(SANYO) announces today new additions to the ‘eneloop universe’ products: C- and D-size ‘eneloop’ batteries

So, looks like C and D eneloops are right around the corner. I am talking with Sanyo about them now. Until I know more from the horses mouth read this.

This may be for our NON USA customers but we shall see.

Press Release

eneloop offered in full line-up of sizes from AAA to D, Charger can charge all sizes!

Tokyo, – SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. (SANYO) announces today new additions to the ‘eneloop universe’ products: C- and D-size ‘eneloop’ batteries and a Universal Charger, to be sold in Japan starting from September 12, 2008.
These much-awaited C- and D-size ‘eneloop’ batteries expand the line-up of eneloop, which currently includes AA- and AAA-sizes, with the AA-size eneloop able to be used with adapters (spacers) for conversion to C- and D-sizes. ‘eneloop’ batteries combine the benefits of dry cell batteries by coming pre-charged*1 with the economic and environmental benefits of rechargeable batteries, as it is rechargeable up to 1,000 times*2. With the new C- and D-size eneloop, SANYO provides an increase in capacity and longer power supply for C- and D-sized eneloop of 1.6 times and 3 times (respectively) compared to AA eneloop and ‘spacers’.

The announced ‘Universal Charger’ can charge all ‘eneloop’ battery sizes from the smallest, AAA, to the largest, D. With advanced charging technology including voltage monitoring to prevent overcharging, the Universal Charger also has LED lights to indicate charge status.

Main Features: C- and D-size ‘eneloop’
• Provide longer power supply with increased capacity for the C- and D-size eneloop batteries, about 1.6 times and 3 times respectively compared with AA-size eneloop and spacers
• Equipped with an overheating protection function for safe and reliable use
• Exterior tube is antibacterial*4, designed to suit a wide range of consumer and commercial needs

Main Features: Universal Charger
• Charge ‘eneloop’ of all sizes, from the smallest, AAA, to largest, D, with a single charger
• Voltage of each battery is monitored and controlled by a built-in microcomputer to prevent overcharging
• 8 separate LED status light displays battery charge state for confirmation at a glance

1 Varies depending on storage conditions, but typically can be used up to 2 years after manufacture without recharging
2 An indication based on JIS C8708 2007(7.4) testing method on battery life.
3 Open price does not set manufacturer’s suggested retail price.
4 Antibacterial agent: inorganic antibacterial agent, processing method: print, processed part: exterior package, Testing agency: Japan Spinners Inspecting Foundation, SIAA registration number: JP0122085A0002V. Testing method: JIS Z 2801

Main Features: C- and D-size ‘eneloop’

1. Provide longer power supply with increased capacity for the C- and D-size eneloop batteries, about 1.6 times and 3 times respectively compared with AA-size eneloop and spacers
– Change from AA-sized eneloop used with spacers to actual C- and D-size eneloop
– Increases storage capacity, translating to longer supply of power battery/spacer combination
– Capacity for D-size increased approximately 3 times, capacity for C-size increased by 1.6 times

2. Equipped with an overheating protection function for safe and reliable use
– To protect against overheating, an ‘Overheating prevention function*5’ with a built-in current protection device (a Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) device*6) has been adopted
– New function designed to protect against abnormal heating and electrolyte leakage
– Designed to meet needs with high reliability for devices ranging from children’s toys to commercial applications

3. Exterior tube is antibacterial*4, designed to suit a wide range of domestic and commercial needs
– Exterior tube encasing the battery cell is antibacterial*4, offering sanitation and cleanliness to eneloop’s economic and environmental benefits
– In addition to the new batteries, the previous AA – and AAA-sized eneloop have also been updated
– New exterior makes battery suitable for standard consumer applications as well as offices and commercial situations where handled by multiple people

Main Features: ‘Universal Charger’

1. Charge ‘eneloop’ of all sizes, from the smallest, AAA, to largest, D, with a single charger
– Built-in four (4) total C- and D-size eneloop charging slots, as well as four (4) 2 -pocket AA- and AAA-size (paired) eneloop charging slots
– Simultaneously charge up to 4 C- or D-sized eneloop in the upper four slots and up to 8 AA- or AAA-sized eneloop in the lower slots
– Charges AA- and AAA-size eneloop up to twice as fast*7
– The positive terminal is easily adjustable to switch between C- and D-size eneloop, as well as AA- and AAA-size eneloop
– Mix and match sizes for simultaneous charging
– Comes with cover to protect for foreign objects disrupting the charging batteries

2. Voltage of each battery is monitored and controlled by a built-in microcomputer to prevent overcharging.
– Adopts SANYO’s time-proven rapid charger ‘peak-cut method’ to control charging
– System allows the voltage change of each battery to be individually monitored, halting charging as peak voltage is detected (when fully charged)
– Designed to prevent batteries from being overcharged or damaged by charging

3. 8 separate LED status light displays battery charge state for confirmation at a glance
– Charger equipped with 8 lamps (or one for each charging slot)
– Lamps display charge status in red and blue
– Easy to see LED lamps, confirm charge state in a glance

Background and Supplemental Information
Since the ‘eneloop’ was released in November, 2005, it has received high market acclaim as shown by the numbers, having shipped a cumulative total of 50 million cells in 60 countries worldwide (as of April 30, 2008), for its user-friendliness as the rechargeable batteries come pre-charged*1 when sold and as they are rechargeable for use up to 1000 times*2. Previously, the use of C- and D- size batteries were enabled with adaptors (spacers) that allowed the users to use a AA-size battery as a C-/D-size battery. However, to serve customer needs*8 related to using the batteries longer and without having to load the battery into the provided spacers, the lineup will be expanded to include the C- and D-sized ‘eneloop’. Additionally, to meet all charging needs from domestic to commercial, the ‘Universal Charger’, which can charge up to 4 C- / D-size, and up to 8 AA- / AAA-size ‘eneloop’ batteries, is being released. SANYO will continue to offer an expanded lineup of the ‘eneloop’ series in its global effort to make the new lifestyle of reusing batteries more convenient and accessible.