radellaf
Flashlight Enthusiast
I just picked up a new version of the Energizer 15 min charger from WalMart, $30 with 4xAA 2300 "Energizer Recharge" cells Model CH15MN2 . I see some discussion on here of the 2300 energizers, but all the posts about 15 min chargers are 3-5 years old.
Anyone done any testing on the new version?
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Couldn't find any definite conclusions as to whether these 2300mAh Energizers are the same as the old ones of the same capacity. Just wondering if these "new" energizers are now the best in-store available non-LSD NiMH cells?
They say made in Japan, but no "HR" stamp on the bottom. They're not LSD from the test results I saw, but the charge retention seemed way better than typical NiMH. Too many of the comparisons were "polluted" by comparisons with 2400+ mAh AAs, none of which I've been real happy with. And of course, the text on the box is comparing with their own 2450 cells. I gave away all my regular NiMH cells when the eneloops debuted, and never had any regrets. But,
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One thing I think is different is that it's only 15 min with 1 or 2 cells. 3 or 4 and it's a 30 min charger. Naturally, I'm curious if it can be modified to charge 2 at the 30 min rate.
Main motivation for buying it was that it looks like a book or a WD Essentials hard drive (a lot cooler than the old version) and, well, I was on a car trip and wanted some charged batteries before reaching my destination. This model includes a car cord. Can't say I have too much use for this thing at home, but 15 or 30 minutes is great on the road. If you're in more of a hurry, I imagine not charging to 100% is better for the cells, too. The new model sure smells the same as the RayOVac, Duracell, and old Energizer 15 min. There's some sort of plastic electronics smell that seems unique to these chargers. I remember it from some 1980s electronics, too, and from any time I let the smoke out of a plastic packaged semiconductor. It's not burning components, though, since the smell is there right out of the package. Unless their burn-in testing really lives up to the name.
Anyone done any testing on the new version?
---
Couldn't find any definite conclusions as to whether these 2300mAh Energizers are the same as the old ones of the same capacity. Just wondering if these "new" energizers are now the best in-store available non-LSD NiMH cells?
They say made in Japan, but no "HR" stamp on the bottom. They're not LSD from the test results I saw, but the charge retention seemed way better than typical NiMH. Too many of the comparisons were "polluted" by comparisons with 2400+ mAh AAs, none of which I've been real happy with. And of course, the text on the box is comparing with their own 2450 cells. I gave away all my regular NiMH cells when the eneloops debuted, and never had any regrets. But,
---
One thing I think is different is that it's only 15 min with 1 or 2 cells. 3 or 4 and it's a 30 min charger. Naturally, I'm curious if it can be modified to charge 2 at the 30 min rate.
Main motivation for buying it was that it looks like a book or a WD Essentials hard drive (a lot cooler than the old version) and, well, I was on a car trip and wanted some charged batteries before reaching my destination. This model includes a car cord. Can't say I have too much use for this thing at home, but 15 or 30 minutes is great on the road. If you're in more of a hurry, I imagine not charging to 100% is better for the cells, too. The new model sure smells the same as the RayOVac, Duracell, and old Energizer 15 min. There's some sort of plastic electronics smell that seems unique to these chargers. I remember it from some 1980s electronics, too, and from any time I let the smoke out of a plastic packaged semiconductor. It's not burning components, though, since the smell is there right out of the package. Unless their burn-in testing really lives up to the name.
