Can these Eneloops be trusted?

So how do we know FOR SURE the white topped Duracells are rebadged Eneloops? Just 'cause they look the same and have the same country of origin? Is there any other proof? Even if they are made in the Eneloop factory they could still be different than actual Eneloops - chemistry, quality, etc...

BatteryCharger said:

So how do we know FOR SURE the white topped Duracells are rebadged Eneloops? Just 'cause they look the same and have the same country of origin? Is there any other proof? Even if they are made in the Eneloop factory they could still be different than actual Eneloops - chemistry, quality, etc...

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Well you can't know for sure. If you want that level of certainty you will have to buy genuine eneloops.

All I can say is that some of us have tested the Duracell version and have found the performance to match up with expectations.

Eneloop is the Best NiMH available.

Sanyo.Eneloop said:

Eneloop is the Best NiMH available.

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Well, eneloops aren't always the best NiMH. High capacity NiMH batteries do have their applications.

h2xblive said:

Well, eneloops aren't always the best NiMH. High capacity NiMH batteries do have their applications.

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In my use of both high end NiMH and Eneloops in ham radio uses, I am finding that the NiMH cells can be just as good if used regularily and not mistreated. High on the list of abuse situations is leaving them at too low a voltage (below about 0.8v) for too long, charging them too fast (above 0.5C) or discharging them below 0.5v or so.

The eneloops seem to be a little better at withstanding these abuses, partially I suspect because they are put together with more precision and as such are not as easily harmed by heat.

The best way to gauge the health of my cells is to place them in a LaCrosse BC 700 charger on "Test" mode. That charges them up to full capacity, then discharges them under load (your choice of loads) and them charges them back up again. It then reports on the number of Milli Amps it got out of the cell. That also "exercises" the cell.

I just got back from Walgreens. The black top duraloops. Sorry, forgot to check out the look of the nub.

The box says:
AA4
MIGNON/HR6/DC1500

Duracell Rechargeable 2650 mAh
NiMH 1.2V
2005 Made in Japan

The battery says:
Duracell Rechargeable 2650 mAh
AA/HR6/DC1500 NiMH 1.2V
Standard charge 270 Ma for 16h
Made in Japan

Do not open, dispose of in fire or short circuit.

Flashlight Aficionado said:

The black top duraloops.

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Please. They are not 'Duraloops'. If you call them that you will confuse people.

Flashlight Aficionado said:

I just got back from Walgreens. The black top duraloops. Sorry, forgot to check out the look of the nub.

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Durahybrids, NOT Duraloops.

I just bought an 8 pack of Dura-loops on fleaby but I don't have them yet. The seller states right in the auction that they are made in Japan.

Are the black top ones in the packaging that says made in Japan really made in China? Can anyone find out for sure?

Wattnot said:

Are the black top ones in the packaging that says made in Japan really made in China? Can anyone find out for sure?

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The description was for 2650's, not Duraloops.

Flashlight Aficionado said:

I just got back from Walgreens. The black top duraloops. Sorry, forgot to check out the look of the nub.

The box says:
AA4
MIGNON/HR6/DC1500

Duracell Rechargeable 2650 mAh
NiMH 1.2V
2005 Made in Japan

The battery says:
Duracell Rechargeable 2650 mAh
AA/HR6/DC1500 NiMH 1.2V
Standard charge 270 Ma for 16h
Made in Japan

Do not open, dispose of in fire or short circuit.

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I think you encountered Duracell's 2650mAh high-capacity NiMH cell, which they appear to be in the process of naming the 'Supreme'. Insofar as I'm aware, it has always had a black material surrounding the positive post and it has always been made in Japan. They are definitely regular chemistry and not low self-discharge NiMH cells.

I would be interested as to which, if any, of the following images resemble the cells you saw in Walgreens:



For more on Duracell's NiMH cell re-naming and catagorization iniative, see this thread:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com ... post2995756
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Ahhh. Thank you Marduke and Bones. It didn't click at first but I see the 2650 now.

I wanted the actual Eneloops but everyone's price was still a tad high so I went with the CPFMP "good deals" recommendation for the Duraloops on ebay from seller media_mill. It's a good deal. I'm getting 8 AA for $16 shipped.

Eneloops are awesome. I tried them in my Canon EX430II flash and from a full manual discharge, it was ready in 3 seconds. It takes about twice that with alkalines. Also, I can run only 4 of them in my TK40 with full output - no problem.

[deleted]

Wattnot said:

Ahhh. Thank you Marduke and Bones. It didn't click at first but I see the 2650 now.

I wanted the actual Eneloops but everyone's price was still a tad high so I went with the CPFMP "good deals" recommendation for the Duraloops on ebay from

seller media_mill. It's a good deal. I'm getting 8 AA for $16 shipped.

Eneloops are awesome. I tried them in my Canon EX430II flash and from a full manual discharge, it was ready in 3 seconds. It takes about twice that with alkalines. Also, I can run only 4 of them in my TK40 with full output - no problem.

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That is a good price Wattnot.

Hopefully, you purchased from this auction, which states the cells are 'made in Japan', as opposed this auction, which is silent as to the origin of the cells.

Bones said:

I would be interested as to which, if any, of the following images resemble the cells you saw in Walgreens:

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This One. Without the swirly above the AA.

Those are high capacity cells, NOT low self discharge.

Flashlight Aficionado said:

This One. Without the swirly above the AA.

(Image)

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The actual Duraloop package should resemble one of these Flashlight Aficionado:



It should also be labelled as 'Pre-charged' or 'Active Charge' as shown. The capacity, if stated, should be about 2000mAh, and the cells themselves should be clearly labelled as having been made in Japan. They should also have a white material surrounding the positive post.

If the cells you're finding don't meet these criteria, they're not re-badged Eneloops.

Bones said:

The actual Duraloop package should resemble one of these Flashlight Aficionado:

It should also be labelled as 'Pre-charged' or 'Active Charge' as shown. The capacity, if stated, should be about 2000mAh, and the cells themselves should be clearly labelled as having been made in Japan. They should also have a white material surrounding the positive post.

If the cells you're finding don't meet these criteria, they're not re-badged Eneloops.

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It looks almost exactly like this one, except the package is cardboard back and plastic front. The was no "Active Charge". (I copied the words verbatim in my other post) I also saw this exact picture, which I bought. They were 800 & 2000 mAh and had white tops. But they only had one package of AA and one of AAA left. :sigh:

Can you make up your mind?

You quoted specs for high cap, showed a pic for high cap and said you bought those, then show a pic for LSD and say you bought those.

Which is it?

What does it say ON THE BATTERIES YOU BOUGHT.

Marduke said:

Can you make up your mind?

You quoted specs for high cap, showed a pic for high cap and said you bought those, then show a pic for LSD and say you bought those.

Which is it?

What does it say ON THE BATTERIES YOU BOUGHT.

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The batteries I "bought" were Duracell Eneloops. The AAs looked exactly like the picture I posted. The AAA were obviously a little different.

Why it is confusing and also why I posted about the blacktop Duracells is the package of White top and black top were exactly the same, save for two differences. The mAh (lower for Duracell Eneloops) and the package itself (all plastic for Duracell Eneloops & cardboard and plastic for black top Duracells)

I recognized the "Duraloops" immediately and bought them. I also saw the black tops were made in Japan and wondered if they too could be repackaged Eneloops. I then posted here.

I have the Duraloop packages. Do you want me to post some pictures?