Loose batteries in M12 Stubby impact

[2ndGearRubber]

I've been having an issue with batteries coming loose in my M12 stubby. It's 3+ years old of daily use, usually with XC platform batteries. I'll either pick the tool up and it won't work because the battery is loose, or I'll impact and it'll stop working because the battery is loose. I've also noticed the tone of impacting can change which cues me in to the battery not being seated 100%.

I have re-cased a few batteries with amazon generic cases, and have others with OE M12 housings, I don't notice much of a difference in how well either holds on. Should I suspect this is wear to the tool itself causing the batteries to work loose? I've had a more severe version of this occur when M12 batteries have a cracked locking tab on the battery case, but those have since been re-cased.

 

[darkzero]

I don't have a M12 Stubby or any other M12 impacting tools that vibrate (I'm not a fan of M12 so the few that I have is because no other choice). Are the batteries in question physically loose & fall out easy or are they simply loosing contact?

I've had a couple of M12 batteries that would loose connection randomly but weren't physically very loose. On mine it was cause by 1 (or more) of the 3 contacts on the edge. I bent the 3 tabs out a bit & never had the problem since

 

[Ilikeike]

I try a brand new OEM battery, and see how it does.
Should tell you if it’s the tool or your rehabbed batteries.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I don't have a M12 Stubby or any other M12 impacting tools that vibrate (I'm not a fan of M12 so the few that I have is because no other choice). Are the batteries in question physically loose & fall out easy or are they simply loosing contact?

I've had a couple of M12 batteries that would loose connection randomly but weren't physically very loose. On mine it was cause by 1 (or more) of the 3 contacts on the edge. I bent the 3 tabs out a bit & never had the problem since

They don't fall out. The battery will sit maybe 1/16 low against the gun, and then fail to make contact causing the issue.

 

[Rusted Nut]

There are two plastic tabs at the top that hold the batteries in place, just bend them out a bit.

 

[Zewnten]

Is it the higher amp batteries or both styles? As my coworkers has worn he’s had to be careful where he grabs it when using the higher amp batteries as it moves the battery disconnecting it. The lower amp batteries don’t have this problem

 

[dnschmidt]

Try one of the new 2.5 or 5.0 batteries. Their cases are made from a superior plastic to the originals that had this problem. That and superior batteries is why these were introduced. They also are far more oil and solvent resistant. If all else fails there's always masking tape which really isn't that bad. If the tool turns out to be the problem (the little grippers inside of the handle there is always that 5 year Milwaukee warrantee and 1-800-SAWDUST. Milwaukee would likely install new plastic shells on the tool for free it that is the problem.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Is it the higher amp batteries or both styles? As my coworkers has worn he’s had to be careful where he grabs it when using the higher amp batteries as it moves the battery disconnecting it. The lower amp batteries don’t have this problem

XC series batteries. The "L" shaped ones. That's all I use in the stubby, the ratchet and hex driver get the cylinder shaped batteries.

 

[dnschmidt]

XC series batteries. The "L" shaped ones. That's all I use in the stubby, the ratchet and hex driver get the cylinder shaped batteries.

I do it the same way for probably the same reasons. The XC gives you something to use to stand the stuffy up as it's fairly beefy. The ratchet and hex driver need to get into tighter spaces so the CP battery packs are better for that reason. Scott, you need to try the 2.5 and the 5.0 batteries. Milwaukee really did improve these packs when compared to the original packs.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I do it the same way for probably the same reasons. The XC gives you something to use to stand the stuffy up as it's fairly beefy. The ratchet and hex driver need to get into tighter spaces so the CP battery packs are better for that reason. Scott, you need to try the 2.5 and the 5.0 batteries. Milwaukee really did improve these packs when compared to the original packs.

I bought a cp2.5, it really is impressive as far as output and run time. If I keep having issues re-breaking the Amazon replacement cases I would be interested in a 5.0

What makes the XC shaped batteries perfect is a magnetic base attachment for the case. Sticks it right to the rack arm. As far as I know there is no magnetic attachment for the 5.0 yet.

 

[Firebrick43]

I miss the old days when people were embarrassed to admit they had a stubby.

 

[dnschmidt]

I bought a cp2.5, it really is impressive as far as output and run time. If I keep having issues re-breaking the Amazon replacement cases I would be interested in a 5.0

What makes the XC shaped batteries perfect is a magnetic base attachment for the case. Sticks it right to the rack arm. As far as I know there is no magnetic attachment for the 5.0 yet.

Scott, the 5.0 is the same size as the 3.0, 4.0 and 6.0 XC batteries. Therefore your magnetic base (something that I didn't know existed) should fit it fine.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Scott, the 5.0 is the same size as the 3.0, 4.0 and 6.0 XC batteries. Therefore your magnetic base (something that I didn't know existed) should fit it fine.

STS Auto Design m12 Hi Output Style Magnetic Battery Attachment — STS Auto Design

A New Solution for the m12 Hi Output Style batteries. Stay connected, stay magnetic! Free Shipping In the Continental USA! Shipping available to Canada.

www.stsautodesign.com

They make m18 ones too. I'll have no fear buying 5.0HO batteries then.

I did a big swap of all my batteries with "relatively good" housings to work, and the ones with the most beat housings for home use. I expect in the next 12 months to be stuck buying some batteries.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

So I wanted to update this thread. The issue has been corrected, new M12 batteries fixed the fitment issue. I do not believe the plastic of the aftermarket housings is up to the task of vibrating on an impact.

I found over time I could twist the battery in the gun slightly, and that's what allowed them to slip down and fail to contact. So I have two new 4.0s for impact use, the recased batteries will be used elsewhere until they die.

 

[Xabre]

I noticed this issue some time ago with my Fuel M12 impact ratchet. When using 4 and 6AH batteries the tool would show the alternating flashing error message on the LED indicator panel after use. I would need to use the tool, pull the battery out and reinsert it to be able to use the tool again. It took me a little while to notice this was not happening when I used a 1.5, 2 or 3AH battery. I also have a non fuel M12 ratchet that I used without any issues at all irrespective of the battery. I believed I had a faulty tool at first, however I bought a new M12 fuel impact driver and experienced the same problem with the same battery types. I have a selection of brand new and older batteries, the issues persist irrespective of battery age. I thought this was down to the different shape and weight of the larger capacity batteries, or possibly the impacting of the tool vibrating the battery partially away from the battery terminals, however today I had the same issue with a brand new M12 drill driver on it's first use drilling a small pilot hole. This caused me to compare a smaller 2AH battery to a 6AH battery. The locating barbs on the 4 and 6AH differ slightly to the 1.5/2/3AH batteries. If you have the same selection of batteries compare them side by side, you will notice the locating barbs are moulded to a different angle on the smaller capacity batteries.