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Ask HN: Fake AA batteries, or drain acid from current ones

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Ask HN: Fake AA batteries, or drain acid from current ones

#1

Post by bryanrasmussen »

I have an autistic child that loves to lick and chew on AA batteries, this is of course very dangerous so we have to keep them away from him but that of course makes him upset. I think the easiest way would be if

1. I find some copper about the right size and shape and use that. especially if I can make it look like a battery.

2. Buy a fake battery somewhere, do they exist, where do I buy them.

3. take a normal AA battery and remove all caustic materials from inside without destroying battery in any way.

Any suggestions.

Re: Ask HN: Fake AA batteries, or drain acid from current ones

#3

Post by h2odragon »

Cut sections of wood dowel to the right length: then they can be cooked / soaked in flavored water. Recall "cinnamon toothpicks?" Like that but bigger and we have an array of awesome artificial flavors now.

If its the finish texture and the weight that's appealing, perhaps you could find a flashlight or "stash case" jewelry item that could serve the purpose. Somewhere, someone has a "drug safe" that look very much like an AA battery but the top unscrews and its a hollow chamber inside.

If you think its the flavor of copper; then they sell copper pipe in a variety of sizes; you can cut lengths of that and have no worries. I can't think of a battery that actually shows copper on the outside tho.

Re: Ask HN: Fake AA batteries, or drain acid from current ones

#4

Post by bryanrasmussen »

h2odragon wrote: post #3

Cut sections of wood dowel to the right length: then they can be cooked / soaked in flavored water. Recall "cinnamon toothpicks?" Like that but bigger and we have an array of awesome artificial flavors now. If its the finish texture and the weight that's appealing, perhaps you could find a flashlight or "stash case" jewelry item that could serve the purpose. Somewhere, someone has a "drug safe" that look very much li…

I think it's the flavor of copper, he seems to prefer Duracell for what it's worth.

Re: Ask HN: Fake AA batteries, or drain acid from current ones

#5

Post by h2odragon »

bryanrasmussen wrote: post #4
h2odragon wrote: post #3

Cut sections of wood dowel to the right length: then they can be cooked / soaked in flavored water. Recall "cinnamon toothpicks?" Like that but bigger and we have an array of awesome artificial flavors now. If its the finish texture and the weight that's appealing, perhaps you could find a flashlight or "stash case" jewelry item that could serve the purpose. Somewhere, someone has a "drug safe" that look very much li…

I think it's the flavor of copper, he seems to prefer Duracell for what it's worth.

but theres no actual copper on the surface of the battery

Re: Ask HN: Fake AA batteries, or drain acid from current ones

#9

Post by bryanrasmussen »

h2odragon wrote: post #5
bryanrasmussen wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think it's the flavor of copper, he seems to prefer Duracell for what it's worth.

but theres no actual copper on the surface of the battery

ok, I suppose then it is the metallic tang one gets from the battery.

Re: Ask HN: Fake AA batteries, or drain acid from current ones

#10

Post by ethagknight »

Would applying a bitterant to both fake and real AA batteries help?

I don’t have experience working with people on the autistic spectrum but seems like the first priority would be to strongly discourage a habit that could seriously poison / burn the child’s stomach?

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