Is there a gizmo for this, does anyone know?

Figural

Hi

My first post here, so waving hello.

Is there a tool that can help getting AA batteries out of the thermostat/boiler controller in my living room? The controller is a small box only 30mm deep and the two AA batteries are inserted and removed from an opening under a cover, on the side of the box, the ends facing outwards .I'm having real problems in getting the old batteries out, it's a very bad design. There's no kind of bounce mechanism where if you press the battery it pops out a little way, and there's no way of gripping the batteries to remove them, the user just has to press what little of the battery surface area is accessible and try to ease them out that way which is very frustrating not to mention painful to the fingers, and my damaged spine through the effort it involves.

This morning I needed to replace the batteries and had to lever them out with a thin screwdriver. They're rechargeables so I now have to dispose of them in case they're too damaged to reuse. My very nervous cat went out in case I was swearing at him, poor soul.

Is there any kind of tool, perhaps a strong sucker, that can stick to a battery like those you can get to change recessed LED lights, does anyone know? Or anything else that could do this? If I get a Disabled Facilities Grant I'll add a new controller of better design to my list but a house lift that will take my wheelchair is the priority need.

If anyone knows of something that will help, I'd be really grateful.

Thank you in advance.

Figural

Cress

Could you maybe place them on top of a piece of ribbon to make it easier, I know a lot of the things I have that are hard to get at usually come with a piece  of ribbon that you can just pull and out come the batteries.
Sorry can't be of more help.

leeCal

Or you could try using superglue to glue something to the battery and pull out, perhaps ribbon. 

Placing the ribbon in first and then placing the batteries over it will allow you to just pull he ribbon in the future as @cress suggests. Alternatively use sellotape in the same way, wrap the selotape around the middle of the two batteries leaving and inch or so sticking out freely, then next time just pull the sticky tape out and the batteries will pop out.

Figural

Cress, leeCal

Thank you so much, such good ideas, and I have all that stuff in the house. It's been a bad few days, too tired, and I really appreciate your help. The batteries are a very tight fit, the compartment could do with being a tad bigger, so the sellotape might be the best.

Thank you again.

Ross_Scope

How is the cat @Figural?

Figural

He's fine, thank you for asking. He sat on the mat outside the cat door for about half an hour. He's a lovely old cat, 17 years, just very nervous.

Ross_Scope

Wow, what an age, well I'm glad he's well @Figural