Rayovac Cheap IC3 Prices

[tippy]

Last week I picked up a Rayovac IC3 charger that included 2AAA and 2AA batteries from Walmart for $17.00. I also noticed this week that Target has the 2 bay charger with 2 AA's for $9.00 and 4 packs of 2000mah IC3 batteries for $5.48. Do you think they are dropping prices to clear out stock before introducing new chargers\batteries?

 

[PeLu]

Which one was it?
Probably the 'old' one with 2Ah cells....

 

[tippy]

The charger is model PS6-4BW and came with 2 AA's (2000mah) and 2 AAA's (800mah).

I didn't know the 2000mah were "old" and haven't seen any larger capacity IC3's in a store or on Rayovac's website.

I guess even if they are not the highest capacity, it still seems like a good deal getting a 4 bay charger, 10 AA's and 2 AAA's for less then $30.

 

[PeLu]

Yes, it is a very good deal, indeed.

It looks like the 2.3Ah version and the newer charger are not yet available in the US.
As I wrote in another thread, I'm very pleased with teh new charger as it charges other cells in a decent time (1.7Ah in about 50 minutes) really full and shut off then.
The 2.3Ah cells need up to almost 20 minutes.
Wall wart is still a strong switching power supply with wide range input. Car cord is included.

 

[Zigzago]

My local Target had the IC3 AAs on clearance but the price was $7.68 for a 4 pack. Still a good price.

If they're on clearance I would think either something better is coming or they are dropping that product line.

PeLu: can you fully charge the 2300 batteries in the older IC3 charger?

 

[STEVENT6]

I bought the charger for $17 at a walmart in PA last wk. and 2 pks of the batteries today at a local target for 5.48. I heard about the newer 2300 batteries. Does anyone know if the older charger will charge the newer 2300 mah batteries or vice versa? I'm guessing the older one may charge the newer battery if you put the battery in again after it shuts off. Or is this maybe unsafe?

Thanks,

 

[PeLu]

Yes, the older charger will fully charge the newer cells, and there is no need to put them in again as the end of charge is not determined by the time (what a silly method).
Of course you could also use the 2Ah cells in the new charger, but it may give you a shorter lifetime.
I use the new charger for many different cells, as it also charges normal NiMH cells in a decent time. And shuts off correctly.

 

[TrueBlue]

I found the clearance price of the IC3 cells at Target for $5.48...half price. It is a good price so I bought three packages and left behind about 15 more packages. After tax the cost is about $1.50 each for 2000mA cells. The cells test better than their stated capacity. I should go get some more.

I wonder if Rayovac has given up on the charging system or are they coming out with more powerful cells? Personally I think Rayovac gave up.

The cells do charge in regular chargers so it is good deal the public really doesn't know about. I would believe the general public see the package as saying 15 minute cells for the IC3 charger and since not a lot of people have the charger they don't buy the cells.

 

[PeLu]

Yes, the cells do charge in almost all chargers, but the (short?) interruption at the end of charge confuses most intelligent charges and you get an 'error' reading.
This makes cycling impossible.