at the results but I remembered that I had a hand-crank dynamo flashlight that had a 12 volt output attachment. I plugged in my iTouch with it’s adapter and voilà! the charging icon appeared and it worked. However, as is the case with so many devices like this, the batteries no longer hold a charge and so it’s lights and charging ability only work while cranking the handle. I’ll try to find a similar dynamo with new batteries to see if it has enough milliamps when fully charged to be able to charge the iTouch while it is in static mode.

There are continual improvements in technology that enable products to “run faster and jump higher”, but until I upgrade to better equipment, I know that I CAN be mobile with my phone and other small electronic devices with this hand-cranked dynamo.

Yesterday, I watched as a truck pulled up in front of a car that had a raised hood. Two men set about attaching booster/jumper cables to the batteries of each vehicle. One person sat in the truck and reved up the engine while the other person sat in the car, waiting briefly to let the car battery charge up a little before attempting to start the car. However, there was only a clicking sound, but no action. I had stepped up to the scene at this point and examined the corroded contacts. I mentioned that about 80% (or more) of battery problems stem from dirty contacts. As time was urgent, and there were no convenient tools, I suggested another approach. Because I had heard clicking, I knew that starting the car wasn’t too far from happening. At first I suggested that the clamps be placed right on the battery terminal instead of just the clamp around it. Having done that, there was no difference in results. Then I suggested that we get a second set of cables to increase the amount of electricity transferred from the truck. If both sets of cables don’t fit on the terminals, you can attach the first clamp on the terminal and the second clamp upon the first clamp. That was the trick. The car started and the driver was on his way, able to get professional attention to his battery situation.