Rayovac Debuts 15-Minute Charger System

LAS VEGAS— Rayovac introduced a 15-minute rechargeable battery system at the International CES here earlier this month. As a part of what the battery maker calls its new I-C³ technology, the system includes both 15Min Recharger and 15Min Rechargeable batteries.

The charger, which is expected to shorten the charging time of AA and AAA nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries to 15 minutes or less, is said by Rayovac to be the first of its kind. It will be available this fall or Christmas at a suggested $30 retail, packaged with two AA 2000 mAh NiMH cells.

At the same time it announced the charger, Madison, Wis.-based Rayovac introduced batteries designed specifically for charging in the I-C³ system. "These batteries put the control of recharging into the battery instead of the recharger," said Jerry Albright, Rayovac's VP/North American Marketing. A pressure control mechanism in each battery individually senses its own internal pressure and controls its own charge, eliminating any internal pressure build-up, he continued.

Rayovac's 15-minute recharging battery is said to provide significant advantages over other battery technologies. These include the fastest recharging time ever; longest lasting rechargeable battery in many devices (up to four times longer than alkaline cells in a digital camera); recharging up to 1,000 times; and safe design, with the I-C³ system monitoring the charge in each individual battery for safety, speed and reliability.

The new two-position charger will detect the new I-C³ cells and charge in 15 minutes or less. Either two AA cells or two AAA cells can be charged at the same time. NiMH batteries, other than I-C³ types, will charge in one hour in the new charger, while nickel-metal cadmium cells also will charge in an hour.

Suggested retail for a 4-pack of I-C³ 15Min Rechargeable batteries is $15-plus, compared with $12 to $14 for a 4-pack of other NiMH cells. Availability is also fall to Christmas of 2003.

Rayovac will support introduction of its 15Min Recharger and 15Min Rechargeable batteries with a $10 million consumer advertising campaign this fall. Media will include television, newsprint and the Internet. Point-of-purchase material for the products will include self-display shippers and sidekicks.