I’ve got to apologize for constantly derailing threads…
Back on the topic at hand, I have 3 to 5 lights that have fully charged cells in them. The other ones that are for longer term storage or bugout bags are either running LSD NiMH or Lithium primaries. In any case, periodically checking the cells for functionality is a good practice.
In terms of carry, if I know I might be put in a situation without a charger, I will carry lights that have primary cell capability, but main a fully charged cell in it.
In terms of rotational maintenance, I typically use my lights on a regular basis, whether walking, perimeter checking, at work, etc., and have gotten a pretty good handle on what the charge state will be at any given time. That said, I’ll start charging a standby cell a few hours before I intend to swap them, because I’ll cycle them in when the active cells have hit 70% or less. Then the 70% cell goes into the case, and the new active cell gets used until about 70%, around that time I’ll start charging the new standby cell if I intend to swap it again later that day.
^^as other members have mentioned, by no means is such a regimen necessary, it’s just what works for me.
