RAYOVAC PS5-B I-C3 2-Position 15-Minute Battery Charger With Batteries

by Rayovac

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B0000A1OFX
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 7, 2005

Product Description

Charges 2 AA or AAA batteries In-cell charge control Recharges up to 1000 times Charges in 15 minutes or less Will charge any NiMH batteries but at slower rate Includes 2 AA NiMH batteries

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great charger..., February 2, 2004

By 

Hsiao-lung Chang "neuroshock.com" (Davie, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:1.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: RAYOVAC PS5-B I-C3 2-Position 15-Minute Battery Charger With Batteries (Electronics)

This charger works great. Automatic stopping at 15 minutes, then trickle charges if you leave the batteries in the charger. There's a cooler fan when its on the 15 minutes cycle.
The 15 minutes charge only works on Rayovac I-C 3 types of battery, the charger works for other types of rechargeables also, NiMH and MiCd, in the overnight mode. The I-C 3 batteries can be charged in other chargers also, at the charger's rated speed. The PS5 can be used in countries with 120V-240V outlets. Outlet adapters not supplied.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Battery Charger For International Travel, January 25, 2006

By 

fredtownward "The Analytical Mind; Have Brain... (Mocksville, North Carolina, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: RAYOVAC PS5-B I-C3 2-Position 15-Minute Battery Charger With Batteries (Electronics)

This is a must have for international travel if you will be taking AA or AAA battery powered devices. The 15-minute recharging time (for I-C3 batteries only) cannot be beat, and unlike Rayovac's 4-position charger Rayovac Ic3 15 Minute Battery Charger (PS6-4B), this charger is dual voltage. All you need is the appropriate plug adapters and one set of all the Rayovac I-C3 15 Minute Rechargeable Batteries, AA , 4 batteries & Rayovac I-C3 15 Minute NiMH Batteries, AAA Size, 4 Pack required to power all your devices (it comes with Rayovac I-C3 15 Minute NiMH AA Size Carded 2 Pack).



Note: I-C3 batteries do get very hot during their rapid charge, not hot enough to really burn you or to damage the device you put them into, but certainly hot enough to startle you into dropping them if you are not prepared for it. It is also worth noting that the charger switches automatically to trickle-charging in case you want to keep a set of batteries "topped off".

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must have for digital camera and other high drain devices, April 26, 2006

By 

Geoff Strickler (Arlington, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: RAYOVAC PS5-B I-C3 2-Position 15-Minute Battery Charger With Batteries (Electronics)

I've had the 2 position (PS5) IC3 charger for a little over 2 years. I bought it because it's fast, light, and portable. Unlike all the other fast (under 60 min) chargers on the market, this one does not use a power brick. It has a fold out plug (US standard 110-120V), and will work elsewhere with a plug adapter since it supports 110-240V. Yes, it really does charge IC3 batteries in 15 minutes or less.

I have a Canon PS A70 (newer model on the way) with a very small carrying case, and I bought a second (slightly larger) case to put this charger (and a set of batteries) in. With two sets and a 15 minute (per pair, 30 minutes for my 4 battery set) recharge, I have never run out of power.

I haven't had a set of batteries die on me yet, so I can't complain. I don't have any IC3 AAAs, I don't have any high drain AAA devices.

It does have a couple disadvantages:

It only charges 1 or 2 batteries at a time. They have a 4 cell charger, but it does use a power brick so it's not as portable.

The IC3 batteries are a bit more expensive than other name brand NiMH batteries, but if you shop a bit, they're barely more.

It only fast charges IC3 batteries. It will charge other NiMH or NiCd batteries, but it trickle charges them (8-16 hours). If they added a 30 minute capability for non IC3 batteries, this thing would be perfect.

IC3's are only available in 2000MAh (AA) and 800MAh (?) (AAA) capacities. In my experience, that's plenty, especially since I always have my spare set charged and ready to go and I can't drain a set as fast as this thing charges. Unless I were away from AC power (or a DC-AC inverter) for an extended period, I will never run out of juice.

Some reviews I've read have referred to this as "noisy" or "loud". The fan does spin pretty fast so there is definite fan noise and whine, but I've never found it to be annoying and I can be pretty sensitive to sounds.

Despite those "limitations", I still think it's deserving of at least 4.5 stars. If those "limitations" aren't a problem for you (I'll bet they won't be), buy this unit and some IC3s and enjoy.

Cheap (at least the charger is), fast, light, portable, world-wide capable, and reliable is a tough combination to beat.

P.S. I've recommended these to several friends and they've loved them too.