PowerGenix Nickel Zinc Battery Technology—-Changing the Game
For Immediate Release: May 30th 2009
We at DepotEco are adding something really exciting to our inventory this summer! We have the honor of being one of the first stores to offer the newest in innovative Nickel-Zinc (NiZn) battery technology from PowerGenix.
In the past few years, interest in PowerGenix NiZn batteries has skyrocketed as their reputation for producing the most reliable, highest quality NiZn technology has grown. Today the company is supplying NiZn cells into multiple markets including power tool, lawn and garden, consumer AA, military, and light electric vehicle (LEV).
In the exciting and quickly evolving world of Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs), PowerGenix and their NiZn battery technology is being recognized as a game changer and real step forward in terms of efficiency, power, environmental soundness, and cost effectiveness. PowerGenix’s NiZn powered Toyota Prius was showcased at the 2009 San Diego International Auto Show where the advanced battery vehicle was featured in the Eco-Center, the main feature of the 2009 show. As the Prius, the Insight, and other new hybrid cars battle it out for the top spot, PowerGenix’s NiZn technology is finding itself at the center of HEV innovation.
PowerGenix has also entered into a supply agreement with PowerEagle, the leading manufacturer of electric bicycles in China. Under the agreement, PowerGenix will supply its NiZn cells for pack fabrication into the entire product line offered by Veloteq, PowerEagle’s North American sales and distribution partner, beginning in 2009. In many other arenas PowerGenix has seen a great increase in demand and investment and has accordingly begun high-volume manufacturing.
For decades NiZn batteries have been recognized for their usefulness in applications demanding high discharge rate capabilities. With a high energy-density ratio and an open circuit voltage of 1.6 volts they have been heralded as the batteries of the future for high drain applications. Now PowerGenix- an innovative San Diego based company founded in 2000- has developed and is manufacturing patented NiZn 1.6 Volt Rechargeable AA batteries that make NiZn technology more effective, useful and available than ever before.
PowerGenix has improved already efficient NiZn technology by increasing cycle-life, lowering cost, reducing size and weight by 30% and improving low temperature discharge behavior. The small size and low internal resistance of PowerGenix NiZn 1.6 Volt Rechargeable AA Batteries enables the delivery of significantly more power during periods of peak demand than a nickel-cadmium (NiCd) or nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery of comparable size.
Another way that PowerGenix NiZn batteries have raised the bar is by their ability to completely recharge in less than two hours and achieve 80% recharge within one hour, a key benefit for cordless power tools, electronics and many other applications. These rechargeable batteries are also completely safe, non-combustible and easier on the environment than other comparable technologies.
Until now, NiZn 1.6 Volt Rechargeable AA batteries have been available only in limited quantities via one camera merchant. But we at DepotEco were so impressed by the efficiency and environmental soundness of these batteries that we were determined to make them available to our customers. We are honored to announce that beginning in late June we will be one of the first stores to carry these amazing batteries. They are now available online and in our brick and mortar store.
Tags: eneloop, High Yeild Camera Battery 1.6V, LSD Battery, Nickle Zinc Rechargeable AA, NiZn, PowerGenix, Rayovac Hybrid
June 16th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
I ordered early. DepotEco is not billing my credit card until my PowerGenix are shipped to me. In case you need to pass the time while waiting for your batteries here is appropriate entertainment:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oiBnFIC0uQ
July 15th, 2009 at 5:51 am
The packaging is a little deceptive. Everyone else rates their batteries in mAh, PowerGenix in mWh. These 2500 mWh batteries have a capacity of about 1400 mAh. So the PowerGenix batteries have only about 74% the capacity of Eneloops. The PowerGenix batteries also have a higher self-discharge rate than Eneloops (50% self-discharge in a year, versus 15%).
July 15th, 2009 at 9:50 am
You are missing the main advantage of the PowerGenix NiZn, They are 1.6 volts for your real power hungry devices, And they are Nickle Zinc. Much Lighter than other NiMh Batteries. So if Weight and Voltage are your concern then you should be looking at the PG NiZn.. PG remember they are a replacement for Alkaline batteries at 1.6 volts.. Keep the comments coming.
July 16th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
A better alternative: mWh
To detail more precisely the performance differences between batteries, the mAh rating—which is the product of current and time—must be enhanced to include voltage. As the product of current, time and voltage, the mWh rating delivers this much-needed measurement improvement.
Returning to the example of NiMh and NiZn cells that are each rated at 800 mAh, the mWh rating reveals the substantial performance difference between the two batteries. With an open circuit voltage of 1.2, the mWh rating of the NiMh cell would be 960 mWh (800mAh x 1.2v). Comparatively, the NiZn cell would have a much higher rating of 1280 mWh (800mAh x 1.6v).
Yes, only by employing the mWh rating does it become evident that there is a significant capacity difference between NiMh and NiZn—a difference that is masked by the limitations of the mAh rating
July 20th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
One reason for the performance difference between the two battery types is that digital cameras, like all electronic devices, have a minimum operating voltage that must be sustained to ensure successful operation. Because NiMH systems typically start at a significantly lower pack voltage than NiZn systems, the NiMH system will fall below the minimum operating voltage of the camera before its NiZn counterpart. Despite the fact that the NiMH battery pack may not have used the entire energy capacity of the pack, the minimum voltage cut-off of the device renders the additional capacity useless.
Because NiZn delivers greater mWh capacity it’s able to provide steady-state optimal performance over a larger portion of the system discharge. This correlates to not only more shots or flashes per charge, but also more responsive electronic performance. In the case of a digital camera this translates into quicker flash recharging and processor speed to allow for shorter recovery time between shots.
The bottom line is that battery pack voltage is not accounted for by the mAh rating convention. The four-cell NiMH battery pack in this example has a pack rating of 4.8 volts (4 x 1.2 volts/cell), compared to the 6.4-volt pack rating of the four-cell NiZn battery pack. This is a significant difference that affects user experience but is overlooked by the mAh rating-and would be accounted for by the new mWh rating.
July 20th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Most electronic gadgets have voltage regulators that can deal easily with over voltage BUT when the voltage is below cut off they ALL stop working. More power is important yes but how much of it is available depends on cut off voltage. What lights your mood light may not operate your wireless microphone. If you know a sound man you never need to buy AA for your flashlight. The higher minimum voltage you need to transmit wireless, turn your wheels or play your tunes the longer the PowerGenix NiZn will last compared to other rechargeables. Not every gadget can take the higher voltage of NiZn. Check carefully first. Putting the right voltage battery in your gadget is like putting the correct grade of gasoline in your car, it is your responsibility to know which. Usually NiMh works as a replacement in rechargeable devices that used NiCad. NiZn is probably the best choice for gadgets that came with alkaline batteries especially if they don’t last long on NiMH or NiCad.
To charge and operate correctly the PowerGenix must have a charger designed for the higher voltage and NiZn characteristics. At present only those by PowerGenix are known to work correctly. Some smart chargers may be programmable to do the job. Anyone with experience on this?
November 10th, 2009 at 10:47 am
[...] few years. Also see PowerGenix White Paper http://www.depoteco.com/powergenix-white-paper/ and PowerGenix Changing the Game http://www.depoteco.com/powergenix-nickel-zinc/ Buy PowerGenix Now [...]
December 15th, 2009 at 5:41 pm
Posts like this are what make the internet great, thanks for sharing.