New Rechargeable Battery Challenges Alkalines
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 09.12.06
Uniross, a rechargeable battery manufacturer, has released its range of "hybrid" Hybrio batteries in North America. (They will be fully available in late October). The Hybrio batteries mix the best of disposables batteries (fully-charged out of the box) with the best of rechargeable batteries (can be recharged), whilst keeping the price down, which is the main reason that people continue to buy environmentally damaging one-use batteries. Sanyo has a similar offering -- Eneloop -- which is another rechargeable which comes fully charged. A four-pack of fully charged Hybrios with a charger comes in at around £15, and each battery keeps 70% of its charge after a year, can cope with up to 500 charge cycles, and is protected by a three year limited warranty. The Worldwide Wildlife Fund recently let the company stick its logo on the packets. :: Hybrio via Ecogeek via Engadget
Can either those or the eneloop be charged by plain old NiMH charger? I don't want/need another charger, thats part of the reason the Renewal's flopped, having 12 different chargers sitting around plugged in wasting electricity will waste a lot too. I have a combination NiCad/MiMH charger which takes 12v in so I can charge from a vehicle while driving or hook to a 12v sla which has been charged from solar or whatever. I don't want another charger.
I can't seem to find anything on the battery materials or disposal information. I'm at least comfortable with NiMH because Radio Shack and all the other places will take them and dispose of them properly. It'd different than what we have now, but is it better?
Mike
What chemistry are these batteries using?
Okay, but what happens after you recharge it for the 500th time? And what about disposal?
ok. Here are some answers to the above questions.
Chargers: Hybrio works with any standard battery charger for that you would use with other AA or AAA Ni-MH rechargeable batteries.
Disposal: You should recycle Hybrio like any Ni-MH battery. The US distributor (http://www.rechargeablesonline.com) says that they will be starting a reclaim program in early 2007.