Batteries are the blue boxes that are used to charge certain objects. However, they must first be charged by a solar staff in the sun. If you place a battery, then remove it from a socket, it will lose its charge and must be recharged. Make sure you actually want to place your batteries down before you actually doing so.
While exploring, you may occasionally lose SAM and become disoriented. Tap the magnifying glass button at the top right to center the screen on SAM. Note: The multiple house buttons will show you where the Chroma buildings are located.
SAM can carry only two objects at once, a sun staff and battery. The puzzles will often require you to move those two objects around a lot. When you have completed one area, continue and take everything with you, as long as they are not required to power something you must move.