Eneloop -- Engadget

eneloop posts

Sanyo Eneloop batteries good for 1,500 recharges, maintain 70% charge even after 3 years in storage

by Thomas Ricker posted Oct 6th 2009 at 9:50AM

We've got a thing for Sanyo's Eneloops. Had it ever since Sanyo released us from the clutches of underperforming NiCad and NiMH batteries about five years ago. Its latest AA and AAA batteries can be recharged about 1,500 times, that's about 3 years of continuous service and 500 more cycles than competing rechargeables, according to Sanyo. The batteries also feature a low self-discharge rate so they remain usable even after they've been charged and stored in a drawer. In fact, an Eneloop will maintain about 75% of its charged power even after three years. Impressive, we know, and the reason they come pre-charged from the factory for immediate use of out the box. And compared to disposables, they're as good for the environment as they are for your wallet over the long run.

Sanyo's new eneloop bike gets carbon fiber frame, traction control brain

by Tim Stevens posted Jul 27th 2009 at 9:49AM

Carbon fiber, with its light weight and high strength, is the material upon which the modern motorsports world is built. Traction control, which decreases difficulty, threatens to destroy it. However, in the world of the urban commute, traction control is a great thing and carbon is generally unheard of. Not for Sanyo, which will soon introduce the CY-SPK227 eneloop bike with a frame made of the stuff, featuring two wheel drive and traction control. The rear wheel is powered by the chain, the front by an electric motor, and should the rider pedal more enthusiastically than slippery conditions allow the bike will compensate by adding more juice to the front. Total weight is about 43lbs, many times that of the composite wonders Lance straddled in France, but about 7lbs lighter than the company's last entrant. It has regenerative braking, an LED headlight, magnesium suspension, a ¥627,900 price tag (about $6,600), and it releases in Japan in October -- you know, right about when the skies start to threaten snow. A good test for that traction control, then.

[Via Fareastgizmos.com]

Eneloop batteries get C and D-sized, still not bigger than yo mama

by Thomas Ricker posted Aug 8th 2008 at 6:12AM

Ever seen a toy robot low on batteries? It's sad, sadder than the shredded flesh and bone caked between its servos. Unfortunately, modern gear chews through disposable batteries faster than the time it takes to make a hippie cry. Enter Sanyo, which today finally announces its new rechargeable C and D-sized Eneloop batteries. This ain't the same, sad Ni-MH rechargeable tech found in yo mama's pager battery -- you know, the one that beeps and makes people think she's backing up... Oh! Eneloops come pre-charged, maintain that charge in the drawer, and can be recharged a thousand times without any of that lame memory effect. Available initially on September 12th in Japan before breaking out for global distribution.

[Via I4U]

Panasonic's EVOLTA: "the longest lasting AA battery cell in the world"

by Thomas Ricker posted Jan 16th 2008 at 9:33AM

If you're barbaric enough to still use disposable alkaline batteries instead of new generation rechargeables like Eneloops, then you'll be stoked by this news Atouk. Panasonic's new EVOLTA lineup is said to perform "almost 1.3 - 2 times" longer than their existing alkalines. In fact, they now claim to have the "longest lasting AA battery cell in the world." For that, Panny will charge you an approximate 15% premium when they hit the market on April 26th.

Willcom concept phone powered by single AA battery

by Chris Ziegler posted Aug 27th 2007 at 1:18PM

Japanese carrier Willcom has hooked up with Sanyo to show off a back-to-basics handset powered by a single AA battery -- one of Sanyo's own Eneloop rechargeables, naturally -- that still manages to serve up 5 hours of talk time and 250 hours of standby. Just how back-to-basics are we talking, exactly? For starters, the phone lacks a display, pretty much ending any hopes of using this thing for gaming, video playback, or seeing who the heck is calling. In exchange, though, you get power versatility that's pretty much unmatched by any other phone on the market and an array of nodules that gently massage the side of your face while you're trying to hold a conversation. Between the perfectly round shell (looks like an AA battery, get it?) and the fact that it'll only get down with PHS networks, we hope this sucker goes through a few revisions before it sees production -- but we like where Sanyo's head's at.

Sanyo booth tour

by Omar McFarlane posted Jan 15th 2007 at 5:11PM

Sanyo had a bit of a twist this year at CES -- it was making a push for the environment. In between displays of HD camcorders and wireless projectors were numerous low consumption devices and solar powered chargers. Keep reading to see what you may have missed among the plethora of products that were on display this year.

Continue reading Sanyo booth tour

Sanyo Eneloop Solar Charger: charges your iPod too

by Thomas Ricker posted Oct 31st 2006 at 8:59AM

Ready to get your eco on Jack? Meet the Sanyo N-SC1S Eneloop Solar Charger. Not only will the device charge 4x of their hottastic Eneloop (and presumably other) rechargeable hyrbids in about 2.5 hours, but it'll also juice-up your USB-equipped gear. That's right, the device features a USB port capable of a DC 5V and 500mA output. Oh sure, it takes about 6 days for the internal lithium ion batteries to reach a full charge in order to charge your cellphone, PSP, MP3 player, whatever, but hey, it's good for the kids, hear? Available in Japan starting November 21st for an expected ¥20,000 or $170 of that green, green.

[Via Impress]