Thread: 3.0AH batteries in 1.5AH tool

Yes you can. Just means they will last twice as long before needing a recharge.

Originally Posted by NCArcher

Yes you can. Just means they will last twice as long before needing a recharge.

Yes, aware of the longer period between recharges and I assumed they would work ok but couldn't understand why the tools have quite different torque specifications.

As long as the voltage is the same it should work.

Different torque may be related to different gearing in the tools

As elanjacobs said, as long as the two batteries are of the same voltage you won't have a problem. The Ah value of a battery merely refers to the runtime.

In saying this, Makita (and only Makita) have put a little plastic bump on the top of their 1.3Ah Li-ion batteries so they are only compatible with their compact/light-duty tools. This is more marketing than anything, but when you think about it it does make sense - a high-drain cordless tool like a circular saw really needs a 3.0Ah on the end of it to be viable for trade use.

As for the different torque levels on your two drills, the tools just have different specifications - one being lighter duty. Unless of course we're talking about a drill and an impact driver, then it doesn't matter how torquey your drill is, even the smallest impact driver will blow it out of the water

I have a milwaukee M18 impact driver and a hammer drill. They came with 3ah batteries, but the guy also gave me a 1.5ah battery. they are all interchangable.

Originally Posted by inferno6688

I have a milwaukee M18 impact driver and a hammer drill. They came with 3ah batteries, but the guy also gave me a 1.5ah battery. they are all interchangable.

Good to hear that. I think my doubts arose when a retail supplier said that it couldn't be done, yet the handbook lists either battery for the same tool.
What is your model no.? Mine is C18PP2A-22C.

Mine is the C18PD-32C, i think its just the hammer drill version of your drill.

Originally Posted by inferno6688

Mine is the C18PD-32C, i think its just the hammer drill version of your drill.

Yes, seems to be the case. Mine is also a hammer drill, bought along with an impact driver. Exactly the same specs apart from the torque, which I guess is due to the battery.

Originally Posted by DoctorWu

Exactly the same specs apart from the torque, which I guess is due to the battery.

Just for some further info DoctorWu, the voltage is the only element in a battery that dictates possible power/torque output (battery chemistry also helps, but that's for a whole other story). The Ah value/capacity/fuel tank size, just like a car, does not.

By far the biggest factor in determining the power output of any tool is the design and quality of its internal components. In your case where you have an impact driver and drill, the very large difference in torque is solely due to the special 'hammer and anvil' mechanism found in all impact drivers.

Originally Posted by Tool Cobber

Just for some further info DoctorWu, the voltage is the only element in a battery that dictates possible power/torque output (battery chemistry also helps, but that's for a whole other story). The Ah value/capacity/fuel tank size, just like a car, does not.

By far the biggest factor in determining the power output of any tool is the design and quality of its internal components. In your case where you have an impact driver and drill, the very large difference in torque is solely due to the special 'hammer and anvil' mechanism found in all impact drivers.

Yes, that was my understanding. BUT, wearing my welder's hat, if I increase the AMPS I get stronger welding power
Here are the specs for my drill.

Voltage 18V
Torque 450 in-lbs
Chuck Type 1/2" Single Sleeve
RPM 0-550/0-1,700
BPM 0-29,000
No of Batteries Included (2) Compact REDLITHIUM™ Batteries
Battery LITHIUM-ION
Length 8-1/2"
Tool Weight 4.4 lbs

And the specs for the 3.0Ah version.
Voltage 18V
Torque 525 in-lbs
Chuck Type 1/2" Single Sleeve
RPM 0-550/0-1,700
BPM 0-29,000
No of Batteries Included (2) XC High Capacity REDLITHIUM ™ Batteries
Battery REDLITHIUM ™
Length 8-1/2"
Tool Weight 4.9 lbs

The only difference I see is the weight, which is due to the larger battery.

And this: 3.0Ah/54watts 1.5Ah/27watts

Dr, Amps and Ah are not the same thing. 3.0 A.h. means that the battery can theoretically deliver 3 Amps for 1 hour. A 1.5 A.h. battery can only deliver 1.5 Amps for 1 hour or 3 Amps for ½ hour. The actual number of amps drawn depends on the voltage and the circuitry of the tool. In use the two tools may draw exactly the same amps and thus have exactly the same Power (Watts) rating. If they both draw 1.5 Amps in use then the 1.5 Ah battery will last for 1 hour, the 3.0 Ah battery will last for 2 hours. I just read that again. I hope it's not too confusing.

Originally Posted by NCArcher

Dr, Amps and Ah are not the same thing. 3.0 A.h. means that the battery can theoretically deliver 3 Amps for 1 hour. A 1.5 A.h. battery can only deliver 1.5 Amps for 1 hour or 3 Amps for ½ hour. The actual number of amps drawn depends on the voltage and the circuitry of the tool. In use the two tools may draw exactly the same amps and thus have exactly the same Power (Watts) rating. If they both draw 1.5 Amps in use then the 1.5 Ah battery will last for 1 hour, the 3.0 Ah battery will last for 2 hours. I just read that again. I hope it's not too confusing.

No, that's clear enough. I did try to send a question to Milwaukee but their site has one of those set-forms for contact, which won't work if you happen to be in Australia.

yeah i have noticed that difference too. I figure it was related what the discahrge capcities of the batteries

With Milwaulkee, even some of the smaller light duty (12volt?) drills and drivers can be driven by both the smaller and larger amp/hr batteries. As said in previous posts, if the voltage is the same, if the pack fits, use it.