http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/Dec 16th 2008 12:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/Dec 16th 2008 3:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/Feb 8th 2009 5:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/Dec 16th 2008 12:07AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/Dec 16th 2008 2:32AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/Dec 16th 2008 12:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/Dec 16th 2008 12:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/Thanks a lot, guys.

What flavor are they, by the way?]]>Dec 16th 2008 1:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/
Nickel and Zinc isn't it? So... spare change?]]>Dec 16th 2008 1:33AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/
http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/141660399.htm]]>Dec 16th 2008 8:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/Dec 16th 2008 9:11AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/Dec 16th 2008 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/Dec 16th 2008 12:16AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/Dec 16th 2008 12:23AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/
http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/141660399.htm


No mAh rating listed, but that's damn good, assuming it's something reasonable.]]>Dec 16th 2008 12:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/Dec 16th 2008 12:32AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/Dec 16th 2008 12:32AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/Dec 16th 2008 8:19AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/Dec 16th 2008 8:20AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/Dec 16th 2008 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/Dec 16th 2008 12:25AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/Dec 16th 2008 12:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/Dec 16th 2008 12:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/Oh boy. You'd think that a writer of a gadget blog would know the difference between voltage and power.]]>Dec 16th 2008 12:26AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/Dec 16th 2008 12:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/Dec 16th 2008 12:30AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/Dec 16th 2008 12:48AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/Dec 16th 2008 12:50AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/Dec 16th 2008 12:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/
http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/141660399.htm]]>Dec 16th 2008 8:24AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/Dec 16th 2008 1:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/
I use them in a FL36R external flash which is know to have slow (up to 10sec) recharge times. With a fresh pair of these puppies, i can recharge in as little as 1sec, and as much as 3-4 after a full burst. ]]>Dec 16th 2008 12:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/Dec 16th 2008 12:52AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.powergenix.com/docs/powergenix-specs-aa.pdf. These cells are definitely made by (or at least licensed from) Powergenix.

Powergenix has been talking these up at battery conferences for months now, I've seen them present at a few that I've attended. They spend a lot of time touting Ni-Zn as competition for Ni-Cd, but they do make comparisons with NiMH. In spite of the fact that they have lower capacity (translating to lower energy density) compared to NiMH, they do have significantly higher power density so you can put a higher-drain load on them and presumably charge them faster without adverse effects. They can supposedly discharge at 10A continuously, although obviously not for long.

Powergenix claims that they can actually squeeze more shots from a digital still camera with their 1500mAh 1.6V battery than you can get with an Eneloop rated at 2000mAh and 1.2V. Total Wh for those two cells is equivalent. They lose when comparing themselves to an Energizer NiMH rated at 2500mAh and 1.2V. From their data, the number of shots, respectively, is 400, 375, and 430.

I've never seen data for self discharge on these cells, but Ni-Zn is not an inherently low self-discharge cell so I would not expect Eneloop capability. Most important for me, since I swear by my Lacrosse charger, is that you can only charge these with a specialized Ni-Zn charger due to their special charging algorithm. That RItz camera charger looks like kind of a turd.]]>Dec 16th 2008 9:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/
One: How fast do these self-discharge? I gave up on those Energizer NiMHs a while ago because they are dead within a week or so after charging, despite the high mAh rating. Now using almost all low-self-discharge ones (eneloop, etc...)

Too: Will these things explode and kill me if i put them in my 15-minute charger? I have the strangest feeling like the answer is "yes"...]]>Dec 16th 2008 12:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/Dec 16th 2008 1:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/Dec 16th 2008 7:46AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/
]]>Dec 16th 2008 8:33AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/]]>Dec 16th 2008 9:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/Dec 16th 2008 9:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/
For some comparison, NiCd has anywhere from 40-60, and NiMH can exceed it.

The voltage is higher, but the power they can deliver is no better.]]>Dec 16th 2008 2:44AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/]]>Dec 16th 2008 9:23AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/
http://www.powergenixsystems.com/docs/powergenix-specs-aa.pdf

Typical capacity is only 1500mAh. Now if you give them back the 30% they get from from increased voltage, the W-hrs are still short of a good AA NiMH cell. There are some things that will benefit from higher voltage, flash recharge time in particular. But you'll have to decide which you want more, less time between flashes or more shots.

One other piece of potentially bad news is if your device has primarily linear regulators in it, rather than DC-DC converters, you will actually be WORSE off with these cells because the higher voltage will only be wasted in the linear regulator voltage drops. This will get confusing because some people will claim they suck and others will say they are good, and both may be right.

I wish they had some self discharge data, but there appears to be none on their web site. The other unknown is how touchy they are about overdischarge, because that always happens with AAs.

One last note, is DON'T put these in your Mini Mag Lites. Bulb life goes WAY down with a little increase in voltage.

]]>Dec 16th 2008 3:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/
Like any engadget reader would be using bulb flashlights anymore :)]]>Dec 16th 2008 6:26AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/Dec 16th 2008 7:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/
These would actually work BETTER in a mag lite than 1.2V NiMH rechargables. Here's why. The flashlight is designed to operate with cells that produce 1.5V - that's the voltage a standard alkaline cell (non-rechargable) produces -- and most people will be using non-rechargables, so they'd better not damage the device or lower it's life expectancy. Using these in any device that doesn't specifically have a setting for NiMH rechargables should actually produce BETTER results than NiMH rechargables (my hand-held GPS has a setting for either alkaline or NiMH).

Anecdotal evidence - Wii remotes. I use rechargables for these, because they eat batteries like crazy. Using standard alkaline AA's will make the battery guage (the 4 indicator lights on the bottom) all light up - signifying 100% power - when they are fresh. When I take my NiMH's right off the charger and put them in, I only get 3 lights. This is because 2 NiMH's in series only produce 2.4V, when the Wii remote is expecting 3 - so it assumes it's looking at alkalines (which are 3.0V when fresh) that are fading.]]>Dec 16th 2008 9:45AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/Dec 16th 2008 9:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/Dec 17th 2008 1:13AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/141660399.htm ) isn't for this technology, but for a NiCd/NiMH charger & batteries]]>Dec 16th 2008 1:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/powergenix-reveals-potent-nizn-rechargeable-aa-batteries/Dec 16th 2008 7:30AM