m18 battery question

[goldie lox]

i have a drill and 1/4 driver that are both m18 batteries if i get m18 fuel batteries will they work with them and the charger or are they specific to the fuel line.

 

[Barnabas]

All M18 batteries and tools are interchangable.

 

[goldie lox]

thanks

 

[rlitman]

Fuel refers to the tool's motor, not the battery.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Correct, as long as it says M18 "RedLithium" on the side you're good. XC, High Demand, Compact. Whatever.

 

[rlitman]

Actually, M18 predates RedLithium.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Actually, M18 predates RedLithium.

i realize that, but if buying new batteries the redlithium is what you should be looking for.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Also there are imitations available which advertise as being fuel batteries, and sport much cheaper looking plastic to go with their low grade cells.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

And don't think that you need to get the biggest baddest battery either. The 9.0, the 6.0, the 5.0, etc...probably overkill unless you are drilling holes and running screws 8hrs a day.

(My M12 is used over my M18 25 fold due to weight. And the M12 is powerful)

I'd get the compact batteries to keep the weight down, and maybe a 3.0 or 4.0 if you do want/need a bigger one.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

But Li batteries live and die by charge cycles, and a 2.0 will accumulate charge cycles 2.5x faster than a 5.0 while doing the same work

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I run the 2.0 on my drill/driver and my 3/8 impact. I run the 5.0 on my impact driver and Sawzall. All fuel. For what I use them all for, those combinations get me awesome run time without overkill on weight. I would like to pick up a 9.0 for the Sawzall though, I do find sometimes I kill the 5.0 and being almost twice that, it ephod be more worth it to carry one battery than both my 5.0

 

[Ign]

I have yet to have a battery die from charge cycles and I've had tons of M12 and M18 since 2009/10. I leave my batteries on the charger and leave them in the single digit to sub-zero shop in the winter.

I'm NOT saying it's not a factor, but it's a bit like stressing over mileage on a modern truck - - it's not everything.

The 5.0s take NOTICEABLY longer to charge, so maybe you're getting twice the work but then you're also down for at least twice as long (I don't know if charge times and amp hours are exactly linear??). Or yes, get the new rapid chargers, it's just more expense. And then there's a whole new debate if rapid charging shortens battery life.

IOW, don't worry about it too much. Charge any M18 battery and use it!!!

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I try to buy enough batteries I don't have downtime.