Tokyo, October 6, 2009 – SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. (SANYO) proudly announces the release of new, upgraded AA- and AAA-size “eneloop” rechargeable batteries five years from the initial product launch, with the concept of “eneloop” still based on promoting “a lifestyle that values reusing and recycling”. The new “eneloop” is able to be recharged approximately 1,500 times*2, a new milestone for the rechargeable battery industry, making eneloop the industry No. 1.
I also looked up the eneloop tones (colored 8 packs) but they won't be available in the US until summer or the end of this year. I can't wait to start seeing the newer eneloops for sale in the US. I can't believe I now get excited over rechargeable batteries.
What the hell happened to me over the last 1-1/2 months?
I actually wonder how much, if anything, is different between the new claimed cycle life and the old. One of the simplest ways of increasing cycle life a bit would be to increase internal resistance a bit thereby limiting the higher currents these cells are capable of. Eneloops will hold their voltage to 7/8A which is exceptional for an AA sized cell - but i suspect those high currents shorten cycle life.
NiCd cells are ultimately tougher - you can often revive them from the grave by doing things that'd destroy NiMH cells. Like using them to run a motorcycle engine electrics and charge them up by running about 40A through them from the bike's alternator. By shorting them right down to 0 volts and leaving them shorted for a day or two before recharging them. Pity they're banned just about everywhere ass cadmium is nasty stuff. I once spent 4 months tracking cadmium flows through a sewage works - there were a couple of electroplating companies dumping really nasty stuff loaded with cadmium and cyanide into the sewers.
I still have, and use some 26 year old NiCd D cells. They'll only give about 10 amps on a dead short these days but still test out at above their rated 4000mAh capacity
My Danish is very, very poor (Actually, I have no Danish at all but reading it as if it were Scots) but that seems to say "Eneloop Lite" which are reduced capacity Eneloops that ought to cost a lot less as they are 1500mAh or less AFAIR.
I'm glad that my guessing about the Danish worked. It was pretty much guessing as if the language were Scots/Flemish/Afrikaans (Those three are quite similar).
Personally, I don't see the point of lower capacity Eneloops. But I do own quite a lot of 2000mAh Eneloops.
I have noticed with the lower capacity cells they are less prone to discharging meaning they hold a charge a lot longer. Im comparing my basis on the green and black label Rayovacs that i have, and since its coming from Sanyo im sure that the cells are going to be of a much higher quality. My Rayo's top off at about 1455-1500 mah and i use them once in a while.
Got this : "Sanyo Eneloop Ni-MH Charger and 8 Rechargeable AA and 4 Rechargeable AAA Batteries : Price: $33.89 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping "
"This new eneloop package (Sanyo Eneloop Ni-MH Charger and 8 Rechargeable AA and 4 Rechargeable AAA Batteries) contains 12 of the 2nd-gen eneloop cells, and the MQN06 4-cell charger. Note that unlike the previous eneloop Power Pack Kit, there are no C- and D-shell adapters in this package. "
Some one I know is coming here from the US. Only way I can get the new 'loops.