Knock off batteries

[SammyInnit]

Just wondering if anyone has experience with Shenzhen special batteries for power tools?

I've always bought genuine but they're expensive. I'm after some batteries for a piece of Milwaukee gear I've recently purchased but I can't decide if the cheaper knock offs are worthwhile.

Bare in mind I've considered buying the 9ah genuine which seems to be around the £130 mark or I've seen a pair of knock off 4ah around the £60/70 mark.

 

[^woody^]

I've always found third party batteries to be inferior in terms of run time, and life time. I suppose that could be factored in to the reduced price, so you could potentially have a battery that costs half as much but still lasts two-thirds as long as the original.

 

[foxhole]

I have 4 makita battery powered tools and find the makita batteries to be cack, cheaper third party batteries I bought are still going strong 5 years and a house build later, though Dewalt cheapies I tried are cack and survived less than a week.

 

[SammyInnit]

I have 4 makita battery powered tools and find the makita batteries to be cack, cheaper third party batteries I bought are still going strong 5 years and a house build later, though Dewalt cheapies I tried are cack and survived less than a week.

How old are your genuine makitas? I've often heard people say they have issues but I've never had any. A lad I'm working with currently recons his knock off makitas are good but to me they look a bit cheapo-nasty.

I've always found third party batteries to be inferior in terms of run time, and life time. I suppose that could be factored in to the reduced price, so you could potentially have a battery that costs half as much but still lasts two-thirds as long as the original.

Call me lazy but I'm not sure I can be bothered with swapping, changing and charging more frequently. It's a work-light what I've got myself so it's one of those let it run and forget about it kind of things.

 

[foxhole]

Only have one makita battery left and only holds part charge , one failed within a month the other lasted 6 months.

 

[SammyInnit]

Only have one makita battery left and only holds part charge , one failed within a month the other lasted 6 months.

I've got 13, oldest one from 2011/12, yet to have one fail.

 

[ntb]

I've heard of issues with the early Makita Li ion batteries before proper protection circuitry was introduced on the tool and battery since it was possible to overheat and over discharge them, both of which are very bad for the battery. I'm not aware of any problems with the ones that have the star on them.

 

[Deleted member 174758]

Agreed. The latest generation "Star" Makita batteries seem unbustable, expecially when teamed with newer "D"-series tools

 

[SammyInnit]

Agreed. The latest generation "Star" Makita batteries seem unbustable, expecially when teamed with newer "D"-series tools

If you're ever after new ones, look at the new 6ah. They're pricey but they're brilliant. I've got a couple for my brushless jigsaw and metal cutting circular saw and I can just about manage a week's worth of work out of each.

As to My original question I've seen a deal for £230ish for 5x5ah genuine Milwaukee batteries which seems a decent price. Brings it closer to the price of a pair of snides. It'll also be handy when the mid-torque wrench comes out over here. I think it's going to have to find its way into my toolbox.

 

[wau5]

Guys you can just sell your used batteries after you use them for a couple of years and they start to show wear and just buy new ones..
Even totally dead ones go for 1/3 of what a new ones cost, decent condition ones goes for like 75% of what a brand new goes for...
Ebay buyers are just weird....

 

[SammyInnit]

Ebay buyers are just weird....

True that

 

[Deleted member 174758]

If you're ever after new ones, look at the new 6ah. They're pricey but they're brilliant. I've got a couple for my brushless jigsaw and metal cutting circular saw and I can just about manage a week's worth of work out of each.

Hmmm. Some days I can flatten 3 x 5Ah. Going to 6Ah wouldn't give me that much more run time and the last time I looked the price differential was more like 40% than thr 20% it would need to be to be proportionate

Guys you can just sell your used batteries after you use them for a couple of years and they start to show wear and just buy new ones..

You haven't seen the state of my batteries after 12 months......

 

[SammyInnit]

Hmmm. Some days I can flatten 3 x 5Ah. Going to 6Ah wouldn't give me that much more run time and the last time I looked the price differential was more like 40% than thr 20% it would need to be to be proportionate

I have a pair of the 6ah for a metal cutting circular saw and if I swap them once a week that's all. I work with metal too so they get a battering.