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  1. #1
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    Jun 2018
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    Default Cordless drill batteries

    Hi All,

    Recently I had a Bunnings worker tell me that some batteries for cordless drills from different manufacturers should fit other brands.
    I haven't seen any that do, has anyone seen any that do.

    Cheers
    Keith

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Lower Blue Mountains
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    132

    Default

    This is what I had to do to get my Panasonic cordless tools going again design and 3d print an adapter
    Cheers
    Peter


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2018
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    Nsw
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    Default

    I don’t know what ones he is referring to but I have never seen any that are compatible with other brands

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Helensburgh
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    7,696

    Default

    Not exactly a drill but these batteries can be exchanged

    CHRIS

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Melbourne
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    66

    Default

    The only one that I know of is Metabo with their "cordless alliance system".

    The metabo batteries are now standard for themselves, mafell and a few other German manufacturers of what seem to be specialty tools. Not a great amount but it's better than nothing!

    There are also a number of adaptors available from independent sellers on Ebay, I've seen ones that convert from the major power tool brands such as makita -> dewalt etc.

    Very unlikely that the large power tool manufacturers with different parent companies would choose to take on the same battery system.

  7. #6
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    Apr 2011
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    Default

    Do an internet search and you will come up with some.
    https://www.ebay.com/bhp/makita-battery-adapter
    No doubt some will be better than others.

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Canberra
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    5,124

    Default

    Ive been playing a lot recently with a battery called a 18650.

    They look like big AA cells.

    You can make up, or re-pack, a dead battery pack with these. It may take a little soldering, etc, but it is hardly difficult!

    18650's are very cheap, readily available and reliable. There is a movement that is making "power walls" with them, plus they also power Teslas.

    They are the future.

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by woodPixel View Post
    Ive been playing a lot recently with a battery called a 18650.

    They look like big AA cells.
    18650 is just a dimension, 18mm thick by 65mm long. Other common sizes are 18350 and 18500.

    Any forum on electronic cigarettes or flashlights will tell you all there is to know about these batteries, you are right that they are very common and cheap and with proper use can last for years. From memory a brand called AW IMR is considered the best (reliability/durability/longevity) but not necessarily the most powerful, there are other brands with different characteristics. All the drill batteries I've seen contain a pack of 18650 lithium batteries, I think Milwaukee uses Panasonic (or Sony? cant remember) but they all work basically the same, it's just a question of making the plastics fit.

    Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

  10. #9
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    Oct 2013
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    Melbourne
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    Default

    The "older" battery packs by the main power tool players use 18650 lithium cells, whilst I believe that the majority of the newer packs especially those labelled as high density or the like use the newer 21700 "standard".

    From what I have seen the new Tesla gigafactory and the 3 or 4 future planned ones are being partnered by samsung, who is another popular supplier of these cells. This helps drop the price of cells not just for the electric car market but for anyone else wanting to purchase such as the power tool market.

  11. #10
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    Sep 2016
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    Default

    The only thing that gives me a bit of pause on fitting different packs to other brand drills is that it's not impossible for lithium batteries to explode when pushed too hard. You kinda need to know what you're doing, which I certainly dont when it comes to batteries.

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
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    Canberra
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    Default Some good info

    This is a mighty fine article on 21700 and 18650 style batteries and insight into where things are headed: https://www.electricbike.com/new-21700-cells/

  13. #12
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    Nov 2007
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    Mt Crosby, Brisbane
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    Default

    This might be a stupid question but it won't be my first...

    I've got an old hitachi 12V drill. It's wonderful but as usual the batteries are all but shot. It's NiMh I think, or nicad.

    Why exactly can't I repack the batteries with lithium ?

    I've read it in many places but never an explanation.

    I was into electronics most of my life but these days I struggle to remember what day it is or how old I am, and have no chance remembering what happened yesterday, so I need some help
    I'm just a startled bunny in the headlights of life. L.J. Young.
    We live in a free country. We have freedom of choice. You can choose to agree with me, or you can choose to be wrong.
    Wait! No one told you your government was a sitcom?

  14. #13
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    Oct 2013
    Location
    Melbourne
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by damian View Post
    Why exactly can't I repack the batteries with lithium ?
    So from what I've gathered repacking the batteries and running them on just about any old drill is fine, it's when you go to charge the batteries that you'll run into problems. Lithium batteries are sensitive and need to be charged in a particular way, I'm not too sure on exactly how but I think its something to do with low current before /after certain specific voltages. Otherwise they will explode quite violently as depicted in numerous videos.

    So you can't just change the battery cells over then go charge it on your old nicad charger

  15. #14
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    Apr 2014
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    Lithium batteries produce metallic lithium if they are overcharged or over discharged. This is why they have incorporated electronic "smarts" to prevent this happening. I suspect that one of the reasons some asian cells are so cheap is that the "smarts" are not included or are in the battery housing. The metallic lithium is quite flammable in air and will readily burst into flames.

    This can result in a pressure buildup in the cells and subsequently a big bang.

    Most cells have a pressure relief opening which results in the cell "venting" flames, almost harmless but not if the cell is inside a plastic housing.

  16. #15
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    I know its not what your asking but

    https://www.instructables.com/id/Con...Lithium-Power/
    I would love to grow my own food, but I can not find bacon seeds

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