Cordless tool batteries

[EddieM]

I had an idea, but have no idea if it's a goer. Does anyone know if cordless battery form factors are protected in anyway I.e. could you simply copy them ?

 

[Burnerman]

Just have a look at www.cellpacksolutions.co.uk Eddie......they have made up battery packs for me in the past and happily spot welded them together, which I couldn't do.
What are you up to, can we ask?
John

 

[EddieM]

Well that is indeed one way around this nugget of an issue..... that really shouldn't be an issue.

Ok, most of us have had loads of cordless tools over the years.. and of course we all know it's mainly the batts that cost the big money.... All that really changes is the capacity and form factor.... so why not 3D print adapters so you can use your eg. DeWalt 18v Li-Ion battery in your old Ni-Mh 18v Makita.... examples only.

 

[big-all]

you can get adapters most are aftermarket but dewalt actually do one example here
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-D...099549?hash=item4d43ceab5d:g:Ql8AAOSwWF5XLYM4
not available in the uk yet though
as do makita
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=makita+ba...www.tool-net.co.uk/data/tools/MakitaBCV03.jpg

 

[Deleted member 174758]

Actually the tools change as well. Quite a few of the cordless tools used by tradesmen today are more powerful and have more inbuilt technology than the tools of ten years ago. Similarly the improvements in battery technology mean that you need the latest tools to take advantage of them, e.g battery and tool overheating safeguards, etc. In real terms after 5 or 6 years many trades tools are grotty and worn out so need to be replaced, but as for £100 for an unwieldy adaptor which can't be used on a large range of tools (the DW converter won't work on the 2nd fix pinners, for example) - I can't see the point.

 

[EddieM]

Actually the tools change as well. Quite a few of the cordless tools used by tradesmen today are more powerful and have more inbuilt technology than the tools of ten years ago. Similarly the improvements in battery technology mean that you need the latest tools to take advantage of them, e.g battery and tool overheating safeguards, etc. In real terms after 5 or 6 years many trades tools are grotty and worn out so need to be replaced, but as for £100 for an unwieldy adaptor which can't be used on a large range of tools (the DW converter won't work on the 2nd fix pinners, for example) - I can't see the point.

Well correct me if I am wrong but all that tech you are talking about is either in the charger or in the tool. The batteries merely provide power. As for £100 for an adapter no I was thinking more along the lines of £10 would extend the life of albeit ageing kit for a while.

 

[EddieM]

I'm thinking of applying the same thinking for razor blades.... don't feel ill get too many arguments there!

 

[big-all]

the way i look at it if you have say 3 tools in your old kit that you use occasionally so cant justify a new version so a £50 adapter would make sense

 

[Deleted member 174758]

Depends on the range, but at least some of the technology is in the battery of a couple of manufacturers. DW have crippled their adaptors so that they won't work with the older NiMH generation 2nd fix nailers (amongst other tools ). Apparently these tools can and will draw so much power in heavy usage that they will potentially overheat the new XR range of Li-Ion batteries.

I personally can't see the point in hanging a new Li-Ion battery on, say, an old style DW or Makita combi drill when the newer generation tools are smaller, lighter, more powerful and have longer run times (due to the introduction of brushless motors) than the older models. I know I'm playing devil's advocate here, but that is speaking from a trade perspective - and it's the trades who spend the big bucks on cordless kit

 

[Deleted member 174758]

BTW if you intend to use any manufacturers battery form you might want to check first that they haven't copyrighted the design. I believe that Makita didn't do this with the LXT batteries but that DW have done so with their new XR format batteries

 

[EddieM]

Depends on the range, but at least some of the technology is in the battery of a couple of manufacturers. DW have crippled their adaptors so that they won't work with the older NiMH generation 2nd fix nailers (amongst other tools ). Apparently these tools can and will draw so much power in heavy usage that they will potentially overheat the new XR range of Li-Ion batteries.

I personally can't see the point in hanging a new Li-Ion battery on, say, an old style DW or Makita combi drill when the newer generation tools are smaller, lighter, more powerful and have longer run times (due to the introduction of brushless motors) than the older models. I know I'm playing devil's advocate here, but that is speaking from a trade perspective - and it's the trades who spend the big bucks on cordless kit

Yeah and I suspected that and completely understand... Makes total sense.. my take was from an enthusiastic (let's not assess talent) DIY'er I feel that is a significant bug bear for those who like quality tools but the industry overruns us before our tools are worn out.

Coming from a trade perspective I can completely understand your position.