Eneloop

Panasonic's fourth-generation Eneloop batteries, in AA and AAA sizes.

Eneloop (Japanese: エネループ Hepburn: Enerūpu) is a brand developed by Sanyo encompassing rechargeable batteries and associated devices, introduced to the market in November 2005.[1] The batteries are low self-discharge NiMH, which lose their charge much more slowly than ordinary NiMH batteries; 10% in the first year, compared to about 4% of their charge per day of storage. Nickel–metal hydride battery The Eneloop batteries have a nominal voltage of 1.2 V. They are sold pre-charged and can be used immediately, while ordinary NiMH batteries lose their charge so quickly that this isn't feasible. Due to the number of alkaline batteries they can replace during their lifecycle, they are marketed as being eco-friendly when used appropriately.

Battery variants

Eneloop (1st generation)

The original Eneloops were introduced in AA and AAA size, with capacities of 2000 mAh and 800 mAh. They were rechargeable 1000 times and held up to 75% of their charge after one year. The part number for this generation of Eneloop is HR-3UTG (AA) and HR-4UTG (AAA).

Eneloop (2nd generation)

The second generation of Eneloop batteries endure 1500 recharge cycles. This revision holds 85% of the charge after one year and 75% after three years.[2] The two revisions can be distinguished by the design of the label: they now state the minimum instead of the typical capacity, 1900 mAh and 750 mAh. The new revision also has a crown printed on the label. The new type numbers are HR-3UTGA (AA) and HR-4UTGA (AAA).

Sanyo introduced C and D sized Eneloops with a minimum capacity of 2700 mAh and 3000 mAh respectively in 2009, along with a new universal charger.[3] As these sizes are only available in Japan and Singapore, Sanyo also offers adapter sleeves to fit AA sized Eneloops in devices that take C and D sized batteries.

Battery enthusiasts hoping to purchase Eneloops in the C and D sizes were surprised at the low capacities; they estimated a D should have a 10,000 mAh rating. One enthusiast opened up some cells to find "the Eneloop C-cell is composed of 4 x AAA cells and the D-cell is composed of 3 x AA cells.".[4]

Eneloop (3rd generation)

In October 2011 the batteries were again improved to retain their capacity for up to 90% after one year, 80% after 3 years and 70% after five years. In addition to the lower self-discharge rate, the batteries can be recharged up to 1800 times compared to 1500 times in the previous revision. The product numbers for these batteries are HR-3UTGB (AA) and HR-4UTGB (AAA). At the same time, the C and D sized Eneloops stated minimum capacity were increased to 3000 mAh and 5700 mAh respectively. They were available in Japan from November 2011.[5]

European models went on sale from beginning of October 2012.[6]

Panasonic Eneloop (4th generation)

Comparison between new Panasonic Eneloops and the Sanyo AA Eneloops

Following the acquisition of Sanyo by Panasonic, a fourth generation was introduced in April 2013 which states Panasonic instead of Eneloop on the label in some countries. The technological change is that the number of recharges was increased. The new model numbers are BK-3MCCE for AA and BK-4MCCE for the AAA models and they can be recharged up to 2100 times.[7]

Eneloop Lite

Eneloop Lites were released in Japan in June 2010. They are intended to address two other downsides of alkaline and other NiMH batteries: the initial cost and the long charging time, both achieved by reducing the capacity of the battery. The batteries find suitable applications in low-drain devices such as remotes and alarms where high capacity is not an issue. The Eneloop lite AAs have 1000 mAh, while the AAAs have 600 mAh). Due to reduction of the capacity compared to the regular Eneloops, the charging time is cut in half for the AA and to 3/4 for the AAA. On the other hand, they can be recharged 3,000 times. The reduction in capacity also reduced the production cost, which decreased the initial investment for rechargeable batteries and they weigh 30% less. The product numbers are HR-3UQ (AA) and HR-4UQ (AAA).[8]

Panasonic Eneloop Lite

Along with the upgrade of the regular Eneloops in April 2013, the lite version was also upgraded. According to Panasonic, it can now be recharged up to 3000 times (life cycles)[9] (model numbers BK-3LCCE for the AA and BK-4LCCE for the AAA battery). The upgraded batteries also retain 90% of the charge after one year like the regular eneloops.

Eneloop Pro (XX powered by Eneloop Technology; 1st generation)

Eneloop pro (or XX powered by Eneloop Technology in the US, Canada, and Europe) were introduced in 2011, however, there was no AAA version of this model made.[10] They have a higher capacity than regular Eneloops, 2500 mAh (min. 2400 mAh) for AA. However, they retain only 75% of their initial charge after one year, and can only be recharged 500 times. The product numbers are HR-3UWX (AA) and HR-3UWXA (AA).[11]

Eneloop Pro (Eneloop XX; 2nd generation)

In January 2013, Sanyo announced the second generation of Eneloop XX (model HR-3UWXB, or Panasonic BK-3HCCA4BA), along with a slight renaming. Eneloop Pro appears instead "XX" brand in batteries. The new generation has a 50 mAh higher capacity (2550 mAh nominal, 2450 mAh minimum capacity), and the discharge rate has been decreased by 10% (i.e. holds 85% up to one year). [12] They also introduced an AAA version of the Eneloop XX (model HR-4UWXB) boasting a nominal capacity of 950 mAh (900 mAh minimum).

Eneloop Plus

Eneloop Plus have a PTC thermistor built-in that cuts the power when the batteries are overheating. This makes them especially suitable for toys. Other specifications are identical to the second-generation Eneloops. The product number is HR-3UPT (AA) and the battery was released in Japan in December 2011.[11]

Comparison table

AA battery comparison Model Released Max. Cycles Min. capacity (mAh) Typ. capacity (mAh) Est. lifetime cap. (Wh) Charge after 1 day After 1 year After 2 years After 3 years After 5 years
Ordinary NiMH battery (Sanyo NiMH 2700) HR-3UG Unknown 1,000 2,500 2,700 Unknown ≈80% ≈50% 0% 0% 0%
Eneloop 1st generation[13] HR-3UTG November 2005 1,000 1,900 2,000 2,400 N/A ≈80% N/A N/A N/A
Eneloop 2nd generation HR-3UTGA May 2010 1,500 1,900 2,000 3,600 N/A ≈85% ≈80% ≈75% N/A
Eneloop 3rd generation HR-3UTGB November 2011 1,800 1,900 2,000 4,320 N/A 90% >80% 80% 70%
Panasonic Eneloop BK-3MCCx April 2013 2,100 1,900 2,000 5,040 N/A 90% >80% 80% 70%
Other AA Eneloops Model Released Max. Cycles Min. capacity (mAh) Typ. capacity (mAh) Est. lifetime cap. (Wh) Charge after 1 day After 1 year After 2 years After 3 years After 5 years
Eneloop Lite[14] HR-3UQ June 2010 2,000 950 1,000 2,400 N/A 85% 80% 75% N/A
Panasonic Eneloop Lite[9] BK-3LCCE April 2013 3,000 950 1,000 3,600 N/A 90% >80% 80% 70%
Eneloop Pro ("XX powered") 1st generation[15] HR-3UWX July 2011 500 2,400 2,500 1,500 N/A 75% N/A N/A N/A
Eneloop Pro ("XX powered") 1st generation (updated look)[16] HR-3UWXA May 2012 500 2,400 2,500 1,500 N/A 75% N/A N/A N/A
Eneloop Pro (eneloop XX outside of Japan) 2nd generation[17] HR-3UWXB October 2012 500 2,450 2,550 1,530 N/A 85% N/A N/A N/A
Panasonic Eneloop Pro[18] BK-3HCCA April 2013 500 2,450 2,550 1,530 N/A 85% N/A N/A N/A
AAA battery comparison Model Released Max. Cycles Min. capacity (mAh) Typ. capacity (mAh) Est. lifetime cap. (Wh) Charge after 1 day After 1 year After 2 years After 3 years After 5 years
Ordinary NiMH battery (Sanyo NiMH 1000) Sanyo HR-4U Unknown Unknown 930 1,000 Unknown ≈80% ≈50% 0% 0% 0%
Eneloop 1st generation HR-4UTG November 2005 1,000 750 800 960 N/A ≈80% N/A N/A N/A
Eneloop 2nd generation HR-4UTGA May 2010 1,500 750 800 1,440 N/A ≈85% ≈80% ≈75% N/A
Eneloop 3rd generation HR-4UTGB November 2011 1,800 750 800 1,728 N/A 90% >80% 80% 70%
Panasonic Eneloop BK-4MCCE April 2013 2,100 750 800 2,016 N/A 90% >80% 80% 70%
Eneloop Lite[19] HR-4UQ June 2010 2,000 500 600 1,440 N/A 85% 80% 75% N/A
Panasonic Eneloop Lite[9] BK-4LCCE April 2013 3,000 500 600 2,160 N/A 90% >80% 80% 70%
Eneloop Pro ("XX powered") "2nd" generation[20][21] HR-4UWXB October 2012 500 900 950 570 N/A 85% N/A N/A N/A
Panasonic Eneloop Pro[18] BK-4HCCA April 2013 500 900 950 570 N/A 85% N/A N/A N/A

Accessories

eneloop mobile boosters

There are numerous chargers for Eneloop, including USB chargers and eneloop-operated hand warmers, which double as chargers. Mobile "power boosters" are intended to recharge electronic devices via USB, using Eneloops or built-in lithium-ion batteries.

Sanyo also released plastic spacers that allow AAs to be used as C and D cells.

Eneloopy is a dog-shaped battery tester. A LED on its nose shows the battery level by changing colors.


References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Eneloop.
  1. ↑ http://www.panasonic-eneloop.eu/home/whats-eneloop.html
  2. ↑ SANYO Announces New "eneloop" Rechargeable Batteries - Industry No. 1*1 Rechargeable Batteries – Rechargeable up to "Approx.1,500 times*2", Factory Pre-charged using Solar Power
  3. ↑ SANYO Energy Unveils New Eco-Friendly Products To The Singapore Market
  4. ↑ Eneloop C & D cells exposed
  5. ↑ "SANYO New eneloop Batteries Remains Capacity Longer - Fully-recharged new eneloop keeps approx. 70% power after 5 years of storage*1" (PDF). SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
  6. ↑ SANYO introduces new eneloop with 1800 life cycles to European market - Longer capacity with added life span: new eneloop keeps up to 70% of power after 5 years of storage1
  7. ↑ Panasonic's eneloop website
  8. ↑ "SANYO Adds "Eneloop lite" to "eneloop" Rechargeable Battery Family" (PDF). SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "Panasonic Eneloop lite - description page". Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  10. ↑ "Overview: All Eneloop batteries 2005-2013".
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "SANYO's eneloop Series Expands with New-Type Batteries" (PDF). SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
  12. ↑ New eneloop XX with higher capacity and improved low self-discharge
  13. ↑ "SANYO Presents 'eneloop': A New Battery in place of Dry Cell Battery for the 21st Century" (PDF). SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. Retrieved 19 June 2006.
  14. ↑ "SAYNO's eneloop lite datasheet" (PDF). SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
  15. ↑ "SAYNO's eneloop Series Expands with New-Type Batteries" (PDF). SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
  16. ↑ "Announcement HR-3UWXA" (PDF). SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
  17. ↑ "Eneloop Pro 2012 models" (PDF). SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "ニッケル水素電池「エネループ」「充電式エボルタ」シリーズを発売 - プレスリリース - ニュース - パナソニック企業情報 - Panasonic". Retrieved 25 December 2013.
  19. ↑ "SAYNO's eneloop lite datasheet" (PDF). SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
  20. ↑ "Eneloop Pro 2012 models" (PDF). SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  21. ↑ "SAYNO's eneloop lite datasheet" (PDF). SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. Retrieved 23 December 2012.

External links