Just bought Ryobi set, any suggestions for Batts?

[azsportpilot]

Hello all

I just picked this set up on CL for just $40

10 tools (if you count the light) 2 Ni-Cad batteries and the old school P101 charger

the catch.... the batteries are 10 years old and toast, they will not take any charge, i get the dreaded "yellow and green light with no red light"

home depot wants $69.95 for a 2 pack of the Ni-Cad's ....more $ for lithium plus i would need the more modern charger as my P101 is apparently not compatible with the newer Lithium batteries

anyone know of a source for cheaper Ni-Cad batts?, or a rebuild option?

 

[Ign]

I don't see why there would be a single consideration other than the 2-pack of li-ion 4.0's which is back for the holidays at $99 IIRC

Then if history repeats they'll drop to $75.06 and $50.03 in January thru March. But a gamble if your HD will have any left very far into the new year.

 

[azsportpilot]

I don't see why there would be a single consideration other than the 2-pack of li-ion 4.0's which is back for the holidays at $99 IIRC

Then if history repeats they'll drop to $75.06 and $50.03 in January thru March. But a gamble if your HD will have any left very far into the new year.

true, but then i would need a new charger that is compatible with lithium

my old P101 Ni-Cd charger will not work with lithium batts, or so ive been told

 

[Clerk84]

Don't even waste your money on the Ni-cd....spend the little extra and get the Lith Ion and a charger.

 

[djdaredevil]

Here you go batteries, charger and they even throw in a drill
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-ONE-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Compact-Drill-Driver-Kit-P1811/205651590

They have a couple different deals on batteries right now
http://www.homedepot.com/b/Tools-Ha...ool-Batteries-Chargers/Ryobi/N-5yc1vZc25yZ1aw

 

[Ign]

true, but then i would need a new charger that is compatible with lithium

my old P101 Ni-Cd charger will not work with lithium batts, or so ive been told

Batteries make or break cordless tools. Don't skimp here, you'll regret it for the life of the tools. If you're not willing to find a way to afford a new charger, save up or just stay w corded tools.

Poor batteries on good cordless tools is like building your dream house and not running indoor plumbing.

 

[redmondjp]

Don't even waste your money on the Ni-cd....spend the little extra and get the Lith Ion and a charger.

^This^

Don't forget, Black Friday is usually when Home Despot has a good deal on the Lithium batteries.

I now have five Lithiums (three full-height, 2 half-height). The half-height are fine for drills and flashlights, but you need the full-height for the high-current tools like the circular saw and vacuum.

And Home Depot this past year dropped the regular price (to last year's Black Friday prices) for a pair of the largest 18V batteries:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-18-Volt-ONE-High-Capacity-LITHIUM-Battery-2-Pack-P122/204321540

You will be extremely happy with your tool performance with these batteries. One of the best tool purchases that I have made.

 

[kctyphoon]

you can easily find people on amazon and ebay selling either generically packed battery cells,, or pre-assembled battery pack inserts you can swap out.. but honestly $69 for 2 isnt that bad.. Dewalt's are $90 just for one..

 

[txvwnut]

Don't know if they still offer it but Ryobi used to after a l-ion kit that a had a battery or two and the charger to replace all that ni-cad stuff. That's how made my switch for ****-cad to a decent battery.

 

[CNGsaves]

Check out all your options:

. . . . for the tools not needing Li Ion, then NiCad refurb at All-Pak might do.

For the tools NEEDING power of Li Ion, then invest in better batteries/charger.

 

[coleman10]

I would just spend the extra and go with lithium. They are far and away better than nicad and a better investment. Longer life, no loss of power while you're using the tool, and they'll hold a charge a good long time in between uses if you don't use the tools all the time. For me that's less stress and more enjoyment. You got ten tools for a whopping 40 bucks. Surely you could spend a little on decent batteries and a charger.

 

[maxpower_hd]

Don't know if they still offer it but Ryobi used to after a l-ion kit that a had a battery or two and the charger to replace all that ni-cad stuff. That's how made my switch for ****-cad to a decent battery.

This is what I did. They also have (or had) a kit with a charger and one Li battery. You could do that to save a little now and add a battery later when they go on sale. I bought the single battery and charger on sale. Then because I have tools both at home and at work I got a drill with a battery separately and bought an additional single battery. So now I have two at work and one at home with separate chargers.

If you think you cannot justify the price of the batteries try comparing the cost to new tools of another brand with batteries and you will soon justify the cost.

 

[CobraChevelle]

that 1 Li Ion battery will out last 2 ni-cad batteries!

 

[AA/FC]

Yep, there is a reason why 10 cordless tools only cost $40...... It's probably the same reason why the original owner was selling them is the first place.

 

[azsportpilot]

Don't know if they still offer it but Ryobi used to after a l-ion kit that a had a battery or two and the charger to replace all that ni-cad stuff. That's how made my switch for ****-cad to a decent battery.

yeah, Home Depot has an "upgrade" kit which includes charger & one battery for $59..... you can add a 2nd battery for another $29

but.... for $79 they have a drill, 2 batteries and a charger

get 2 batteries instead of one, save $10, free drill

i ordered it

 

[redmondjp]

yeah, Home Depot has an "upgrade" kit which includes charger & one battery for $59..... you can add a 2nd battery for another $29

but.... for $79 they have a drill, 2 batteries and a charger

get 2 batteries instead of one, save $10, free drill

i ordered it

As far as I am concerned, you can't get a better bang for your buck than these Ryobi deals - that's what first got me into Ryobi many years ago - the $29 Black Friday special on a drill, charger, two batteries, and flashlight. I have yet to wear out any of my Ryobi tools (homeowner use).

 

[Rarified27]

I have every Ryobi charger and pack they've made and I have to say the Lithium crowd is right. There's no comparison.

This deal is great now and will be even better after Christmas when they start lowering the price to get them out of stores. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-18-Volt-ONE-High-Capacity-LITHIUM-Battery-2-Pack-P122/204321540

As for chargers, none of the Ryobi chargers I've owned worked as well as this one which is $40 on it's own, but you should go for the $60 deal and get the extra compact battery for the $20 difference. It's no 4ah, but having another battery in a pinch is always good.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-ON...ntelliPort-Charger-Upgrade-Kit-P128/203466924

 

[drivesitfar]

ALL: the newer batteries not only hold a charge they last hours before needing a new charge and work great in the old blue and the new Ryobi 18v tools. i bought 4 of the big batteries last year when they were 2 for $99 and even though i heard they went down in price i'm very happy. the old orangish batteries were **** and all Ryobi 18v tools are awesome except the skill saw that i've burned up 2 of.

one of my clients has a new Ryobi charger that can charge i think 8 or 10 of the new batteries at a time. he leaves it plugged in 24/7. i only charge mine to full and try to unplug my chargers and not keep charging the batteries and all the newer ones are working great. all the orangish ones have eventually either died or don't hold a charge. i've heard you can rebuild them, but why waste the effort.

for those of you that didn't know Ryobi has a chain saw that is 18v it works as nice as my old Stihl saws for limbs and trees under 6 inches. keep the chain sharp and a fresh battery and you can cut wood for close to 2 hours without stopping.

 

[motofool33]

i had that same set before the lithiums were out for ryobi, and i gave it away due to battery life, at the time i was a cable tv contractor abusing the drill and i killed both batteries quickly. the tools were not that bad for the price but the batteries were terrible.

if i had the option of lithium back then i sure would have jumped on it instead i invested in the makita lxt series which was new on the block at the time.

 

[maxpower_hd]

Oh yeah. The ones I got are the ones with the plus too. They are better than the ones without.

 

[Chevy-SS]

Lots of good advice here. I have tons of Ryobi tools, chargers and batteries.

It's a complete no-brainer: BUY THE LI-ION batteries, the big ones (the two-pack, on sale), and a charger. Buy two smaller batteries later on.......

Enjoy your tools. That's a good score for $40. Gotta love CL.

 

[TNToy]

This might help, as an option...

Older Ni-Cd packs have one advantage over Lithium or NiMh batteries - they are extremely easy to rebuild, and the sub-C cells required are plentiful.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=311444

That rebuild was done using eBay purchased cells for under $1.50 each, shipping included.

 

[cheechi]

in the spring you will find 2 packs of whatever the big packs are for $50 or close to it. Seen it with 2.0 3.0 4.0 year in year out, whatever the shiny new one is or whatever one they're clearing to get the new ones space. One of the reasons the Ryobi are such a good deal.