Makita Star

[Alz0r]

All of my power tools are Makita made (LXT). I run all off two 3ah batteries.

After looking into upgrading the batteries to 5ah I've now discovered that the tools must have a star on the battery terminals in order to be compatible.

Turns out alot of my tools don't have the star (including an impact driver I bought less than a year ago!).

Anyone know why such a recent purchase would be incompatible?

Is there anyway of "adapting" the tools / batteries to force compatibility?

 

[Monkeh]

Anyone know why such a recent purchase would be incompatible?

Old stock.

Is there anyway of "adapting" the tools / batteries to force compatibility?

Not easily.

I would contact Makita and complain, breaking battery compatibility while advertising it is not good business. They may be willing to help you out.

 

[Deleted member 174758]

Funnily enough I run several non-star Makita tools on a mixture or 3Ah and 4Ah batteries....... without problems!!! Part of the reason for the Star circuitry is to prevent people drawing the battery down to zero volts or overheating it. On non Star tools you don't have that protection

I'll now wait for the Makita thought police to come and take me away

 

[Monkeh]

Part of the reason for the Star circuitry is to prevent people drawing the battery down to zero volts or overheating it. On non Star tools you don't have that protection

Something which should be entirely down to the battery pack, not the tool..

 

[Alz0r]

Funnily enough I run several non-star Makita tools on a mixture or 3Ah and 4Ah batteries....... without problems!!! Part of the reason for the Star circuitry is to prevent people drawing the battery down to zero volts or overheating it. On non Star tools you don't have that protection

I'll now wait for the Makita thought police to come and take me away

I can't get the new batteries to fit the non-star tools. How do you get yours to fit?

Also I spoke to Makita about my predicament and they told me to jog on.

 

[Monkeh]

I guess you'll just have to make do with the old batteries on those tools, then..