Apple's new AA batteries and charger combo

[tsarna]

Maybe a bit consumer-y, but I think you did a battery charger before...

Amongst new computers and LCDs and such today, Apple announced something that caught me by surprise... an NiMH charger with 6 low-self-discharge batteries (of unknown capacity) for US$29.

They claim it "sets a new industry standard" in standby power consumption when not charging, at 30mW. As usual, they're tight lipped on specs otherwise.

I'd love to see you "take it apaaaht" and see wether's it's all it's cracked up to be.

(for that matter I'd love to see one of those insanely small USB power cubes they include with iPhones in North America get the Dave treatment, but it looks like the AU model is completely different and much bigger)

[mikeselectricstuff]

(for that matter I'd love to see one of those insanely small USB power cubes they include with iPhones in North America get the Dave treatment, but it looks like the AU model is completely different and much bigger)

I've had one of those apart, after a bit of a fight. Quite neat but a rather labour-intensive assembly with a couple of stacked PCBs with a fair amount of hand-soldered interconnect wires etc, and some parts hardwired to the back of the plug pins.
Although it does run on 230v, I suspect the insulation clearances etc. are based on 110v standards, and it may only have US safety approvals. I might still have it somewhere - if I can find it I'll post some pics.

[NiHaoMike]

30mW standby use is not all that impressive. TI's bq24400 uses a maximum of 5uA in standby.

[tsarna]

30mW standby use is not all that impressive. TI's bq24400 uses a maximum of 5uA in standby.

Apples and oranges... you can't compare an IC to a plug-in wall charger!

[Zero999]

That's true, how would you get 5µA at 5V to drive an SMPS controller? Typically a shunt or (better) a linear regulator?

Note that there's no mention of power factor, for all we know, it could draw 4mA in standby to power a 5V capacitive transformerless power supply, which would consume just under 30mW but the apparent power would be closer to 1VA.

[Markjupiter]

The charger battery and the Apple batteries enhance the capabilities better than the usual ones that we've used. I don't know the name of the gadget used in charging some devices like cellphones, and flashlights, among others through AA batteries. It is portable because you don't need to plug it into a socket for the battery itself can charge your devices.

[kaptain_zero]

I'd just like to point a few things out.

Things like low standby current in a 2 *only* AA/AAA plug in charger. I find this of no value in my home, we use far too many AA/AAA/9V powered devices in our house to bother with such a small charger. Though it has that Apple look, you can get ANY charger to use NO current by simply unplugging it from the wall, which is what I do with ALL chargers. You just never know when one is going to fail. I prefer analyzing chargers, they take one to four AA/AAA cells, can cycle, test each cell and give me reports on their health, allowing me to match cells together for best use and to cull cells that are failing and would possible add extra wear and tear on the remaining good cells in a group of 2 or more. I initially considered one of the 8 cell chargers, but they do not have all the features of an analyzing charger so I purchased 2 analyzing ones instead.

"Apple supplied AA cells"  means just that, it's a re-badged cell from another manufacturer. I suspect they are Sanyo Eneloops as those cells are also sold as Duracell Pre-charged in Canada. Don't get me wrong, these new LSD cells are great and Sanyo makes the best.  Do I know if Apple is using Sanyo cells? No, I don't..... I'm just guessing based on the fact that Sanyo has re-badged for Duracell. I find these new Low Self Discharge NiMH cells great, you can charge them and toss them in the drawer for when you need them. Even after a year you should have 70% to 80% of it's capacity left without having to recharge. I do have a simple plan here of cycling all cells once every 6 months. After January 1st I cycle all unused cells in the drawer so they are up to full capacity, then I change all the cells in all the devices throughout the house and cycle those in the charger and put them away as spares.  I do this again on Canada's birthday which is July 1st. which works out great.
Otherwise, cells are swapped out when they run dry, digital cameras and one of my remote controllers seem to be pretty hard on batteries so they get changed a bit more often, when needed.

I have to admit though, Apple knows how to make something look sexy and useful....... I'm still trying NOT to buy an Ipad.   

Regards

Christian

[sonicj]

f that!

2200mah lsd aa's for $1.29 link

i wish more electronics would embrace the LiXx 18650 format.
-sj

[kaptain_zero]

Sonicj, thanks for the link.... I never even thought of checking with that outfit.... (sigh... and I just placed an order earlier today for some other stuff).  Mind you, I got my last Duracell cells for about the same price on sale locally.

Regards

Christian