Milwaukee M18 CP vs XC batteries

jdmshiz · Oct 31, 2012

Ive been on the market for an Impact Driver for a couple of months now.
I've decided to go with the M18 Fuel line up of impact drivers and cannot find any information on the difference between the two batteries they offer.

http://www.milwaukeetool.com/tools/cordless-tools/m18-cordless-system/m18-fuel-1-4-inch-hex-impact-driver-kit-cp-batteries/2653-22CT

http://www.milwaukeetool.com/tools/cordless-tools/m18-cordless-system/m18-fuel-1-4-inch-hex-impact-driver-kit-xc-batteries/2653-22

Are the differences between the batteries just runtime? Is power and torque output rated the same because they are both 18V?

If its just runtime i would like to get the compact series since I don't run a shop although automotive is a HUGE daily hobby for me.

Guns R Tools · Oct 31, 2012

XC means just that extra capacity. Think of it as larger gas tank. It takes longer to charge but runs longer. But for some unknown reason XC has better warranty as seen below.
http://www.milwaukeetool.com/tools/cordless-tools/batteries/batteries-18-volt

03protege · Oct 31, 2012

The current compact is 1.5 ah and is about to be replaced by a 2 ah battery

The current xc battery is 3 ah and is about to be replaced by a 4 ah battery.

If you compare the two pictures you can tell that the XC battery is taller.

jdmshiz · Oct 31, 2012

Yeah the XC battery looks huge compared to the compact. It must have better runtime forsure. So is it just a matter of runtime? Both being 18v, will they provide the same power output from the tool itself on a full charge?

03protege said:
The current compact is 1.5 ah and is about to be replaced by a 2 ah battery

The current xc battery is 3 ah and is about to be replaced by a 4 ah battery.

I have heard about Milwaukee constantly changing their batteries over the years which sometimes worries me. Has anyone had bad experience with the Milwaukee batteries? Still on boarder line decision on Milwaukee vs Makita

lotsoftools · Oct 31, 2012

More amp hours = more run time (plus extra weight).

PrimeIsFine · Oct 31, 2012

I love my 18V Milwaukee tools. I have both styles of packs. My only complaint about the XC packs is that one of mine is separating at the joint None of my other XCs are doing that, so it could just be luck of the draw. Or one my knucklehead buddies could have dropped it off a ladder and no one told me.

03protege · Oct 31, 2012

jdmshiz said:
Yeah the XC battery looks huge compared to the compact. It must have better runtime forsure. So is it just a matter of runtime? Both being 18v, will they provide the same power output from the tool itself on a full charge?

I have heard about Milwaukee constantly changing their batteries over the years which sometimes worries me. Has anyone had bad experience with the Milwaukee batteries? Still on boarder line decision on Milwaukee vs Makita

The batteries are backwards compatible these are just upgraded models, they will work in any m18 product.

Also the larger Ah batteries should give you more power to your drill. Watts = Amperage x Voltage.

For the impact driver I don't know how big a difference that would make but on a saw or the big 1/2" impact wrench I would go with the larger battery.

chewy7 · Oct 31, 2012

I also have their m18 line of tools for 2-3 years. They are performing flawlessly

Trey T · Oct 31, 2012

For me it's just longer run-time. On certain tool like recip saw or circular saw, XC batteries only fit.

When buying Milwaukee Li-Ion battery, only get the Korean cell version. Don't get the Canada cell bc those don't last long.

XC batteries has longer warranty bc I think they don't use the Canadian cell, just the Korean (Samsung).

jdmshiz · Oct 31, 2012

Okay it's all starting to become more clear to me. The XC not only has better run time but more power.

PrimeIsFine said:
I love my 18V Milwaukee tools. I have both styles of packs. My only complaint about the XC packs is that one of mine is separating at the joint None of my other XCs are doing that, so it could just be luck of the draw. Or one my knucklehead buddies could have dropped it off a ladder and no one told me.

Is there a huge difference in power between your compact and XC batteries? Is there ever a time you feel your compacts just don't have enough juice and you had to bust out the XC batteries? (What bolt size was it.. Was it a rusty bolt? Lag bolt? etc..)

Im looking to just break 14mm bolts on engines and possibly a 17mm every once in a while. Just want to make the right decision before I make my purchase. Don't want something excessively powerful just for 14-17mm or else i'd use my air tools. At the same time don't want something that is a bit weak for 14-17mm and make me regret my purchase. Basically i'm asking is the compact sufficient enough for 14-17mm nuts/bolts on automotive engines?

03protege · Oct 31, 2012

XC batteries last twice as long 1.5-2ah vs 3-4ah.

If I am going to working in an engine bay with it I would prefer the smaller batteries and just keep a spare charged while you are working.

Gone · Oct 31, 2012

Many here have said some tools (impacts) have more torque with xc batteries. However, amp-hours and amps are not the same thing as post 7 seems to imply. The larger batteries may be able to support a higher current draw (amps), but it isn't necessarily proportional to their reserve capacity (A-hrs).

03protege · Oct 31, 2012

Gone said:
Many here have said some tools (impacts) have more torque with xc batteries. However, amp-hours and amps are not the same thing as post 7 seems to imply. The larger batteries may be able to support a higher current draw (amps), but it isn't necessarily proportional to their reserve capacity (A-hrs).

Good point.

For Milwaukee it just so happens their advertised (wattage)/(rated voltage) = the amp hour rating, at least for the batteries I have seen.

So I guess YMMV

Gone · Oct 31, 2012

03protege said:
Good point.

For Milwaukee it just so happens their advertised (wattage)/(rated voltage) = the amp hour rating, at least for the batteries I have seen.

So I guess YMMV

Yeah. I don't have any Milwaukee tools so I didn't know how theirs were for sure. I figured you were aware of what I posted, but I didn't want anyone to be confused by it. What you said is good to know in the future.

mikebramel · Oct 31, 2012

PrimeIsFine said:
I love my 18V Milwaukee tools. I have both styles of packs. My only complaint about the XC packs is that one of mine is separating at the joint None of my other XCs are doing that, so it could just be luck of the draw. Or one my knucklehead buddies could have dropped it off a ladder and no one told me.

I have the same problem on both of mine. They are almost new. Not sure if it was shipping or what. Seems like they are just snap together design (not very good). Some electrical tape crossed and its good to go

jamesc · Oct 31, 2012

i have the xc batteries and the regular batteries and I did not notice a difference in power with my 1/4 impact. they do run much longer though. sometimes At work I want the smaller battery for dash work. I wouldn't expect it to rempve 17 mm bolts under hood, not saying it wont but on a regular occasion they are tighter then a 1/4 impact can handle. I have the non fuel version of that impact so maybe the fuel version has enough power to handle the bigger bolts.

GSteg · Oct 31, 2012

The only time you'll notice a difference in power is when you're using a power-hogging tool with a compact battery. The battery's voltage may sag low enough that the tool bogs down. If you had a 3.0AH battery and the tool is running at its full potential, then a 4.0AH would only increase run-time. So if you noticed an increase in power, then it only means the compact battery was a bottleneck.

cafyrman · Oct 31, 2012

For 17 mm stuff, I'd think that you'd want the 1/2" impact. Which will only take the XC batteries.

rlitman · Nov 1, 2012

jdmshiz said:
Okay it's all starting to become more clear to me. The XC not only has better run time but more power.

That depends on the tool. There are only two Fuel tools out as of yet.
The drill will only reach its full rated torque with the XC batteries.
The impact driver will see its full potential with either size.

I went with the XC to get the most out of my drill (and have been duly impressed). Anyway, lithium batteries aren't that heavy, and the XC has a better warranty.

firebox40dash5 · Nov 1, 2012

rlitman said:
That depends on the tool. There are only two Fuel tools out as of yet.
The drill will only reach its full rated torque with the XC batteries.
The impact driver will see its full potential with either size.

I went with the XC to get the most out of my drill (and have been duly impressed). Anyway, lithium batteries aren't that heavy, and the XC has a better warranty.

I've got the BL Makita impact, and while I think (feels like it, anyway) it makes full torque with the compact battery, it doesn't do it for long. After a few minutes, I can feel the torque start to drop off. I usually use the small packs for stuff like interior work, and bust out a big battery for underhood/under car work.

As long as the large design is basically 2 of the compact batteries in parallel (how else would you do it?), it will in fact have twice the current capacity of the compact one... lithium batteries can only discharge so fast. Whether or not the tool needs more current than the single bank of cells in the compact battery is what'll determine whether it performs to its full potential with one.

Trey T · Nov 1, 2012

Fundamentally, that's true but w/o knowing the design of the battery management system (circuit protection board), it's a toss up. You can have a battery management system that will limit amount of juice or discharge capacity.

Those Samsung cell, they can have a max short burst up to 10-15A of current.

firebox40dash5 said:
...

As long as the large design is basically 2 of the compact batteries in parallel (how else would you do it?), it will in fact have twice the current capacity of the compact one... lithium batteries can only discharge so fast. Whether or not the tool needs more current than the single bank of cells in the compact battery is what'll determine whether it performs to its full potential with one.

Milwaukee M18 CP vs XC batteries

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