Milwaukee M28 batteries on ebay

[DieselSaves]

I'm in the market for a couple M28 batteries. A local retailer has them for $150 each new. I checked ebay and there are new M28, not V28, batteries listed anywhere from $95 with free shipping all the way to $180 or so with shipping. Anyone know why there are such discrepancies? Are the cheap ones five year old "new batteries" or are some sellers just getting their stock really cheap? I don't really like spending lots of money on batteries but I also don't want to waste money buying a cheaper product that fails early.

 

[Strouty]

M28 batteries carry a three year warranty. I am pretty sure if they have to be purchased from an authorized reseller. I know you need a receipt, so as long as they are an authorized reseller the warranty would start from the time you bought it. I am also pretty sure you would have to be buying either a new kit or a battery that is sealed in its own package.

 

[roverhybrids]

I believe v28 is obsolete. the new batteries are m28, just like the 12v and 18v are m12 and m18.

 

[Strouty]

They fit the same, milwaukee did that one the right way.

 

[Fordman7795]

The $95 ones are not milwaukee brand, they are chinese knockoffs.

 

[DieselSaves]

M28 batteries carry a three year warranty. I am pretty sure if they have to be purchased from an authorized reseller. I know you need a receipt, so as long as they are an authorized reseller the warranty would start from the time you bought it. I am also pretty sure you would have to be buying either a new kit or a battery that is sealed in its own package.

So there is the possibly of buying a battery with a warrantee on ebay? I assume such sellers make themselves known?

The $95 ones are not milwaukee brand, they are chinese knockoffs.

This is my fear. The picture in the ad is of an actual Milwaukee battery with all the right stickers on it.

I'll do some more research on the sellers.

 

[Ign]

Aren't they $129 at homedepot.com? Are there still $20 off $100 Northern codes that are valid? That's approach #1.

I was wrong, $139 ea:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M28-Lithium-Ion-28-Volt-Battery-Pack-48-11-2830/203353461

Approach #2 is buy HD gift cards at giftcardzen for 10% off, you just saved $14 right there. Then try the Northern thing or just a Lowe's 10%, now you're down around 20% net discount and close to $100 per battery which I consider good for a new M28.

I watched ebay for awhile myself, finally gave up as it seemed every real M28 got bid up $130+. I really don't think most ebay sellers will keep your warranty intact unless it's like toolup or toolbarn selling on ebay. But I don't know that for a fact.

I got my last 2 through Zoro on a sale for around $100 ea, I was satisfied. They were still 18 months old. I don't think Zoro/Grainger is turning these things over much obviously (but ebay is as every new one put up sees action IME).

If there are any used batteries on ebay at $60 ea they're decent but it's a **** shoot - might last 2 months, might last 3 years. Here ya go, these guys are legit
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Milwaukee-M...824?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d14acd8e0

I've had good luck w the used batteries but one died after a year or so. You just have to decide if the reduced cost is worth the gamble to you. And it's worth noting if you're powering the bandsaw batteries in top condition are never a bad idea, IMO the bandsaw is the highest-draw tool in the line-up. That said, I used mine extensively with used batteries purchased on ebay and old 2 3/8" oil field pipe. Like most lithium-ion, they either take a charge and work fine or they simply don't.

edit: and where's sberry with the blood warmer battery review? Did he ever receive that? That was a potential line for all GJ members to get cheaper M28 batteries, if the OP (of that thread) is still willing to source and ship them.

 

[DieselSaves]

Thanks for the responses. I looked a little closer at the batteries and the ones that seem like the best, safest bet are all over $140 which makes the Home Depot gift card option look really good. I'll probably go that route to be as safe as possible.

I did a little research on the blood warmer battery that was mentioned in an earlier thread. It's an Enflow product, part number 301, also labeled as enErgy. All of them I see are the old V28 style which makes me think they are from before the switch to M28 style batteries, and they all come in the warmer kit.

 

[Ign]

Thanks for the responses. I looked a little closer at the batteries and the ones that seem like the best, safest bet are all over $140 which makes the Home Depot gift card option look really good. I'll probably go that route to be as safe as possible.

I did a little research on the blood warmer battery that was mentioned in an earlier thread. It's an Enflow product, part number 301, also labeled as enErgy. All of them I see are the old V28 style which makes me think they are from before the switch to M28 style batteries, and they all come in the warmer kit.

Yep, at least with HD you've got some protection, I mean they'll likely take it back for any reason within a reasonable timeframe. And you know they'll be new in the package. And free ship on all orders over $45. And you might even get some new-ish batteries.

Interesting on the blood warmer, I was also wondering if it was the new M28 style or the old V28 style. If it's V28, I'd likely avoid it unless we can know for sure they upgraded the cells to the M28 cells. The V28 packs are more durable (physically) as they clamshell together left/right. The M28's have a "top cap" that drops on and anchors w plastic screws, but it tries to rip that cap off (which has the dovetails) if the tool is leveraged against the battery, like rotational force of a drill.

People complain batteries are "sooooo expensive" but most quality batteries in the 18 to 28 volt market are at least $100 (price the M18 4.0 and 5.0, they're no cheaper) and if you care for an M28 battery (like don't drop it repeatedly or leave it in the rain) it'll give you 6 years of service pretty easily. I don't see that as expensive.

 

[Fordman7795]

So there is the possibly of buying a battery with a warrantee on ebay? I assume such sellers make themselves known?



This is my fear. The picture in the ad is of an actual Milwaukee battery with all the right stickers on it.

I'll do some more research on the sellers.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Power-Tool-...669?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item56677b7d25

Fake, the stickers are made to look like a milwaukee original but its not.

 

[RunninOnEmpty]

Yeah, there are unfortunately lots of fake batteries and chargers out there. Happens a lot with laptop and cellphone stuff, too. http://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/white-paper-on-fake-battery-packs/

 

[Ign]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Power-Tool-...669?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item56677b7d25

Fake, the stickers are made to look like a milwaukee original but its not.

Super fake 'cause it's the V28 style too!

edit: for the OP, are you totally opposed to rebuilds from currentbatteries? He seems to be really confident in his product, and I can appreciate a competent American having rebuilt (just about anything) to make it as good or better than new --I think we've all felt like we made a product better than OEM at some point in our lives. He had told me $90 per pack and acted like he had them in stock even though I wasn't able to find them on his website last I looked. It's not a huge savings but not a terrible deal IF they're truly OEM quality.

 

[Strouty]

I don't see those as "fake" they are just replacement batteries. If they were half the price of new ones I may consider them. Years ago I had bought a Nikon camera and I needed spare batteries. I bought some replacements and they were one third the cost of Nikon batteries. They are still going strong, and the factory Nikon is long since dead.

 

[RunninOnEmpty]

edit: for the OP, are you totally opposed to rebuilds from currentbatteries? He seems to be really confident in his product, and I can appreciate a competent American having rebuilt (just about anything) to make it as good or better than new --I think we've all felt like we made a product better than OEM at some point in our lives. He had told me $90 per pack and acted like he had them in stock even though I wasn't able to find them on his website last I looked. It's not a huge savings but not a terrible deal IF they're truly OEM quality.

I am not OP and I am not familiar with that company, but I will say that I would take a properly rebuilt battery using quality cells like Sony, LG, Sanyo or Panasonic over anything from China.

 

[Ign]

I don't see those as "fake" they are just replacement batteries. If they were half the price of new ones I may consider them. Years ago I had bought a Nikon camera and I needed spare batteries. I bought some replacements and they were one third the cost of Nikon batteries. They are still going strong, and the factory Nikon is long since dead.

True enough. Are the 28V batts just 28 nominal but more like 24 (I think?)

My M28 battery claims 66 Wh, which would be 2.75 Ah, and M28's are supposedly 3.0, so rounding up?

But his (eBay) 2000mAh rating isn't looking good, that's a 2.0 if I'm operating the fancy number box correctly.

FWIW currentbatteries told me his packs are 3.2Ah after rebuild. I don't know if it's actually true.

 

[Ign]

Flash sale w Zoro today, 30% off 11-2 CT. Makes them $101.92 if you order 2 to meet the $200 threshold
http://www.zoro.com/i/G2013182/