Cordless Tool Batteries

[UncleDave]

A avoid cordless tool battery issues by only using corded tools.

Thats a fine solution for when you can take the work to the tool, but most of time it's far easier to take the tool to the work.

What do you do when framing up a new site thats not powered ? Even if you can drive all the tools at once carrying a generator, junction boxes, and multiple hundreds of feet of cord is bigger hassle than just using battery tools.

You get half a dozen guys all using mag 77's now you have to take turns waiting on the generator.

 

[BrendanC]

i have lost count on how much i have spent with milwaukee. my tools used to make my living and still partly do (im a friday only employee because i only work half days at my normal job). massive fan of the 12v line but still have more M18 than anything.

only yellow tool i have is a dewalt pex-a expansion tool. got it for $100 on close out at lowes with 2 batteries/charger and 1/2”-1” dies.

 

[MaximumMini]

I'm surprised these tools aren't brushless?

Many of them are. especially the drills.

 

[Mechanician]

Well,
I build my own batteries. I have bins full of various BMSs on hand for most configurations. it's what I do.
Once I buy a battery pack, I just rebuild that pack when the capacity drops below my preferences.
If I want to make a 5Ah battery pack into an 8Ah pack...easy peasy.
I even add my own temperature sensors to my packs or customize them how I see fit.
If you can't do that....do what I did...learn how to. knowledge is power.

It really goes a long way in reducing BPTA.......battery powered tool anxiety

I had a $80.00 battery pack go dead on me last year that was only a few months old BECAUSE I neglected to charge it for over a month.
Sneaky way to sell more batteries
The pack voltage was low, but not below the cell damage threshold.
What happened is the BMS went into safety mode to prevent a fire. I opened that sucker up, reset the BMS (or did I replace it? <scratches chin>, anyway got it fully functional and it's serving me well to this day.

Can you recommend a source for cells?

 

[John105]

DeWalt!

I have the DeWalt 20V tool family and I've gotten at least 4 batteries on eBay which I assume are counterfeit since they were two 5ah for $80 (absolutely nothing incl. packaging can show counterfeit but with all the PF stuff it's drilled into my head). Thing is, they are all going strong since 2017. Then, I got 4 from amazon when they were 2 for $104, which I assume are legit. Lastly 2 tools came with batteries, the rest without, again legit. I'd say choose one family of tools and stick with that one.

 

[MaximumMini]

Can you recommend a source for cells?

I use IMR batteries, batteryjunction among others but if you're looking for low price good luck. Being in the electronics biz I get a good supply of items with perfectly good 18650's etc from devices that are submitted for repair but not worth it.
Good Batteries are not cheap.

 

[Mechanician]

I use IMR batteries, batteryjunction among others but if you're looking for low price good luck. Being in the electronics biz I get a good supply of items with perfectly good 18650's etc from devices that are submitted for repair but not worth it.
Good Batteries are not cheap.

Thanks - yes the price is obvious, it's the quality that's always a wonder/worry.

 

[wavinwayne]

I'd say choose one family of tools and stick with that one.

Good advice IMO, and I would add that if you find a smoking deal on any tool (tool only), go ahead and pick it up. Adapters are available to run almost any battery on any color tool (assuming voltage is equivalent).

 

[zzyzzx]

Thats a fine solution for when you can take the work to the tool, but most of time it's far easier to take the tool to the work.

What do you do when framing up a new site thats not powered ? Even if you can drive all the tools at once carrying a generator, junction boxes, and multiple hundreds of feet of cord is bigger hassle than just using battery tools.

You get half a dozen guys all using mag 77's now you have to take turns waiting on the generator.

Most of use are just using tools around the house, not trying to build one.

 

[UncleDave]

Many of them are. especially the drills.

Makes sense, you mentioned brushes which is why I asked.

 

[MaximumMini]

Thanks - yes the price is obvious, it's the quality that's always a wonder/worry.

There are so many counterfeit low quality batteries out there masquerading as high quality Samsung etc.
Even if they come close to the capacity they still fall short on the current delivery capacity.

 

[UncleDave]

There are so many counterfeit low quality batteries out there masquerading as high quality Samsung etc.
Even if they come close to the capacity they still fall short on the current delivery capacity.

Even if they match the batteries 1-1 almost all lack the protection circuitry built in for either charge, discharge or both.

Until such time as a cheaper 3rd party battery with demonstrated capacity, performance, and circuitry arrives, I'll stick with the genuine items and simply pay the freight.

 

[UncleDave]

i have lost count on how much i have spent with milwaukee. my tools used to make my living and still partly do (im a friday only employee because i only work half days at my normal job). massive fan of the 12v line but still have more M18 than anything.

only yellow tool i have is a dewalt pex-a expansion tool. got it for $100 on close out at lowes with 2 batteries/charger and 1/2”-1” dies.

The M12 is fantastic for ladder and overhead work. It's the best 12Volt lineup in the business.

 

[BrendanC]

The M12 is fantastic for ladder and overhead work. It's the best 12Volt lineup in the business.

i use my m12 lineup way more than my m18 stuff.

 

[UncleDave]

i use my m12 lineup way more than my m18 stuff.

The analogy would be between my 1/4, 3/8, and 3/4 sets, the one I grab 80% of the time is my 1/4 set.

 

[Pablo]

The M12 is fantastic for ladder and overhead work. It's the best 12Volt lineup in the business.

Not a Milwaukee guy - I agree. Just buy the better M12 stuff. There are levels within Mil M12, the low cost M12 starter stuff in kits mostly is OK for starting...........but look at hold both side by side........

 

[BrendanC]

Not a Milwaukee guy - I agree. Just buy the better M12 stuff. There are levels within Mil M12, the low cost M12 starter stuff in kits mostly is OK for starting...........but look at hold both side by side........

yes all of my tools are fuel line. i don’t waste my time with the regular brushless or brushed tools. they’re basically ryobi’s dressed in red.

 

[Nessism1]

Many of the junk china batteries overrate the capacity. Original Makita 12V was 2.6 Ah. Amazon china jobbies range from 3.0-3.5, and ebay has 4.8. Ha ha. I bought some 3.5's and they weighed 1/2 as much as an original, and drained super fast. Where's the beef?

 

[Cujet]

At least for the moment, Dewalt has a wide variety of 20V batteries to choose from. Both is size and shape, cell type and capacity. This may be reason enough to choose Dewalt.

The 4AH DCB 240 uses 5ea 2170 cells for a nice flat profile.
The 4AH DCB 204 uses 10ea 18650 cells for a block shape.
The 5AH DCBP 520 uses pouch cells for a flat shape and high current output.

Since I've had nothing but swelling from pouch cells, I avoid them. The 2170's and 18650's seem to be really good.

2170's. Cheapest, nice wide profile so the drill stands on the battery really well. Good for about 40A output. Probably the best deal as they can be found for $43.

18650 cells, 10ea. More expensive to produce, more cells to fail, but seems to hold up well. Blocky design. Good for about 40A output. When I use these with the grinder, they heat up and discharge fast. But with other lower current drain uses, they are great.

Pouch cells, 50A+ output, great for grinders. Twice the price of the 4AH with 2170's.

 

[tbm5690]

yes all of my tools are fuel line. i don’t waste my time with the regular brushless or brushed tools. they’re basically ryobi’s dressed in red.

I used an M12 brushed ratchet, an M18 brushless impact driver, and an M18 Fuel impact wrench today all on the same project (pads and rotors). For my purposes I don't need everything to be Fuel.