Minority perhaps but some batteries are being manufactured with BMS’s that talk to Victron. We have an Epoch battery fitted (12V 460Ah V2 Elite Series - Heated & Bluetooth & Victron Comms LiFePO4 Battery) that’s connected to our Victron system. In fact all the elements in the domestic battery system are connected to the Victron Cerbo GX and Victron Touch display. MPPT, DC-DC, Victron charger-inverter, Victron shunt, battery etc all connected together and monitored by the Cerbo computer. It works extremely well.
Battery tools are just so effective there is little need to mains tools. As for safety, capacity and longevity, I still have every battery I’ve ever bought, having owned my tool system for 14 years, all still work, none have caught fire and I’ve never had to stop work due to lack of power. I do have some mains woodworking saws.
A ‘cheapo’ B&Q tool is no indicator of the capabilities of properly engineered battery tools. My 18v makita brushless drill is 14 years old, and whilst it’s cosmetically a bit battered, it is performing just as well as new. So are the 2 Li batteries it came with. Though being a mere 3Ah, they only really get used on the drill, and orbital sander, which have light current requirements. I have newer 5 and 6 Ah batteries for the thirstier tools, like SDS drills and grinders.
Epoch have a good reputation but of course all victron stuff will talk to other victron stuff even if it doesn't finally talk to the battery. This is how our system is set up. What benefit do you achieve having the Epoch batteries talk to the victron system? I have looked at this communication interface in some detail and really don't see the benefit. Don't get me wrong, Epoch battery as probably up there as some of the best but you really do pay a lot of money for features I don't think we need. I like lots of aspects of those batteries and they are beautifully built but too pricey for me.
100% agree. I’ve got a couple of old mains powered drills but the Makita 18V battery drill gets used for almost everything. It’s even got a hammer function for masonry drilling. For large masonry holes (or lots of them) the SDS mains drill comes out.
I agree and I’m not sure what real benefit I get from the battery talking to the Cerbo. And the Victron dealer pointed out that the Victron shunt is actually much more accurate than the shunt(s) in the battery…
The ultimate LiFePO4 battery? Epoch's 460ah powerhouse
I suspect the drill was bought many years ago. I bought one with the same idea if it didn't work. I can't remember the date but Lithium ion were unheard of or perhaps available with a mortgage.
Didn't say it was.
I have a corded SDS breaker. I do in fact have 2 Wolf mains drills but they are heavy, have no hammer action and are inconvenient. I haven’t used one for at least 10 years.
Sounds about right but probably a bit earlier. It was a distress purchase, when the inadequately secured huge battery in the huge truck I'd just bought fell over when going over a speed bump and flooded everything with acid, fortunately within walking distance of a BnQ.
Whilst one might admire your loyalty to corded drills etc you’ll have to explain to me why I haven’t seen a tradesman using one for many years. They all use Milwaukee or Makita etc. MUCH more convenient and just as powerful.
No I wont.
It could have been earlier. Battery drills were a novelty and only lead acid. Hence the doubt about longevity and backup plan for 12V on boat. I bought a tiny 600W generator soon after. It charged batteries and ran small power tools.
I have read the whole thread and there’s no plausible explanation. There’s some explanation of how poor LA battery powered tools were twenty years ago but that’s irrelevant now.
