Recently, I had the batteries in my smoke detectors and CO2 detectors replaced. This is an ordeal because I have high ceilings and I'm afraid of heights, so I need someone to do it for me.
It's also a PITA because one wrong move, and these freaking things start chirping.
The smoke detectors aren't too bad. They're happy with any fresh 9-volt battery. And as long as I keep on top of the calendar and change them on time, it's fine.
The CO2 detectors on the other hand are fussier than the most finicky cat you can imagine. I can't stand these things.
The first issue is these things take AA batteries and that means making sure the positive and negative sides are facing the right direction.
The second, and biggest issue, is that these prima donnas won't take generic AA batteries. Not even Maxell batteries are good enough for them. Nope, you try to put in anything except Energizer or Duracell and these things will start chirping. And chirping.
I knew they didn't like Maxell because I had to run to the store and get Energizer in the past. This time is when I learned it's not just Maxell and some weird quirk with that battery. Nope, it encompasses generic batteries, too.
I thought I had enough Energizer, but I miscounted. I thought I have two CO2 detectors, but I have three. I was short two name-brand AA batteries. I had generic that I use for my Wii balance board and for my computer mice. The only other option was for me to run to the store, so the person putting in the batteries used the generic brand.
It was 8:30 on a Sunday morning when the first chirp woke me up.
Yes, indeed, it was the CO2 detector with the generic batteries issuing the complaint. How dare I not buy a name brand? How dare I insert generic batteries? The horror!
Emergency run to the nearest store for the Energizer batteries. Luckily, they were on sale, and I had a coupon for 50 cents off.
Now I had a dilemma. No one was available to climb that ladder and change out the batteries. Except for me. The person afraid of heights.
Please return for Part Two on Thursday.
