Bones
Enlightened
Sanyo Eneloop MQHO3 Charger - Observed
TheµMQHO3µ(NC-MQHO3-U) Super Quick charger appears to be a new offering from Sanyo which was first reported by RGB_LED.
Outside of Asia, it's only been found bundled with a version of the Eneloop Family Pack offered exclusively by Costco Canada.
It excludes the Eneloopy tester depicted in these images from thaicharger.com:
The chargers shown in the fourth image are, respectively, the MQHO3, the MQRO2, and the MQRO3.
The pack currently wholesales at Costco for *44.99 CAD, although it's occasionally subjected to an instant 10.00 manufacturer's discount.
The pack originally bore Sanyo part number ECH422, and consisted of these components:
1 - MQHO3 Charger
2 - AA to C Adapters
2 - AA to D Adapters
4 - Eneloop AA Cells
2 - Eneloop AAA Cells
1 - Folding Travel Case
The part number was subsequently revised to ECH4400, and the contents amended to these components:
1 - MQHO3 Charger
4 - Eneloop AA Cells
4 - Eneloop AAA Cells
1 - 12 volt DC Auto Adapter
I believe the addition of the 12 volt DC auto adapter and two more AAA cells more than compensates for the loss of the two C and two D adapters. Especially considering the C and D adapters are commonly available elsewhere, whereas the auto adapter is not.
After spending a few days with this charger, it's my opinion that it (and the trusty MQN05) should replace every other four place charger bundled with the Eneloop in North America.
Here's why:
Four fully independent AA and/or AAA charging channels.
110-220 volt worldwide AC input (internal).
Fold out two blade (North American) plug.
12 volt DC input (including adapter).
Pure white finish (very high gloss).
Pale gray logo and lettering (matches the Eneloop).
Very light, compact and sturdy (should travel well with plug adapters).
A handy auxillary cell holder (presumed with some assurance).
Recent build code LLM (which equates to 13 Dec 2007).
The specifications:
You will note from both its appearance and specifications, this charger could be purpose built for the Eneloop.
Its output when charging AA cells is either 1000mA or 2000mA, which is exactly equivalent to .5C and 1C for the Eneloop AA cell. As well, its output when charging AAA cells is either 400mA or 800mA, which is again exactly equivalent to .5C and 1C for the Eneloop AAA cell.
Based on my somewhat casual tests and observations, it appears capable of automatically recognizing and independently charging any combination of one to four Eneloop AA and/or AAA cells. It can charge one or two Eneloop AA and/or AAA cells at their respective 1C rates, and from one to four Eneloop AA and/or AAA cells at their respective .5C rates.
If both inner positions are vacant, the outer positions will automatically charge one or two Eneloop AA and/or AAA cells at their respective 1C rates. If at least one inner position is occupied, all positions will automatically charge from one to four Eneloop AA and/or AAA cells at their respective .5C rates.
The single green charge indicator located below the battery compartment will light when the charger is powered on, and remain lit until the charge properly terminates on all the cells in the charger.
The charger also appears to apply what is probably a 'maintenance' charge following the primary charge cycle. As long as it remains powered on, it emits barely audible pulses that appear to correspond with the number and mix of cells in the charger.
The instruction to place AA and/or AAA cells in the outer postions when charging only one or two appears to be just to emphasize the 'super quick' rate, and is not an operational restriction. You can instead choose to charge at .5C by simply placing at least one of the two cells in an inner position.
However, the instructions to neither insert nor remove cells during the charging process should probably be complied with. It's just prudent to ensure the charger is properly re-set prior to commencing a charge, and thereafter not interfered with while charging.
An image of the complete manual, in two parts, can be found here and here, and it is also hyperlinked to the upper and lower portions of the copy of the specifications.
Finally, respecting its general performance, I found this charger terminates reliably, even when tricked with charged cells; charges to about the same capacity as the MQN05 and/or the MH-C9000 first edition, and seemed to leave my Eneloops comfortably below temperatures I would deem harmful.
Overall, I consider this a solid offering from Sanyo, and even though I would really like to acquire one, the last thing I need is more of the Eneloops and adapters its bundled with. Accordingly, the one I'm using is borrowed, so if there's an observation or test you would still like me to take or to try, let me know as soon as possible.
*Regrettably, some time after this post was authored, Costco Canada replaced the family pack containing the MQH03 charger with a significantly down-sized version containing the vastly inferior model MQH06 charger.
TheµMQHO3µ(NC-MQHO3-U) Super Quick charger appears to be a new offering from Sanyo which was first reported by RGB_LED.
Outside of Asia, it's only been found bundled with a version of the Eneloop Family Pack offered exclusively by Costco Canada.
It excludes the Eneloopy tester depicted in these images from thaicharger.com:
The chargers shown in the fourth image are, respectively, the MQHO3, the MQRO2, and the MQRO3.
The pack currently wholesales at Costco for *44.99 CAD, although it's occasionally subjected to an instant 10.00 manufacturer's discount.
The pack originally bore Sanyo part number ECH422, and consisted of these components:
1 - MQHO3 Charger
2 - AA to C Adapters
2 - AA to D Adapters
4 - Eneloop AA Cells
2 - Eneloop AAA Cells
1 - Folding Travel Case
The part number was subsequently revised to ECH4400, and the contents amended to these components:
1 - MQHO3 Charger
4 - Eneloop AA Cells
4 - Eneloop AAA Cells
1 - 12 volt DC Auto Adapter
I believe the addition of the 12 volt DC auto adapter and two more AAA cells more than compensates for the loss of the two C and two D adapters. Especially considering the C and D adapters are commonly available elsewhere, whereas the auto adapter is not.
After spending a few days with this charger, it's my opinion that it (and the trusty MQN05) should replace every other four place charger bundled with the Eneloop in North America.
Here's why:
Four fully independent AA and/or AAA charging channels.
110-220 volt worldwide AC input (internal).
Fold out two blade (North American) plug.
12 volt DC input (including adapter).
Pure white finish (very high gloss).
Pale gray logo and lettering (matches the Eneloop).
Very light, compact and sturdy (should travel well with plug adapters).
A handy auxillary cell holder (presumed with some assurance).
Recent build code LLM (which equates to 13 Dec 2007).
The specifications:
You will note from both its appearance and specifications, this charger could be purpose built for the Eneloop.
Its output when charging AA cells is either 1000mA or 2000mA, which is exactly equivalent to .5C and 1C for the Eneloop AA cell. As well, its output when charging AAA cells is either 400mA or 800mA, which is again exactly equivalent to .5C and 1C for the Eneloop AAA cell.
Based on my somewhat casual tests and observations, it appears capable of automatically recognizing and independently charging any combination of one to four Eneloop AA and/or AAA cells. It can charge one or two Eneloop AA and/or AAA cells at their respective 1C rates, and from one to four Eneloop AA and/or AAA cells at their respective .5C rates.
If both inner positions are vacant, the outer positions will automatically charge one or two Eneloop AA and/or AAA cells at their respective 1C rates. If at least one inner position is occupied, all positions will automatically charge from one to four Eneloop AA and/or AAA cells at their respective .5C rates.
The single green charge indicator located below the battery compartment will light when the charger is powered on, and remain lit until the charge properly terminates on all the cells in the charger.
The charger also appears to apply what is probably a 'maintenance' charge following the primary charge cycle. As long as it remains powered on, it emits barely audible pulses that appear to correspond with the number and mix of cells in the charger.
The instruction to place AA and/or AAA cells in the outer postions when charging only one or two appears to be just to emphasize the 'super quick' rate, and is not an operational restriction. You can instead choose to charge at .5C by simply placing at least one of the two cells in an inner position.
However, the instructions to neither insert nor remove cells during the charging process should probably be complied with. It's just prudent to ensure the charger is properly re-set prior to commencing a charge, and thereafter not interfered with while charging.
An image of the complete manual, in two parts, can be found here and here, and it is also hyperlinked to the upper and lower portions of the copy of the specifications.
Finally, respecting its general performance, I found this charger terminates reliably, even when tricked with charged cells; charges to about the same capacity as the MQN05 and/or the MH-C9000 first edition, and seemed to leave my Eneloops comfortably below temperatures I would deem harmful.
Overall, I consider this a solid offering from Sanyo, and even though I would really like to acquire one, the last thing I need is more of the Eneloops and adapters its bundled with. Accordingly, the one I'm using is borrowed, so if there's an observation or test you would still like me to take or to try, let me know as soon as possible.
*Regrettably, some time after this post was authored, Costco Canada replaced the family pack containing the MQH03 charger with a significantly down-sized version containing the vastly inferior model MQH06 charger.
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