Eneloops: what charger do I need? (info and discussion thead)

[UserName]

Re: Eneloops: what charger do I need?

I was a bit frustrated at the ignorant purchase and tossed the sanyo pack in the parts bin. then went and bought aa 4 th gen Panasonic eneloops w/cc17 something. Happy with it from what I read.

There's nothing wrong with 1st gen eneloops. I've got a load of 'em, and they're all great batteries. I have a few AAA's that have lost some capacity, but in 5 or 6 years I haven't had to throw out a single cell yet, and I've probably got over a hundred by now.

I don't like the pairs chargers. I have too many devices that use 1 or 3 cells, so that is a fair complaint about the first charger (but it can still be useful). I don't know about the BQ-CC17, but if can do individual charging, then you're set for the basics and have what you need, although a c9000 is still a wonderful improvement. You don't need one from the beginning, but they are handy to have once the cells begin to age. It is nice to have a test that tells you for sure what a cell's capacity is, instead of just wondering if a particular cell is losing capacity.

 

[H.J.M.]

Re: Eneloops: what charger do I need?

I don't like the pairs chargers. I have too many devices that use 1 or 3 cells, so that is a fair complaint about the first charger (but it can still be useful). I don't know about the BQ-CC17, but if can do individual charging, then you're set for the basics and have what you need, although a c9000 is still a wonderful improvement. You don't need one from the beginning, but they are handy to have once the cells begin to age. It is nice to have a test that tells you for sure what a cell's capacity is, instead of just wondering if a particular cell is losing capacity.

I agree.
This is pretty much what the plan logic'd itself to be. I have less than 20 eneloops right now. So I wait.

 

[Palantas]

Good thread. I was considering the C9000 for some Eneloops I just ordered.

 

[UserName]

Good thread. I was considering the C9000 for some Eneloops I just ordered.

Good choice. You can't go wrong with a c9000.

 

[ssneil]

hi guys, new here. i have a couple fenix flashlights myself and have started venturing into rechargeable batteries. damn this is addicting.

i recently ordered an XTAR VC4 since it can recharge both Li-ion and Ni-MH batteries. i know it's relatively new but would this be a good charger for eneloops? (sorry if this question is dumb).

 

[John Brewer]

Hello, a newbie here. I purchased 8 Eneloop Pro AA's and a CC-17 charger last fall. Trusting as I am, I never checked the voltage on the batteries until yesterday. They ranged from 2.37 volts to 1.73, after about 6 hours in the charger. Am I correct to assume that I have a bad charger? If so, I'm a little hesitant to simply replace it with a similar one, and would like a recommendation for something more reliable. Thanks.

 

[WalkIntoTheLight]

Hello, a newbie here. I purchased 8 Eneloop Pro AA's and a CC-17 charger last fall. Trusting as I am, I never checked the voltage on the batteries until yesterday. They ranged from 2.37 volts to 1.73, after about 6 hours in the charger. Am I correct to assume that I have a bad charger? If so, I'm a little hesitant to simply replace it with a similar one, and would like a recommendation for something more reliable. Thanks.

I don't see how you get voltages that high in a NiMH chemistry. They would surely vent long before they got anywhere near those voltages. The maximum you should be able to charge a NiMH cell to is about 1.6v.

Your charger could be bad, or the batteries. Certainly something is seriously wrong if those are really the true voltages of the Eneloops. However, I suspect your multimeter may be broken, or need a new battery itself. If you're sure your multimeter is working and you've measured the voltages of the individual cells correctly, then throw out the charger, and throw out the Eneloops because they've been ruined.

 

[Grijon]

I don't see how you get voltages that high in a NiMH chemistry... However, I suspect your multimeter may be broken, or need a new battery itself...

+1

 

[fcbrian]

I bought an Opus 3400 a few weeks ago and wish I had spent the extra money in the first place. I started with the charger that came with eneloops(worked fine. Then moved to lacross 1000(great unit) then but the nitecore digital(great unit as well), and finally ,when I got serious about 18650's, the Opus. The Opus will charge anything, with more power than the nitecore, and It will discharge and test (mah) and test internal resistance. for ~$60. It's a no brainer. I've used it with 18650(lots), Cr123, AA, AAA. and its worked flawlessly and it matches my fluke. I like the mah test feature for older/unknown stuff. Of course I wouldn't try bringing back 18650's from the dead, but thats another thread.

I would normally say buy once cry once, but the Opus wasn't around 4 years ago.The lacross is great for aa/aaa, plus it does discharge/test , but its the same price as the Opus??.

The nitecore D4 is great as well, it will do any battery, but no discharge/test.

So unless you get into some $$$ hobby charger I don't see an alternative for the $ other than Opus 3400

My two cents

good luck
Brian

 

[Kouryu]

Sanyo chargers

Before the Panasonic rebranding/acquisition, Sanyo sold many different models of chargers. Several of which were designed specifically for eneloop cells.
Interestingly, not all chargers were available in each major market region.

This chart only covers the chargers most relevant to eneloops. The charger numbers listed are the charger themselves. Many chargers were not available by themselves and were sold as sets with batteries. The charger sets usually had different product numbers.

Charge times listed are for regular eneloop and eneloop plus only, Lite, XX or Pro charging rates/times are not listed to keep this already huge list simplified. For full reference on Japanese market chargers, click here

All Sanyo chargers are not approved/recommended by Panasonic for use with Evolta cells. Panasonic approves/recommends the Panasonic chargers for Evoltas. The newest Panasonic chargers (since 2013) are approved/recommended for both Eneloop and Evoltas. See original post of this thread for the Panasonic list or here (Japanese only).

Japan #	NC-M38	NC-M58	NC-MR58	NC-MR57	NC-M70*4​	-	-	-	NC-M60	-	-	-	NC-MDR02	-		-	-	-	NC-TG1	-	-	NC-MDU01	NC-SC1	NC-TGC01	NC-TGL01	NC-TGN01	NC-TGR01	NC-TGR02	NC-TGR03	NC-TGU01	-	-	-	ENL-Y1	KIR-SL1	KIR-SL2	NC-E1A	NC-WL01 (QE-CV201)
Export #	-	NC-MQR02	-	NC-MQR03	NC-MQS01*4​	NC-MQS02*4​	NC-MQS03*4​	NC-MQS04*4​	NC-MQH01	NC-MQH02	NC-MQH03	NC-MDR01	NC-MDR02	NC-MDR03	NC-MQN01	NC-MQN02	NC-MQN03	NC-MQN04	NC-MQN05	NC-MQN06	NC-TDR02	NC-MDU01*6​	-	NC-MQN09	BC-MQN10A	-	NC-MQR06	-		NC-TGU01W	SYNC-N01*5​	SYNC-S01*5​	SYNC-LS01*5​	-	-	KIR-SL2	NC-E1A
Eneloop Generation	1	1	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	1	1	1	1	-	-	1	1,2,3	1	1,2,3	2 & 3	1,2,3	1 & 2	2 & 3	2 & 3	2 & 3	2 & 3	2 & 3	2 & 3	1,2,3	2	2	2	Eneloop Universe	Eneloop Universe	Eneloop Universe	Eneloop Universe	Eneloop Universe
Battery fitment	4 cells	4 cells	4 cells	4 cells	4 cells	4 cells	4 cells	4 cells	4 cells	4 cells	4 cells	2 cells	2 cells	2 cells	4 cells	4 cells	4 cells	4 cells*3​	4 cells	4 cells	2 cells	2 cells	4 cells	4 cells	4 cells*3​	4 cells	4 cells	2 cells	4 cells	8 cells + 4 cells*1​	4 cells	4 cells	4 cells	2 cells	2 cells	2 cells	2 cells	2 cells
AAA	2-4	1-2	1-2	1-2	1-4	1-2	1-2	1-4	1-2	1-2	1-4	1-2	1-2	1-2	2-4	2-4	2-4	2-4	1-4	2-4	-	1-2	1-4	2-4	2-4	1-4	1-4	1-2	1-4	1-8	2-4	1-4	1-4	-	-	-	-	1-2
AA	2-4	1-4	1-4	1-4	1-4	1-4	1-4	1-4	1-4	1-4	1-4	1-2	1-2	1-2	2-4	2-4	2-4	2-4	1-4	2-4	1-2	1-2	1-4	2-4	2-4	1-4	1-4	1-2	1-4	1-8	2-4	1-4	1-4	2	2	2	1-2	1-2
C	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1-4	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
D	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1-4	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Smart charge	-(timer)	Smart	Smart + Refresh + Tester	Smart + Refresh	Smart	Smart	Smart	Smart	Smart	Smart	Smart	Smart	Smart	Smart	-(timer)	-(timer)	-(timer)	-(timer)	Smart	-(timer)	Smart	Smart	Smart	Semi-smart	-(timer)	Smart	Smart	Smart	Smart + Refresh + Tester	Smart	-(timer)	Smart	Smart + Refresh	Unknown	Smart?	Smart?	Smart	Smart
Charge time
Fast charge*2​ 1-2 AA	-	100 min	100 min	100 min	-	~12 min	~12min	-	64 min	60 min	60 min	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	140 min (1 cell)	150 min	-	-	210 min	75 min (1 cell) 110 min (2 cells)	-	100 min	240 min (1 cell per bank)	-	-	-	12h (not in use)	4.5h (AC adapter)	4.5h (AC adapter charger)	140 min	-
normal charge AA	12h	220 min	220 min	220 min	~30 min	~30 min	~30 min	~12 min	140 min	130 min	120 min	230 min	230 min	250 min	8.5h	13h	17.5h	10h	420 min	420 min	230 min	280 min	300 min	420 min	420 min	420 min	220 min	230 min	220 min	480 min	300 min	300 min	300 min	24h (while in use)	-	12h (USB charger)	280 min	180 min
Fast charge*2​ 1-2 AAA	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	65 min	70 min	60 min	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	60 min (1 cell)	75 min	-	-	180 min	65 min (1 cell) 100 min (2 cells)	-	-	90 min (1 cell per bank)	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
normal charge AAA	8.5h	155 min	155 min	155 min	~60 min	~30 min	~30 min	~13 min	-	-	120 min	135 min	135 min	170 min	5.5h	8h	8h	8h	360 min	360 min	-	120 min	150 min	360 min	360 min	360 min	200 min	135 min	155 min	180 min	240 min	240 min	240 min	-	-	-	-	70 min
normal charge C	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	270 min	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
normal charge D	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	510 min	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Charge Rate​
Fast charge*2​ 1-2 AA	-	1275mA	1275mA	1275mA	-	20000mA	20000mA	-	unknown	2140mA	2000mA	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	850mA x 1	900mA	-	-	600mA	1680mA x 1 1120mA x 2	-	1275mA	560mA	-	-	-	160mA?	460mA?	460mA?	850mA x1	-
normal charge AA	160mA	565mA	565mA	565mA	5700mA	10000mA	10000mA	8300mA	unknown	1090mA	1000mA	550mA	550mA	600mA	240mA	180-270mA	120mA	250mA	300mA	300mA	550mA	450mA	450mA	300mA	300mA	300mA	560mA	550mA	565mA	280mA	450mA	450mA	450mA	80mA?	-	160mA?	450mA	680mA
Fast charge*2​ 1-2 AAA	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	unknown	700mA	800mA	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	850mA x 1	900mA	-	-	300mA	840mA x 1 560mA x 2	-	-	560mA	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
normal charge AAA	100mA	310mA	310mA	310mA	900mA	7500mA	7500mA	3500mA	unknown	-	400mA	380mA	380mA	380mA	130mA	100-180mA	120mA	120mA	150mA	150mA	-	450mA	450mA	150mA	150mA	150mA	280mA	380mA	310mA	280mA	250mA	250mA	250mA	-	-		-	680mA
normal charge C/D	-	-	-	-	-		-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	784mA	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Voltage	100	100-240	100-240	100-240	100-240 (8-15VDC)	100-240 (12VDC)	100-240 (12VDC)	100-240 (12-16VDC)	100-240	100-240	100-240	100-240	100-240	100-240	100-240	240	240	240	100-120	100-240	100-240	5VDC	5.3VDC	100-240	100-240	100-120	100-240	100-240	100-240	100-240 (5.5VDC)	110-240	110-240	110-240	100 (5VDC)	100-240 (3.5VDC)	100-240 (5VDC)	5VDC	Inductive
Available in	Japan	Japan Asia	Japan	Asia US/Canada	Japan Asia Europe	Asia Europe	Asia Europe	Asia Europe	Japan Asia	Asia US/Canada	Asia Canada	Worldwide	Worldwide	Asia Europe	Asia	Asia	Asia Europe	Asia Europe	Japan US/Canada	Asia US/Canada	US/Canada	Worldwide	Japan	Japan Asia	US/Canada Japan	Japan	Japan Asia Europe	Japan	Japan	Japan Asia Europe	Taiwan	Taiwan	Taiwan	Japan	Japan	Japan US/Canada	Worldwide	Japan
Plug type	US plug	US/Euro	US plug	US/Euro	US/Euro	Euro plug	Euro plug	UK/Euro	US/Euro	US/Euro	US plug	US plug	US plug	UK/Euro	Euro plug	Euro plug	Euro plug	UK/Euro	US plug	US/Euro	US plug	USB	Solar	US plug	US plug	US plug	US/UK/Euro	US plug	US plug	US/Euro	US plug	US plug	US plug	US plug	US plug	US plug	USB	Qi wireless

*1 NC-TGU01 is a multi battery charger, AA cells can be charged at the 784mA rate unofficially using the C cell charging banks. There is no 9V charging capability as there still isn't a 9V Eneloop battery. For 9V charging, use its replacement charger model: Panasonic BQ-CC25.
*2 Fast charging can only be done with 1 to 2 cells. and not with 3 or 4 at the same time.
*3 timer based charger intended especially for eneloop Lite, therefore its not recommended to use with standard eneloops.
*4 Although the 15-30 minute chargers from Sanyo feature active cooling fans, they are still not recommended to use them due to diminished cell life and far exceeds Sanyo/FDK/Fujitsu's maximum 1C charging rate. Use at your own risk! Best for "emergency" ultra quick charge only!
*5 the Taiwan market chargers were not made by Sanyo and was sold by the local distributor. They are poorly constructed chargers and safety defects had been encountered. They are now sold under the "Sanlux" brand by the same distributor. Use at your own risk!
*6 Around 2013 to 2014, Panasonic released the BQ-CC14 charger to the Southeast Asian market with a pair of Panasonic Evolta HHR-3MVT cells. It is essentially a rebadged NC-MDU01 after the discontinuation of the Sanyo brand, but it is unknown if the firmware was updated to support Evolta cells despite the fact that they came bundled with the Evolta cells and bearing in mind with Panasonic Japan's charger compatibility recommendation. Elsewhere, such as North America, Panasonic bundled this charger with some of their own Bluetooth wireless headphones and labeled it as DE-PAD010B. The Bluetooth wireless headphones appears to had been bundled with a HHR-4DPA cell. Interestingly, there is only a "BC" mark on the back label and no FCC, CE, or VCCI regulatory markings, unlike the NC-MDU01, while the BQ-CC14 has no regulatory markings whatsoever.

Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, although no guarantees of accuracy are provided nor can be assumed. Please correct or contribute if information incorrect/missing.

 

[Treeguy]

Re: Sanyo chargers

How is this setup for a rechargeable newbie who is satisfied with "good enough but not the best"? The price is certainly right.

http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00JHKSMJU/

Also, what about the Duracell 8000 charger?

 

[Kouryu]

Re: Sanyo chargers

it's a good charger, but it's SLOW
You're better off spending your money on a BQ-CC16 or BQ-CC21... both have to be imported, but they're easily found on ebay/amazon as part of battery + charger sets

 

[Treeguy]

Re: Sanyo chargers

it's a good charger, but it's SLOW
You're better off spending your money on a BQ-CC16 or BQ-CC21... both have to be imported, but they're easily found on ebay/amazon as part of battery + charger sets

I'm not in a rush.

If it's good, simple, and it's inexpensive (somewhat like myself) and it comes with 4xAA Eneloops for $25 on Amazon, it just might be my baby. The Duracell 8000 is available at all the stores here, but it's almost twice the price. And the Duracell comes with 2xAA and 2xAAA I don't really need the AAA.

I appreciate the comment as to the quality of the charger. I'm always in need of emotional security with anything electric.

 

[WalkIntoTheLight]

Re: Sanyo chargers

How is this setup for a rechargeable newbie who is satisfied with "good enough but not the best"? The price is certainly right.

Yes, that's a great price (for Canada). I have the same charger (BQ-CC17) that comes with a Costco bundle, and I use that charger quite a bit. It's slow, but the nice thing is that it completely terminates charging when done, with no trickle-charging. Trickle-charging might be bad for LSD batteries like Eneloops, so I use the BQ-CC17 charger when I'm not in a rush and don't want to hang-around to remove the cells from my other chargers that use trickle-charging when complete.

 

[Kouryu]

It's a good charger and works fine if you don't have to charge a bunch of batteries at a time. Otherwise, waiting all day for them to finish charging before you charge another batch will make you want to get another of the same charger so you can use 2 chargers at the same time.

Like I said, the BQ-CC16 and BQ-CC21 are much better... the BQ-CC21 is easier to get and cheaper to get from Japan than getting the BQ-CC16 from European and Asian countries... for $20-30 US, you can get the BQ-CC21.. depending on where and whether you got it as a "kit" with batteries

 

[MidnightDistortions]

I just use the C9000 if i need to charge Eneloops quickly. 2A actually does quite nicely with Eneloops for that charger and i have zero issues charging at 1A. Otherwise if i'm going to be gone or just need a quick travel charger, the BQ-CC17 does fine.. amazon has the BQ-CC21 but it's $100.

 

[Kouryu]

Actually, if you search "Eneloop forest" on Amazon, there's the Forest Tones limited edition set that shows up for about $32... You expect Amazon to show this when you search "BQ-CC21", but it doesn't... same with ebay, search the same way or "Eneloop limited" and the same kit shows up for about the same price
Also, on ebay, if you search "BQ-CC21", you can buy just the charger alone for about $25

Like I said... the price is pretty good and IMO, is a better deal than getting the BQ-CC17 + 4 batteries set

 

[MidnightDistortions]

Oh cool thanks. Saved it for later, eventually i'll get it.. i got 2 BQ-CC17's, the BC1000 and C9000 so for now i don't need any more chargers, they come with a set of Eneloops or something?

 

[Kouryu]

You can get just the BQ-CC21 charger (white only)... that's on ebay for $25 right now... the Forest tone sets I've mentioned comes with 4 forest tone cells along with a black BQ-CC21 charger... those "limited edition" kits have either AAA sets or AA sets, so you have to be careful when purchasing... they also have regular sets that come with the white charger of course, but they're harder to find... and finally, there's the eneloop pro kits that comes with the black charger (cheaper on ebay compared to amazon)

 

[ChibiM]

Re: Sanyo chargers

Thanks a lot for the list.

would it be possible to add the Panasonic BQ CC xx chargers to the list as well?