Universal 18V battery charger

[coopec]

I am waiting for the day when some manufacturer comes out with a standard/universal battery charger designed for all makes. And the 18V tool makers design tools to that standard.

Right now I have a battery charger for Ryobi, Hitachi, Rockwell, Bavaria and Ozito. How sane is that?

There is a battery charge that will charge different brands of batteries but you have to buy adapters as required. I'm not recommending this brand as I imagine there'd be a choice of brands.

Universal 7.2V-18V NiCd / NiMH / LiIon Powertool Battery Charger Base | Batteries Direct

NOTE Makita/Hitachi seem to have a common standard: maybe others will follow?

 

[Northern Star]

Don't be silly in trying to save the planet it will affect their sales and profitability.

I recall seeing a ceramic engine that was mega fuel efficient and never wore out in the 80's too but guess along with hydrogen fuel cell cars the politics of greed over rule any green advantages while there is still oil in the ground to be exploited for profit?

 

[coopec]

Don't be silly in trying to save the planet it will affect their sales and profitability.

I recall seeing a ceramic engine that was mega fuel efficient and never wore out in the 80's too but guess along with hydrogen fuel cell cars the politics of greed over rule any green advantages while there is still oil in the ground to be exploited for profit?

I remember that ceramic engine too. But I think we will be forced (by legislation) to give away our petrol/diesel engined motor cars.

“The stone age did not end because the world ran out of stones,
and the oil age will not end because we run out of oil.”

These words have been credited to Ahmed Zaki Yamani who was
the Minister of Oil for Saudi Arabia for more than twenty years.

 

[Graham376]

Right now I have a battery charger for Ryobi, Hitachi, Rockwell, Bavaria and Ozito. How sane is that?
NOTE Makita/Hitachi seem to have a common standard: maybe others will follow?

I think we've all been in your position over the years and sometimes replacement batteries or chargers were dearer than the original tool. Several makes have such wide ranges using the same batteries these days, it's far easier to stick to one brand than a few years ago and plenty of good after market cheaper batteries around as well. For my hobby use these days, I've gone for Ryobi, decent value for money mid-range tools.

 

[coopec]

Now that Hitachi and Makita batteries are interchangeable it will only take someone like Ryobi to fall into line too and that will become the industry standard,

 

[Kilo]

Now that Hitachi and Makita batteries are interchangeable it will only take someone like Ryobi to fall into line too and that will become the industry standard,

Never going to happen, keeping users tied to a brand is what makes their world go round.

 

[Rappey]

I've just bought one of these as it was £200 cheaper than the makita and bought a battery adapter so I can use my makita baterries with it.

 

[coopec]

Never going to happen, keeping users tied to a brand is what makes their world go round.

I ended up with a complete set of Hitachi 18V tools (There's about ten different tools) because the tradesman reckoned all the batteries were knackered. He switched to a new complete set of Makita. I really don't that theory applies in this case.

 

[coopec]

I've just bought one of these as it was £200 cheaper than the makita and bought a battery adapter so I can use my makita baterries with it.

Yes good on you. I bought a Rockwell circular saw complete with battery and charger for $A80.

Even though the rest of my 18V tools are Hitachi there was no way I was going to pay $A250 for a Hitachi circular saw.

 

[Rappey]

There are an ever increasing amount of " for makita " tools on ebay. Look like makita but are clones that take a makita battery.
Bought a 1/2" impact driver the other day - £18 ! It's amazing for what it costs.

 

[Kilo]

I ended up with a complete set of Hitachi 18V tools (There's about ten different tools) because the tradesman reckoned all the batteries were knackered. He switched to a new complete set of Makita. I really don't that theory applies in this case.

I'm sorry, I may be missing your point but the big name brands avoid cross compatability so that people are /feel tied to their brands - once you've invested they hope you're going to be locked in.
There's no way that different manufacturers are suddenly going to get together and help consumers mix & match batteries & tools.
I'm glad that you're finding ways round the issue, I do the same but there's no help from the manufacturers.

 

[Rappey]

Milwaukee and dewalt batteries can be interchangeable ..

 

[Kilo]

Milwaukee and dewalt batteries can be interchangeable ..

I think that's only if you trim tabs on the battery or use an aftermarket adapter.

 

[coopec]

I'm sorry, I may be missing your point but the big name brands avoid cross compatability so that people are /feel tied to their brands - once you've invested they hope you're going to be locked in.
There's no way that different manufacturers are suddenly going to get together and help consumers mix & match batteries & tools.
I'm glad that you're finding ways round the issue, I do the same but there's no help from the manufacturers.

I meet a lot of tradesmen and they all buy their tools in kits and upgrade them as technology changes - niCad/l ion, post /slide batteries, 18V/36V(?). Or they upgrade all tools as they wear out.

I've never heard of an 18V tool giving up the ghost as they are so reliable. I visited two toolmarts (of nation-wide chains) and was surprised at the number of kits available (They weren't trying to sell individual tools)

 

[Kilo]

We haven't met, I own a small furniture making business, 12 & 18v tools are used constantly.