Want to ask a question to an official Eneloop technician?

ksio89 · August 3, 2018, 10:07pm

delusional:

Why does Panasonic not remove the dumb “basic” chargers from the market and sell only smart chargers?
The only reason I can think of, why they would continue to sell chargers that do not individually sample each cell’s charge, is that sooner or later the cells become damaged by overcharge and need to be prematurely replaced.

On the other hand, if there was ever a product that needed a tiny bit of planned obsolescence, it’s these batteries. I have six Panasonic HHR-3UP that I believe I got at a radio shack previous to the year 2000. In 2016 I discharge tested all six at 0.1 amp, and averaged 1540 mah on batteries marked 1600 mah. That’s pretty close to zero performance loss at sixteen years. …But I knew from the very beginning never to use dumb chargers. I won’t even use fast chargers, or put them in a device that pulls too much amperage. These cells have definitely been babied.

For me, Panasonic continuing to sell dumb chargers is the only black mark on an otherwise platinum reputation. They have done more to remove toxic batteries from the waste stream than any other company, leading by light years, but if they truly cared about the environment they would remove this easy opportunity for dumb consumers to kill their own batteries.

s. I have come to peace with the decision to move some production to China. It was inevitable.

Excellent post and reasoning. I fully agree with you, Panasonic has done way more for reducing soil and water pollution than any environmental agency around the world. About Panasonic still selling dumb chargers, it doesn’t make much sense to say that it’s simple kind of “planned obsolescence”, because they also sell high-quality rechargeable batteries and chargers. I believe Panasonic still sells dumb chargers simply because they want to have a product available at a lower price point. Anyway, I always recommend smart chargers to relatives and friends, and I try to convince them it’s more economical on long term. Actually, if I were a lawmaker, I would propose a law to ban the selling of dumb chargers, and also encourage manufacturers to produce more affordable smart chargers.

Hugh_Johnson · August 16, 2018, 4:20pm

I’m checking in to see if the interview has happened. Very interested to see the responses.

fran82 · August 16, 2018, 8:41pm

+1 lets see

ChibiM · August 16, 2018, 8:47pm

Sorry guys.. Still no reply from them!

I sent the questions and answers in, about 2 weeks ago (after they returned from their holidays) and emailed them last week, 2 days ago, but still no answer..

please stay tuned!

arow55 · August 16, 2018, 9:49pm

Watching,waiting

Boaz · August 17, 2018, 2:12am

please just kill me now !

klrman · August 17, 2018, 4:10am

The good news is that while we are still waiting, I just use, abuse and recharge my eneloops daily and they still keep on working.

ChibiM · August 17, 2018, 6:01am

Hahaha.. Just remember its less worse to overcharge than to overdischarge :-)

MRsDNF · August 17, 2018, 6:21am

ChibiM along with BLF members questions may have them stumped.

ChibiM · August 17, 2018, 6:35am

Yeah.. that happens to me all the time you know ;) just joking

klrman · August 17, 2018, 2:55pm

I didn't know that for Eneloops, thanks!

Boaz · August 18, 2018, 9:24am

Robot .....

Is there an off switch ?

Pablo_de_Llama · August 23, 2018, 7:25am

Eep!

How much does the BQ-CC17 overcharge?

nottawhackjob · August 23, 2018, 5:49pm

If I may attempt to hopefully accurately answer this important question, I’m almost 100% pretty sure for male versions it’ll have On, Off, and Vibrate.

ChibiM · August 25, 2018, 9:44am

Still no dice... still waiting on their reply.. curious how long it will take.. you know what.. I will ask them again now...

ChibiM · September 13, 2018, 5:26am

Finally received the answers back!!

So I will be posting them online soon, each in its category.

klrman · September 13, 2018, 6:03am

That's good news

arow55 · September 13, 2018, 3:37pm

Great!

ChibiM · September 21, 2018, 9:02pm

The interview questions and answers for the Eneloop technicians are on the website. Until I have more time to put them 1 by 1 in the correct section on the website they can be found here: https://eneloop101.com/interview-with-eneloop-technicians/

arow55 · September 21, 2018, 8:27pm

Thanks.