Sanyo NiCads: are they still made in Japan?
#1
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (69)
Sanyo NiCads: are they still made in Japan?
I recently received a battery order from one of the better-known hobby battery suppliers. It contained three packs; two 9.6 volt Tx packs and one 4.8 volt Rx pack, all 1100 MaH capacity NiCads. I was disappointed and concerned to see through the shrink wrap "Made in China" stamped on the cells. They advertise all-Sanyo top quality cells.
I called the supplier to inform them I would be returning the cells, as I expected and want batteries manufactured in Japan. The representative on the phone told me if they sent me cells made in China, that's the ONLY place those cells are made. I thanked him for the info and committed to doing some research, starting here.
Here's what is stamped on the cells:
Tx packs:
1) KR-1100AAU OKS Made in China
2) KR-1100AAU OES Made in China
Rx pack:
KR-1100AAU PFS Made in China
So, are these Sanyo cells and are they only made in China? Does Sanyo still produce cells in Japan? I would hope that Sanyo would maintain it's quality control wherever they choose to manufacture their cells and I realize that many LiPos are manufactured in China. However, until now, all batteries I've used for my R/C applications have been Sanyo and stamped "Made in Japan".
Thanks,
Tom
I called the supplier to inform them I would be returning the cells, as I expected and want batteries manufactured in Japan. The representative on the phone told me if they sent me cells made in China, that's the ONLY place those cells are made. I thanked him for the info and committed to doing some research, starting here.
Here's what is stamped on the cells:
Tx packs:
1) KR-1100AAU OKS Made in China
2) KR-1100AAU OES Made in China
Rx pack:
KR-1100AAU PFS Made in China
So, are these Sanyo cells and are they only made in China? Does Sanyo still produce cells in Japan? I would hope that Sanyo would maintain it's quality control wherever they choose to manufacture their cells and I realize that many LiPos are manufactured in China. However, until now, all batteries I've used for my R/C applications have been Sanyo and stamped "Made in Japan".
Thanks,
Tom
#2
RE: Sanyo NiCads: are they still made in Japan?
Cadmium is considered a bad bad thing in Japan and the EU. Why don't you modernize ? NiCD's are either ancient dead stock or made somewhere with no environmental laws.
#3
Senior Member
RE: Sanyo NiCads: are they still made in Japan?
I suspect the move to China is a cost cutting measure for Sanyo. I suspect there is no enviromental empact from the manufacturing. The disposal of Nicads is the problem and with proper recycling that is not an issue either. I agree the end of the NiCad is coming for consumer use, so a switch to the A123 LiFe battery system would not be a bad idea. The quality control thing is something of a concern so we will see.
#4
My Feedback: (19)
RE: Sanyo NiCads: are they still made in Japan?
While today I use mostly generic LiFe or A123 batteries, when I was still buying genuine Sanyo NiCd and NiMh batteries, they started to show "Made in China" labels quite a few years ago. I did not note a lower quality with these cells and some of them still live in my older planes.