Hi friends, I hope everyone is well. I’m new here so I hope I’m posting this question in the proper place. I have a question about Eneloop Pro that I just received from Amazon and I am wondering if I understand the production codes correctly. I am interested in knowing whether any of you would send these 2 packages of 16 Eneloop Pro’s back to Amazon in hopes of getting fresher batteries, or am I just confused with all these production codes? The code is BK-3HCCA 16FA and if I understand correctly these are 4th generation cells, not the current 5th. The stamp on the batteries is 20-12MK. I haven’t opened these packages yet because I was hoping someone here could advise me them. Am I just being overly worried here or would any of you more experienced people keep these or send them back in hopes of getting 5th generation cells? Two packages of 16 cells cost a few $$$ so I’d like to be sure about these. I have no reason to think they are fakes; the packaging looks authentic to me. Thank you, Tom from Massachusetts, USA
December of 2020 is my guess?
Chris
I noticed that too but I wasn’t sure…. If they were manufactured in December of 2020 would that be considered a 5th generation? The numbers BK-3HCCA are throwing me off because I think that’s a 4th gen number… But if in fact they were manufactured only 8 months ago then I think that is pretty darn fresh…… But then again; why do they have that BK-3HCCA number? Baffling……
We don’t generally quantify Eneloop Pros as being X, Y or Z generation, as that has more to do with the standard capacity Eneloops.
As long as yours are newly made and they are, you’re fine.
Chris
Thank you so much Chris! That’s what I was hoping to hear. I can finally take ’em out of the packaging and get them on the PowerEx Wizard One. I have three of those chargers here; I love them. By the way, I think I read somewhere here yesterday that it’s not advisable to run a “break in” cycle on new Eneloop Pros. Is that pretty much the feelings of most of you? I used to run a break in on all my Eneloops but maybe it’s not needed? My 1st gen white ones are still going strong after all these years.
Just remember that there are trade-offs with Standard Enloops/FDK sourced cells and High Caps.
If you don’t need the extra 20% capacity, the Standards will last a lot longer than the Hi Caps, due to higher IRs (internal resistances) and will be shot after maybe 2-3 years, in my experience.
I no longer buy ‘Pros’ and prefer to have longevity, but if you need it and don’t mind replacing them sooner, rather than later, you’re good to go.
Chris
Thank you for that info Chris. Yeah, those white ones are still strong and holding up rather well. I bought these pros to replace some white ones which are in my two older Canon cameras which take AA’s. Older cameras but still work great. The rest of the pros are going into my Fenix flashlights and some emergency lighting (in case of power outages). I plan on picking up a package or two of the regular white ones too for a few one-cell pen lights that I have. Love these Eneloops…… Thanks again my friend very much!
If you’re a pro photographer, the Pros make sense in flash modules, or motor drives.
Anyhow…
Good luck, Chris
Oh no, not a pro. Just a retired guy who loves the outdoors and likes to get nature photos and photos of birds and wildlife. I’ve got too much time on my hands Chris, hehe…. I have to try and stay busy. Stay well my friend during all this Covid mess. We’ll get through it!