M18 string trimmer issue (melted battery)

[autobon7]

Have been thinking about picking up the M18 string trimmer and found in my search throughout the interwebs a lot of issues with running hot and melting batteries like here (https://forum.toolsinaction.com/topic/16240-melted-battery-terminal/). Has anyone here had these issues? Makes me want to look elsewhere

 

[Dmcastino]

I've had mine for a while now, I bought it right when the Gen2 trimmer with the ability to change attachments came out. I've definitely not melted anything, but it definitely puts a pretty heavy load on the batteries.

All in all, I'm very happy with mine, it certainly beats the noise and vibrations of a 2stroke trimmer, that's for sure

 

[autobon7]

I've had mine for a while now, I bought it right when the Gen2 trimmer with the ability to change attachments came out. I've definitely not melted anything, but it definitely puts a pretty heavy load on the batteries.

All in all, I'm very happy with mine, it certainly beats the noise and vibrations of a 2stroke trimmer, that's for sure

What size battery do you run?

 

[Ru2slo_99]

I have used my M18 trimmer for 2 summers now. It cuts and edges my 1/4 acre lot with power left on the 9 ah battery. Mine doesn't get very hot.

 

[SkinnyG]

I've never experienced that issue with mine, and I've put it to work with the hedge trimmer attachment. I use the 9ah battery; it's never even got hot. I wonder if it has something to do with the HO batteries?

 

[autobon7]

I've never experienced that issue with mine, and I've put it to work with the hedge trimmer attachment. I use the 9ah battery; it's never even got hot. I wonder if it has something to do with the HO batteries?

Im wondering if there was some quality control issues during a particular run. Bad part about it if you read through the thread above (link) Milwaukee was rather slow to respond and was not giving any explanation. Hope they are past whatever issues was going on.

 

[bbrins]

I have two of the 2825-20 power heads that get rotated through trimmer, hedge clipper, and polesaw attachments along with four 8.0 batteries. The batteries also get used with a leaf blower. I've had these for a couple years now, never noticed the batteries being anything more than warm. The blower is the biggest battery hog of all of it, the trimmer is next, the hedge trimmer just seems to sip the battery, the polesaw usually only gets used for a hand full of cuts at a time. These are used in a light commercial environment, plus some home use when the landlady needs help with the yard, so they are probably used more than typical.

 

[Odd-job]

Have never cooked a battery (overheat blinking lights) with the V1 trimmer. Grinder and chain saw are a different story though. Never recommend using non-HO batteries on those.

edit: could see the pole saw attachment overheating a battery

 

[Dmcastino]

What size battery do you run?

A 9ah, however, sometimes I run out of juice with few spots left to do, and in those times, I toss in one of my 3ah batteries.

It'll chew through the 3ah batteries pretty quick, but to be fair, they are factory refurb batteries that I got for Christmas in 2010....

I do generally run it on the slower speed though, as I typically have no need for the high speed mode.

 

[jonshonda]

I haven't had any battery issue with mine, it says Stihl on the side, makes noises like a two stroke engine does, and I have to pull this cord one time to make it start. I don't charge any batteries, but I do pour battery fluid into a tank.

 

[javyLSU]

Have been thinking about picking up the M18 string trimmer and found in my search throughout the interwebs a lot of issues with running hot and melting batteries like here (https://forum.toolsinaction.com/topic/16240-melted-battery-terminal/). Has anyone here had these issues? Makes me want to look elsewhere

I had an issue (or what I thought was an issue) with the battery cutting out after a while of trimming, noticing the battery was quite warm when it would happen. Turns out it was the electronics protecting the tool from me. I like to run the trimmer with no guard, and a long line. The motor does NOT react well to running a line longer than the guard would allow (about 6” if I recall). I started running my line at the shorter 6” length and have had ZERO problems since.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

I've had mine well over two years now. I used it as a string trimmer, a hedge trimmer and an edger. I've never had the slightest problem with using it or charging it.

 

[mrjaw14]

To me, those pictures look like possibly overheat protection not working in the battery, but that may also means the cells aren't what's getting hot. If the terminals are dirty or aren't making good contact the extra resistance will create heat at the terminal. I think its a connection issue and the terminal is melting but the battery internals aren't getting hot enough to trigger overheat protection.

 

[Aileron]

Bewtween my kids and i we have 3. have no issues. I dont use anything smaller than a 5.0 because i have a slug of them. If i bought another i wouyld get the quick lock to be able to use the edger. Mine and my sons are both quick lock and we share the edger. He lives around the block. I would also buy it with the easy wind spool.

 

[Showkey]

As far Milwaukee response……..if had two warranty claims, one battery and one vacuum.

Web service ……enter info…….print prepaid shipping label.
fedex shipping paid by Milwaukee
drop box at FedEx
email updates on the process as it moves through the process
7-10 days later new tool or battery shows up shipping paid.


I was surprised they sent a new vacuum as it was switch or speed control issue…….so component replacement would have fixed it.

My opinion on OP ex of melted connector is caused by loose spring tension on the connection. Loose means high resistance, resistance means heat. Very common in automotive connections on blower motors. Not all that much different than a loose household 120v plug with a high powered device being used.

 

[Copymutt]

Exact same happened to my Ryobi 40V trimmer. They were useless to repair or replace. Fixed it myself, been good for 2 seasons.

 

[purplezr2]

Run two of the second gen units, using everything from 5.0-12.0HO. No issues.

They were used all summer at two different locations, week in and week out.

 

[Johnnyfreel]

Have been thinking about picking up the M18 string trimmer and found in my search throughout the interwebs a lot of issues with running hot and melting batteries like here (https://forum.toolsinaction.com/topic/16240-melted-battery-terminal/). Has anyone here had these issues? Makes me want to look elsewhere

I just came in from using my brand new milwaukee weedeater and typed in "this is my second weedeater that is melting the 8ah battery that comes with it". I took the first one back for melting the battery. I am a milwaukee loyalist. But milwaukee needs to figure this issue out. I have also read on many forums that you get an hour run time out of the battery. I have yet to get more than 15 minutes. Granted I live in Texas and when I pull the trigger I don't release it for sometimes 30 minutes but 15 minutes run time gets me about a 10th of what I need to weedeat.