Cheap battery alternative for Bosch 12v tools. (Maybe Milwaukee too)

[GCncsuHD]

Stumbled upon a clearance box at my local Lowes store, they were clearing out batteries and chargers for their display tools. All $5 each.

Dug through the box, the only thing that caught my eye was a 12v Skil Lithium battery. I don't own a Skil 12v tool, but it looked very similar to the Bosch batteries I have so I took it over to a Bosch tool on display and it slid right in, but didn't go in all the way due to the contour of the plastic around the base. Looked like a simple trim would fix it up.

Tape showing where I needed to trim the Skil battery.
IMAG0297 by wrfalcon75, on Flickr

Backside needed a slight trim as well, I just free handed it.
IMAG0298 by wrfalcon75, on Flickr

In the tool. Not a perfect fit, a few gaps here and there, but it latched in securely, and I used the tools for several hours yesterday and it worked great.

IMAG0299 by wrfalcon75, on Flickr


For reference:
The Bosch battery on the left

The Skil Battery:

And a comparison of the Bosch battery vs a Milwaukee Battery

Looks like the Milwaukee battery may be able to swap as well, but with more drastic case modifications.


Something to note, the Skil battery was only 1.4ah vs the 2.0ah of my Bosch batteries, and sure it took some modification to the battery but for $5 I couldn't go wrong, never hurts to have a spare battery around.

 

[ravenzfusion]

Nice work. I've done this sort of thing before with an 18 V black and decker battery. I took one little chunk of plastic off and now I use it in all of my Porter Cable 18v stuff. Don't know why manufacturers have to be all greedy. Just like pre-Micro USB phone chargers. I couldn't stand that **** (although i'd modify those as well)

 

[ravenzfusion]

The Black and Decker 12 v also look similar.

 

[GCncsuHD]

The Black and Decker 12 v also look similar.

Good find, it does appear to have the same contacts.

 

[64merc]

Thanks for taking the time to show us. I'll keep an eye out for the Skil batteries now.

 

[bonneyman]

Good job and great info!

I love when things like this work out, and folks can interchange parts to keep their trusted tools going. Like ratchet gear assemblies.

 

[woodstockva]

Bosch owns Skil....so that is most likely why they are similar. It will not fit Milwaukee since the entire base plate is tilted in the wrong position.

One thing to keep in mind before you start using non-OEM batteries in your tools though fyi....the tools keep track of the serial numbers of every single battery that has powered them (at least Milwaukee does) & if you use a non-OEM battery, you WILL void your tool warranty.

 

[GCncsuHD]

Bosch owns Skil....so that is most likely why they are similar. It will not fit Milwaukee since the entire base plate is tilted in the wrong position.

One thing to keep in mind before you start using non-OEM batteries in your tools though fyi....the tools keep track of the serial numbers of every single battery that has powered them (at least Milwaukee does) & if you use a non-OEM battery, you WILL void your tool warranty.

Wasn't aware that Bosch owned Skil, but that is not surprising.

It is noted that the Milwaukee base plate is tilted, though the latches are perpendicular and in the correct place. It doesn't look like it would be very difficult to modify any of them to interchange.

As far as the serial numbers, that is a new one on me, though entirely plausible, where did you get your information about the serial number tracking? It doesn't appear in Milwaukee's warranty exchange information at first glance. Though I did find that the 18v batteries do keep track of the number of charge cycles.

 

[IndyGarage]

you could always take it apart and take out the cells and swap them. They are identical in all the 12V tools that have that type battery. Actually the tools are 10.8 volts, having three 3.6 volt cells in them.

 

[woodstockva]

Wasn't aware that Bosch owned Skil, but that is not surprising.

It is noted that the Milwaukee base plate is tilted, though the latches are perpendicular and in the correct place. It doesn't look like it would be very difficult to modify any of them to interchange.

As far as the serial numbers, that is a new one on me, though entirely plausible, where did you get your information about the serial number tracking? It doesn't appear in Milwaukee's warranty exchange information at first glance.

I got the Milwaukee info direct from the project managers in charge of the power tools. When you send your tool in for warranty, they can tell the following :

- # of minutes the tool has been used
- # of Battery recharge cycles (each battery)
- % of charge level when recharged
- Which chargers (serial #s) that were used to recharge each cycle
- Which batteries (serial #s) have been used to power the tool
- Which tools (serial #s) that battery has been used to power
- High/Low temps of the tool
- High/Low temps of the batteries (each)
- And more that I cant think of off the top of my head

Basically the tools & batteries have tiny computers in them that keep track of how they are used. For people that use them correctly, they get warranty claims fixed with no problems. For people who try to BS Milwaukee into giving them new tools (aka - let me burn my drill up so I can get a new one, or use a heat gun on my battery to cook it), the info in those chips tell the real story.

I cannot imagine that all the other major manufacturers dont utilize the same exact type of technology in their units. Especially when people are buying these blatant knockoff batteries on eBay for 1/3rd the price & then whine when they overload and burn up their tools.

 

[Ign]

I guess the tool must just have a code for "unrecognized battery" or some such. I mean the tool and a knockoff battery or Skil battery don't speak the same language, so no actual serial numbers could be exchanged?

 

[rlitman]

The polarity of the Milwaukee batteries is reversed from the Bosch. Take a closer look.

 

[SCscoutguy]

I had a bad Bosch 10.8 battery so I got curious and opened it up. It takes three 18650 3.7v batteries like a few of my CREE flashlights do. I have had great luck with the ultrafire brand batteries from China in those so I ordered three of them and rebuilt my bad battery pack with them and so far about a year on it is still working great. I have used it quite a bit and it lasts the same as the brand new Bosch battery I bought before I rebuilt this one. It cost me about $4 total in parts but I had to wait two weeks for the batteries to get here from China.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/UltraFire-1...US_Rechargeable_Batteries&hash=item3ce471621c

 

[rlitman]

I had a bad Bosch 10.8 battery so I got curious and opened it up. It takes three 18650 3.7v batteries ...

Be careful doing that. I would make sure the charger is kept in a place that minimizes fire risk, and store the tool in a similar location.

Any time you have multiple cells in a lithium pack, you run the risk during a deep discharge of reversing the voltage on one of them. If that happens, explosions can follow. The circuitry tries to prevent this, and in commercial packs, cells are closely matched as well, but when you frankenstein a pack, bad things can happen more easily.

 

[GCncsuHD]

The polarity of the Milwaukee batteries is reversed from the Bosch. Take a closer look.

As referenced in the first post, I did not have access to a Milwaukee battery or tool to check, my comments were based purely on case construction. I did however have access to my Bosch tools and a $5 clearanced Skil battery, which did match polarity.

 

[fsdogwood]

I had a bad Bosch 10.8 battery so I got curious and opened it up. It takes three 18650 3.7v batteries like a few of my CREE flashlights do. I have had great luck with the ultrafire brand batteries from China in those so I ordered three of them and rebuilt my bad battery pack with them and so far about a year on it is still working great. I have used it quite a bit and it lasts the same as the brand new Bosch battery I bought before I rebuilt this one. It cost me about $4 total in parts but I had to wait two weeks for the batteries to get here from China.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/UltraFire-1...US_Rechargeable_Batteries&hash=item3ce471621c

Good to know, thx!

 

[Kin Creed]

That's insane Milwaukee can tell all of that from reading the tool's chip, wow!

The compact batteries can be found in 2 packs at Home Depot for $70 or so, plus throw in a HF 20% or 25% coupon and you can get down to almost $25 per battery. Not as cheap a $5 , but not too bad. I've picked up several kits that came with 2 batteries over the years so I actually have plenty of Milwaukee 12v compacts, that's probably something to think about.

With the holidays coming up you'll be able to find $99 kits with 2 batteries plus 2 tools (screwdriver and radio was last years special), so the cost gets pretty reasonable, especially if you can drive down the price further with a coupon to $75!

 

[Trey T]

Your're luck w/ the HF coupon. HF20% doesn't work everywhere or for everybody.

That's insane Milwaukee can tell all of that from reading the tool's chip, wow!

The compact batteries can be found in 2 packs at Home Depot for $70 or so, plus throw in a HF 20% or 25% coupon and you can get down to almost $25 per battery. Not as cheap a $5 , but not too bad. I've picked up several kits that came with 2 batteries over the years so I actually have plenty of Milwaukee 12v compacts, that's probably something to think about.

With the holidays coming up you'll be able to find $99 kits with 2 batteries plus 2 tools (screwdriver and radio was last years special), so the cost gets pretty reasonable, especially if you can drive down the price further with a coupon to $75!

 

[Kin Creed]

I realize the HF coupon does not always work, and the 25% is getting very hard to find. Lately I have fallen back to the just the 20%. However buying in kits, 2 packs and looking for holiday super deals are still ways to drive down the cost of batteries.

And I think if you use a Home Depot card they will always give you at least 5% off if you ask, it might even be 10%. Not sure since I only recently got one of these. It's basically another competitor price match play, you say well Lowes offers X% off if I use their card, I assume you guys can match that? Or better yet, say "Last time I was here you gave me 10% off for using the HD credit card, just want to double check that's still working!"

Generally I hate coupons, store credit cards and having to ask for discounts, but I've found there are times when it's worth the hassle.

I wish more batteries were compatible, it's frustrating there are so many brands and none of them seem to work across platforms. Just trying to think of other ways to keep battery costs in line.

 

[ravenzfusion]

I realize the HF coupon does not always work, and the 25% is getting very hard to find. Lately I have fallen back to the just the 20%. However buying in kits, 2 packs and looking for holiday super deals are still ways to drive down the cost of batteries.

And I think if you use a Home Depot card they will always give you at least 5% off if you ask, it might even be 10%. Not sure since I only recently got one of these. It's basically another competitor price match play, you say well Lowes offers X% off if I use their card, I assume you guys can match that? Or better yet, say "Last time I was here you gave me 10% off for using the HD credit card, just want to double check that's still working!"

Generally I hate coupons, store credit cards and having to ask for discounts, but I've found there are times when it's worth the hassle.

I wish more batteries were compatible, it's frustrating there are so many brands and none of them seem to work across platforms. Just trying to think of other ways to keep battery costs in line.

The funny thing is i'm sure most of these battery packs use the same 18650 battery cells.

 

[bcradio]

That's insane Milwaukee can tell all of that from reading the tool's chip, wow!

The compact batteries can be found in 2 packs at Home Depot for $70 or so, plus throw in a HF 20% or 25% coupon and you can get down to almost $25 per battery. Not as cheap a $5 , but not too bad. I've picked up several kits that came with 2 batteries over the years so I actually have plenty of Milwaukee 12v compacts, that's probably something to think about.

With the holidays coming up you'll be able to find $99 kits with 2 batteries plus 2 tools (screwdriver and radio was last years special), so the cost gets pretty reasonable, especially if you can drive down the price further with a coupon to $75!

No you can't, those coupons are for HF not HD. If you can scam your way into getting them to accept it, then consider yourself one of the lucky few.

 

[SCscoutguy]

No you can't, those coupons are for HF not HD. If you can scam your way into getting them to accept it, then consider yourself one of the lucky few.

It is their policy to match competitors coupons. I have never had a single problem with them accepting them at multiple home depots. They even have some sheet from corporate printed out telling them to honor them.

 

[firebox40dash5]

I know on the Milwaukee batteries, you can unclip the base (the black part) from the battery itself (the red part). If you can do that with yours, I would be about this >< surprised to find you can swap the bases and plop 'em right in.

 

[bcradio]

It is their policy to match competitors coupons. I have never had a single problem with them accepting them at multiple home depots. They even have some sheet from corporate printed out telling them to honor them.

you must be lucky too... Their argument is that they are not direct competitors with HF.

However, if they have a corporate mandate explicitly stating that they are to accept HF 20% off coupons then that would be a game changer. That is news to me.

 

[Kin Creed]

The HD competitor coupon deal is whole 'nother complicated thread, but my take from doing it and reading about it is this... it's store by store discretion on what competitor coupons they will accept and then they give guidelines or direction to the staff who also uses discretion on what to accept.

So it really depends on whether they want the business or not at a discounted margin. Totally up to them, but you as the customer have the right to ask for any matching that might be out there.

It looks like you should at LEAST be able 5% off any sales simply by saying Lowes offers 5% on their store credit card and you would like them to match that. Never hurts to ask! My experience has been they will match more often than not, but you have to ask.

 

[SCscoutguy]

I was looking around youtube and found this video that has some interesting information to add to this thread. It looks like all you have to do is to take the actual bottom off of the battery pack and they will exchange with one another.

Also this guy did exactly what I did with mine and bought cheap Chinese 18650 cells and rebuilt his. Mine are still going strong a year later after spending $4 each to rebuild them with cells from China.

 

[Ign]

I was looking around youtube and found this video that has some interesting information to add to this thread. It looks like all you have to do is to take the actual bottom off of the battery pack and they will exchange with one another.

Also this guy did exactly what I did with mine and bought cheap Chinese 18650 cells and rebuilt his. Mine are still going strong a year later after spending $4 each to rebuild them with cells from China.

Good info on Dremel/Bosch!

As for rebuilding, have you not read the board? You cannot rebuild li-ion. You cannot rebuild li-ion. Some people just keep saying it hoping to make it true I guess....

 

[SCscoutguy]

Good info on Dremel/Bosch!

As for rebuilding, have you not read the board? You cannot rebuild li-ion. You cannot rebuild li-ion. Some people just keep saying it hoping to make it true I guess....

I guess I must have missed those threads. I recently got some new old stock laptop batteries that should have very high quality 18650 cells in them so I am going to use them next time I have to rebuild one of these.