Thread: Makita 18v Li-ion - what's a good non-OEM replacement

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

I've just sent an email to these guys, asking them how long their batteries should last. Price is good $75 each for two batteries, and 3.5Ah.

Just ordered a set of those aftermarket batteries last night. They should get here in a few days, and i will check them out. I will keep you posted on how they go.

GP

Years ago there was a method of recharging batteries by subjecting them to a reverse charge. I use to get my video camera batteries recharged by the reverse charge method, this was undertaken by a by a electronics Gu Ru chap. By this method I would get another 12 months from my old batteries. If it worked on old video batteries why not on power tool batteries???
It would be interesting to hear if anyone has knowledge on reverse charging batteries.
Cheers Mac

the makita LXT batteries have a circuit board that will not allow them to recharge on the makita charger if the cells are too low of voltage. Once the board trips, it cannot be reset, therfore rendering the battery useless.





The method you mention works for nicad and nMH batteries only.

after reading this thread, i have done a bit of trolling on the internet regarding the makita LXT battery, its a major design problem, and something others who are looking at getting a makita LXT system should be aware of.

I will me cycling and recharging my batteries more often now. The battery that died was used in the house on the handy vac, and was only charged every now and then, thus allowing the 1st cell to drain, thus stuffing the rest of the battery.

GP

Originally Posted by GCP310

The battery that died was used in the house on the handy vac, and was only charged every now and then, thus allowing the 1st cell to drain, thus stuffing the rest of the battery.
GP

Well there's the root of the problem right there! It should be in the shed, on the bench, and ready for use on all those little dust spots! I use mine constantly. Also excellent for sucking up writhing Euro Wasps (after they've been downed with spray). This is important because as soon as the cats hear the fly spray they think it's fly chasing time, and I don't think I want them playing with a Euro!

There used to be a crowd called Coda Batteries in Sylvania (Sydney) that offered a service for NiCads called "quidisides" or similar, and it was designed for getting more life out of a dead NiCad. Sounds like it may have been reverse charging.

batteries arrived today, first impressions are very good. They are slightly different shape at the front, but the back is the same. They charged up a little longer than the standard
makita batterys.

Will keep you posted once i have given them a work out.

FWIW, they battery that died didnt have the "star" on the top and bottom of it. apparently the batterys that have the "star" top and bottom are the MK2 version and are a revised design to avoid the battery issue.

GP

The OME batteries are going strong, as is the other 2 original makita batteries.

I am making sure they are cycled thru the charger at least once a week.

Yes, I bought a couple too. As I suspected, my third original chucked it in.

another original makita 1830 died today, and the same fate, being confined to house duties on the handy vac, so no daily cycling over like the other batteries.

down to 2 OME 3.5ah batts and one original 3.0ah battery. There are some 4.5ah batteries getting about on ebay now, i wonder how they go.

My makita 3.0AH batteries are still going after about 4 years. They both still work fine, and have not noticed much of a drop off????

I was using the batteries every day for 2 years and I am shocked the batteries are still going and the tools have taken a beating and nothing has gone wrong with them.

Originally Posted by GCP310

Just ordered a set of those aftermarket batteries last night. They should get here in a few days, and i will check them out. I will keep you posted on how they go.

GP

well thats one of the aftermarket batteries dead just after 13 months of use. And it was used and cared for with kid gloves, so looks like i am back to the original makita batteries now.

Originally Posted by GCP310

well thats one of the aftermarket batteries dead just after 13 months of use. And it was used and cared for with kid gloves, so looks like i am back to the original makita batteries now.

That is not what I wanted to hear (I have two as well).

I'd be contacting them to see what they are prepared to do about it - that's a very poor result.

Don't panic boys & girls.

Most mnfr's are marketing bigger batteries now anyway. In capacity, that is, not size or weight.

Makita, Hitachi, Bosch, Milwaukee and even dear old-fashioned Festool/Protool are all selling 4ah. batts. that are backwards compatible with their existing ranges.

For a jump up in capacity/quality, Metabo offer the choice of 4.0 or 5.2ah., with an unprecedented 3 years warranty on the batteries as well as the tool/charger/chuck etc.

With these sort of capacities now being offered, the reason for going aftermarket now largely becomes irrelevant, I'd suggest...

yeah, considering they are advertising the fact they are higher quality cells in them. i at least got 3-4 years out of the genuine ones.

i am a "heavy user" that is, they get used every day, and i mean every day. if not for work, they get used at home with the projects we have going on.

It was a cost thing too Ratty, but if they don't go the distance it becomes irrelevant. I didn't fancy paying $130 a pop for OEMs that are known to have a shortish life. Maybe the new-gen Makita OEMs have a better life expectncy.