Id like to be able to have possibility of using AA’s
I have one I can sell you.
Alternatively there are all over eBay. For example: off White Cylinder Battery Holder Adapter for 3x1.5v AA Batteries X3p6 13he for sale online | eBay
I bought some black ones ages ago from KD: http://kaidomain.com/Product/Details.S003294
They’re all unsuitable for high current use though. The C88 wants 2.8A and it wont get that from decent AAs unless you beef up the contacts in the battery carrier a bit (better springs etc).