689
Backers
$24,711
pledged of $17,300 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding period
Nov 4, 2011 -
Dec 14, 2011
- First created · 10 backed
- Has not connected Facebook
- Website: earthCellbatteries.com
Pledge $1 or more
54 backers
Not ready to receive any batteries? Pledging a dollar will serve as your vote of confidence that what we're trying to do is a good thing. In return you get a huge thank you on our website!
Estimated delivery: Dec 2011Pledge $6 or more
13 backers
1 AA and 1 AAA earthCell battery from the first earthCell battery run (run "alpha"). Help us out and own a little piece of battery history!
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012Pledge $13 or more
134 backers
4 AA and 4 AAA earthCell batteries and the prepaid earthCell mailer for recycling earthCell batteries. Includes S&H.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2012Pledge $14 or more
21 backers
10 AAA earthCell batteries and the prepaid earthCell mailer for recycling earthCell batteries. Includes S&H.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2012Pledge $17 or more
106 backers
10 AA earthCell batteries and the prepaid earthCell mailer for recycling earthCell batteries. Includes S&H.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2012Pledge $29 or more
126 backers
10 AA and 10 AAA earthCell batteries and the prepaid earthCell mailer for recycling earthCell batteries. This level is perfect for the household. Includes S&H.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2012Pledge $45 or more
211 backers
10 AA and 10 AAA earthCell batteries and the prepaid earthCell mailer for recycling earthCell batteries. Also, two beautiful earthCell bamboo trays for organizing your fresh batteries, one for AAs and one for AAAs. Includes S&H.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2012
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Show older commentsCreator Kelly Michels on July 24, 2012
Hi Jason
Was hoping I would hear from you with regards to my bad batch of batteries.
Kelly
Creator Kelly Michels on April 24, 2012
Frustrated!
Recieved my batteries they looked great. Love the packaging, the bamboo storage boxes are beautiful.
I was excited to use them, that day finally came. I've tried 4 out of the double AA's they didn't work! I've tried them out in several items, nothing. They even got stuck in two different items I was trying to charge.
Haven't tried the AAA's. Very disappointed. Did I get a bad bunch? Are they rechargeable?
Creator Steve Goodman on April 7, 2012
Received my batteries! I agree with the other postings: the packaging is excellent. Looking forward to using them--they are going to get a work out!
Creator Julie Hasegawa on March 16, 2012
I just got them today! Love the packaging :) I'm going to buy some more to give out as gifts!
Creator Jason Rugolo on March 15, 2012
Hi Julie, there's a chance they're still on their way given your location. We did ship them out. If you don't get them within 3 or so business days, we'll have to re-send them.
Most people should have received their batteries by now, with only the people far from California potentially still waiting. Please let us know so we can make sure you get your rewards!!
Creator Julie Hasegawa on March 15, 2012
I haven't received my batteries yet :(
Creator Ryan on March 7, 2012
Batteries arrived today. The packaging is great. Thanks
Creator Ryan on March 6, 2012
I have not received my batteries yet
Creator Lester Shen on March 5, 2012
Got mine today. Can't wait to put them to use. Thanks.
Creator Anthony Gunawan on March 4, 2012
Just got mine! They look awesome
Creator Bronwyn on March 2, 2012
Got my batteries this week and every remote in the house is beaming! Looking forward to "recycling" them and seeing how that works. Thanks!
Creator Mark on March 2, 2012
Got the AAA box and am waiting for the AA.
love the idea of a subscription option. could even tie into paypal to minimize VISA charges.
great product-thanks
Creator Richard Hyde on February 28, 2012
Nevermind. It was the box of AAA batteries which, of course, take up less space than the AA.
Doh!
Creator Richard Hyde on February 28, 2012
Hi. Received my first two boxes today, thanks! However, something to note, one box had an end that appeared to have been torn open, then subsequently folded back into place. One pair of the batteries were missing. Just a data point as you ramp up shipping. The packaging certainly looked sufficient to me. . .
Creator samsquanch films on February 27, 2012
Just received my batteries!
Love the packaging, simple and effective with lots of questions answered right on the box.
Thanks everyone.
Creator AJ ONeal on January 24, 2012
I too, would like a subscription option:
My first transaction I would get two cartons of batteries. Each time I use one carton, I ship it back. Each time earthCell receives my carton, I get charged on my credit card, and they send back a fresh carton.
This way I'm never out of batteries and payment is painless.
Creator Gianmarc Coppola on January 10, 2012
Thanks Jason! I figured that it was too soon to have them. I just misunderstood maldar's post.
Feb. delivery is great!
Thanks again for the info.
Cheers,
Creator Jason Rugolo on January 9, 2012
Hi Gianmarc, no batteries have shipped yet. We're on track to hit our February estimated delivery! Maldar, if you'd like to recharge your own batteries, I'd recommend this charger: http://www.amazon.com/Maha-Powerex-MH-C9000-WizardOne-Charger-Analyzer/dp/B000NLUSLM. You'll make your money back over three to five years if you're interested in managing your own batteries (and you make sure you don't lose it!).
Creator Gianmarc Coppola on January 9, 2012
You used your batteries already? I didn't receive mine yet...
Creator maldar on January 9, 2012
I'm looking to recharge my batteries, does anyone know of good chargers and have links to them so I can check them out.
Creator Colin Reynolds on December 18, 2011
Congrats on the funding win :)
Creator S. Thomson on December 14, 2011
Yay, congrats on the wrap up! Looking so forward to my batteries!
Creator Jason Rugolo on December 13, 2011
Hi James, we designed them and are having them produced by a woodshop in Oakland. Trust me, it's a lot of work! I have a lot of woodworking experience, so it made sense. I could recommend some shops that do a good job if you need to develop something. Message me for more details.
Creator James Griggs on December 13, 2011
Sorry if this is off topic: Where did you get your bamboo cases? They look really great and I have been searching for a good wood box fabricator.
Creator Bill Nadvornik on December 6, 2011
Sanyo created a spacer for C and D cells that the smaller AA cells fit inside.
http://us.sanyo.com/Battery-Products/AA-2-Pack-with-D-Spacer
Pretty clever.
Creator Jason Rugolo on December 2, 2011
We'd love to offer C and D batteries someday, but there are a couple of things stopping us. They're very expensive to ship through the mail because they're so heavy, and there are not that many used. As LED flashlights are taking over and other electronic devices are becoming more efficient, AA batteries are taking over where C or D sized batteries used to be necessary.
Creator Chris @ BiteMyApple on December 2, 2011
Hi Jason, will C and D batteries every be apart of your program in the future?
Creator Jason Rugolo on November 30, 2011
Matt, AetherCards, great ideas! We certainly have those things in mind. Thanks for the suggestions.
Creator AetherCards on November 30, 2011
Why not add an option for people to have charged batteries shipped back to them? You could add a subscription of sorts, with the highest pledge being a lifetime of battery replacements.
Creator Matt Yale on November 29, 2011
You should also contact Whole Foods, and see if they have any interest in stocking your product with mailers. Your goals and theirs are similar in regards to the environment, and they would likely make a deal with you as you would both potentially benefit.
Creator Josep Ma Serra on November 25, 2011
This looks great! just backed! Will love to have in Spain
Creator Emily Winston on November 24, 2011
How about an option of just AAs and trays? I hardly ever need AAAs.
Creator Jamie Ambrosius on November 24, 2011
great idea!! i'm from downunder and backed this just because its a great idea!! can't wait for it to go global!!
Creator Timothy Gilfilen on November 23, 2011
i got it over the edge!!
Creator Kyle Wilke on November 23, 2011
sooooo clooooose!
Creator Shehan on November 22, 2011
Couldn't agree with this concept more. I go through so many normal AA batteries for my Canon Speedlite; now I will go through less AND be poluting the earth less as well. Great concept, great research!
Creator Jason Kuhn on November 15, 2011
Good to see that you added information on the main page in the FAQ that they can be recharged at home. No offense, but I previously thought it was a little shady marketing to not include that information, and is why I brought the issue to light. But glad to see that you mentioned that now on the main page... although I guess your main market is still selling to people who don't care to recharge their own cells. I suppose if one day the earthCell really made it big, you could negotiate a drop off of the cells at local grocery stores across the US. Shipping them back to you in bulk would undoubtedly save money, and would be more efficient (less cO2 emissions).
Creator Kyle Wilke on November 14, 2011
Can earthCell batteries be recharged at home?
Yes. If you buy the right LSD NiMH charger, earthCell batteries can be charged at home. We're of the opinion that most people don't want to manage their own battery stock. We've designed earthCell to give this majority of the market an environmentally friendly option.
To back Jason up, I found this information from the FAQ at the bottom of the page. I bought these batteries because I love what the company has planned. My parents and grandparents are perfect examples of people who will mail them back and then order more, def think some sort of exchange(build up rewards credits for free battery credits) think starbucks rewards would be great, even more value. I am buying them because I happen to be in the market for some rechargeable batteries. I also happen to own a battery charger i got a few years ago so I will be recharging them at home. Once they are shot, I will mail them back in the prepaid box. Just like how my parents are willing to mail back the ink cartridges they get in the box when they buy ink for the printer, why wouldn't they do this, its so simple. This appeals to everyone, the geek, the normal consumer who doesn't like a build up of batteries in their home. Great job guys, and those bamboo cases just look so sexy! These batteries will make their home in my bike lights, and my magic mouse and a whole slew of other things. Great job.
Creator Jason Rugolo on November 14, 2011
@S. Thomson, Sure, our twitter name is earthCell, but we're directing people over to the kickstarter page for the launch. Thanks for the support and the help in getting the word out there!
Creator S. Thomson on November 14, 2011
Wow. Just... wow. Amazing guys!!!
So proud to back this project. Wish I could afford to give more.
Do you all have a Twitter I can plug?
Creator Richard Hyde on November 13, 2011
I think Jason Rugulo's idea has merit. I'm still working through a bulk buy of alkilines that I purchased because rechargables were too much hassle to deal with. I think the proposal needs a system where sending the box of depleted cells back triggers the automatic shipment of replacements back to the consumer. Once the system is set up you want as few obsticals to participation as possible.
Creator Jason Rugolo on November 13, 2011
Hi Jason,
You are jumping to conclusions too quickly. I'd be happy to discuss with you in more detail privately. There is a link above next to my name that says "send message". Please use that to contact me in the future. Regarding at-home recharging, there are several hundred million battery consumers in the United States. Rather than making several hundred million battery chargers that will be used only once every several months, we can handle all of the battery consumption in one plant with significantly reduced infrastructure running at a near 100% capacity factor. This represents a much better use of resources, but requires the transportation of the batteries, which comes at a relatively insignificant carbon dioxide emission cost (an incalculably small fraction of the rest of our CO2 emissions). As far as trying to convince people to buy a charger and charge batteries at home, capital inefficiencies aside, many companies have been trying to do this for many years. Some people are okay doing this, just like some people are okay with growing their own food in their backyard, but most people prefer not to. About 75% of people have used rechargeable batteries before, and about 75% of people no longer use them. This points to a lack of desire to use them rather than a lack of information that they exist.
Sincerely,
Jason Rugolo
Creator Jason Kuhn on November 13, 2011
Hi Jason,
In this day and age, information, and the lack thereof, can be easily used to make a profit.
Information about how simple and easy recharging these cells with a $10 off the shelf charger, is information behind withheld on you're KS page. The only reason I can see this information is being withheld is for the intention of making a profit from the average ignorant consumer.
You mention these cells are being targeted at the average person that throws cells away into the land fill. While keeping cells out of the landfill is great, there is no logical reason that I can find as to why the current consumers of regular throw-away Alkaline cells, can't be "converted" to use a simple set of LSD Ni-mh cells and a charger. Virtually zero learning curve, minimal cost of upfront investment etc.
Regards,
Jason
Creator Jason Rugolo on November 13, 2011
Hi Jason,
re ISSUE #1. I understand your concern, but you are incorrect in your conclusion. We are willing to go through all of the trouble you mentioned in an effort to keep battery waste, which represents an acute form of chemical pollution, out of landfills. I'd be happy to discuss further the lifecycle carbon dioxide emissions due to transportation and how that relates to what people are doing now. You'll see in a full analysis that our system is vastly superior. Please message me to discuss more.
re ISSUE #2. Rechargeable batteries have been available for 30 years, and the vast majority of the market has not adopted them. People still throw away 3 billion alkaline batteries per year. I think this is because batteries are a relatively insignificant part of peoples' lives, and they don't want to keep track them. There are plenty of manufacturers that offer rechargeable batteries with chargers. Our intention is different. We want to offer a very convenient way for consumers to recycle batteries. Please note that we could sell alkaline batteries with a return mailer for recycling. The reason we don't is because we are willing to go through the extra trouble and expense of using a battery technology that can be used many times, thereby limiting the amount of materials that need to be mined, reformed, and eventually recycled. This is consistent with our intention as a company, which is to reduce the environmental impact of battery use.
I'd be happy to discuss in more detail. Please message me if you are interested.
Sincerely,
Jason Rugolo
Creator Jason Kuhn on November 13, 2011
Hi Jason,
As a battery geek, and electronics enthusiast, I just wanted to point out a few concerns I have with this project.
ISSUE #1: (The Green Factor). The cell is being pitched as a "green" product, however, requiring customers to send the cells back to your facility after 1 discharge cycle not "green." If this process of shipping, receiving, unpackaging, testing, recharging, repackaging, shipping, and receiving is repeated many times, then this is a far from green process.
ISSUE#2: (Not recharging at home). The product is a Ni-Mh LSD cell, and the only thing I see that is "unique" about your offering is the business model. The LSD Ni-Mh chemistry, as Craig mentioned was invented by Sanyo and introduced to the market about 6 years ago. These cells from the beginning have been pitched as a product where the consumer buys a set of cells, then the consumer charges these cells with a basic Ni-mh charger in their home or office 100's of times. Why is there no mention that someone can just buy these cells and recharge them in the convenience of their home, rather then having to mail them likely 100's or 1000's of miles away at the expense of a couple of dollars in postage? All that's required to "recharge" them is a $10 consumer Ni-mh charger, about 12 hours, and less then a penny in electricity. After all, it really isn't any more difficult to recharge a AA battery than it is to plug your cell phone or laptop into the wall to charge.
Finally, if you want to truly offer a green battery technology, under a new brand, why not just offer a charger to go along with the cells, so people can recharge them at home hundreds of times?
Regards,
Jason
Creator Jason Rugolo on November 13, 2011
Hi Richard,
Please see the charts at the bottom of our main page for capacity information. If you'd like further information, please message me.
Thanks,
Jason Rugolo
Creator Richard Hyde on November 11, 2011
Hi Jason,
Can you please compare/contrast earthCell with Eneloop?
Am I correct in calculating that your cells are roughly 1900 mAh?
Regards,
Rick
Creator Jason Rugolo on November 11, 2011
Hi Craig,
I wish you would have given me the courtesy of answering all of your questions by contacting me, as I'm a very honest person and there are certainly good answers for all of them.
1. In the battery world, anything about 10 years old or newer I'd consider "new". LSD NiMH is certainly a new technology.
2. kC is the unit kilocoulombs. The coulomb is the international standard unit of charge. If you'd like to convert from kC to Ah, divide by 3.6.
3. We are comparing to alkaline cells because we are competing with alkaline cells.
4. Our specialized infrastructure is complicated, and certainly different than anything consumers have. I'd be happy to discuss it further if you're interested.
5. A detailed lifecycle analysis is certainly important. I can say with certainty, however, that the minute carbon dioxide emissions associated with moving a battery around are totally insignificant in comparison to acute caustic chemical pollution resulting from their improper disposal.
You may contact me by message if you have any further questions or would like to discuss any specific aspect of our product in more detail.
Sincerely,
Jason Rugolo
Creator Craig Shih on November 11, 2011
Jason,
I've been following this project with much skepticism, and as a member of the Kickstarter community and an electronic hobbyist, I must add these comments:
"EarthCell batteries are a new type of battery technology called low self-discharge nickel metal hydride (LSD NiMH)."
A new battery technology called LSD NiMH? One that SANYO Component Europe GmbH launched with its "eneloop" product in November 2005? I understand that marketing departments tend to exaggerate things but this is getting ridiculous.
Do you also realize that Duracell, GP, Rayovac, Sony, hell - even Amazon, sell LSD NiMH batteries?
"earthCell batteries significantly outperform big-brand alkaline batteries. They are much higher power, and store more energy. This means they'll last longer in your devices, and you'll have to buy fewer batteries in the long run."
What is this "kC" rating you're using on your nice looking graphs? Why are you not using the industry standard of mAH? Also, why aren't you comparing with your competition? Alkaline cells are for lower discharge applications; compare your cells to other NiMH!
"When we receive the batteries, we can revitalize them with our specialized infrastructure hundreds of times. If a battery doesn't meet our specification, we then dismantle it and reuse the valuable materials inside to make new batteries."
Specialized infrastructure? You mean a -dV termination Ni-MH battery charger like what all consumers use?
And how much energy are you going to use, compared to a normal consumer using his/her Ni-MH charger? Hundreds of times? You mean you'll consume hundreds of times more power?
"earthCell batteries are an amazing value. They offer you more battery for your money. Given that they are also completely recycled, we think choosing earthCell batteries is a no-brainer."
So let me get this straight. You order 1000's of cells from an OEM supplier in China who puts your labels on the Ni-Mh LSD battery.
You receive them and package them and send them to your customers. They put a rechargeable cell through 1 discharge cycle then mail them back to you. You then recharge them and sell / ship them on to the next customer?
I'm assuming you'll get your cells from China as I doubt eneloop will rebrand their cells for you (like they did duracell before they came out with their china made LSD Ni-MH).
This hardly sounds green at all. At least eneloop uses solar power to charge their cells.
What about the transportation? how much gas do you think transporting these cells will take?
These are thoughts from a concerned consumer.
Take them as you will.
Craig
Creator Sean Wong on November 11, 2011
Does anyone know the mAh rating of these batteries? I cant seem to find that anywhere.