Common Battery Platform?

[Philbert]

One of the concerns about battery powered tools, including chainsaws, is that each brand has unique batteries that are not compatible with tools produced by other companies. Some companies even have different lines which are not compatible with others made by the same company. This is different than gas chainsaws, which use mixed gas from any company, and corded electric chainsaws, which use any conventional extension cord.

So I was really interested to see this in my Facebook feed: a common battery platform to be shared across multiple manufacturers and brands of tools.

www.powerforall-alliance.com

Includes some big name manufacturers. Not sure how it affects existing products. Not sure where it is going, but will be interesting to watch.



Philbert

 

[Wilhelm]

So far I have:
- supermarket brand 14.4V and 18V
- Makita 14.4V in two variations incompatible with each other
- Makita 18V in two variations incompatible with each other
- Dolmar 36V (tool + battery/charger) and Makita 36V (batteries only) interchangeable on the Dolmar tool, but incompatible with each other when it comes to charging (different chargers, I had to purchase a dedicated Makita charger the other day to be able to utilize the Makita 36V battery packs I purchased a while ago).

I am increasingly annoyed by the numerous differences and incompatibilities.
A law should be passed to require manufacturers to ensure cross compatibility between models AND brands!

On the German "used" market I see a trend of users abandoning Makita battery powered systems in favor for other brands.
This occasionally makes for great deals to be had if one is quick enough and with cash in his account.

 

[ElevatorGuy]

That list doesn’t include the top brands nor will it ever I think.

A law forcing such a thing!? Lol, That will never happen (thankfully) in the states.

 

[S Sidwell]

I'll stick with my Dewalt 20v max. At least the batteries fit all the 20volt tools they sale.

Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

 

[Philbert]

Some manufacturers like proprietary systems, because it forces customers to stay with them for replacement parts and accessories.

It is possible to “standardize“ things like batteries, without forcing any choices. For example, many manufacturers make lightbulbs that fit sockets from other lamp manufacturers. But there are still many different types and sizes of lightbulbs. Something similar could be done with tool batteries.

It would certainly be beneficial for consumers, and reduce and enormous amount of e-waste.

Philbert

 

[IEL Fan]

The day phone/tablet chargers are compatible across all lines.....I believe, then you can move forward. Had steel rims on cars for decades, can someone tell me why Dodge thinks their 5 hole rim pattern is superior to say a Chey 5 bolt hole rim pattern? There are billions of cars on the planet all with rims to fit their own bolt pattern, yet we standardized the top post terminals on car batteries....lol, every 12v car plug/lighter in is the same.

 

[CR888]

There was a 'right to repair' bill put before congress and was removed/quashed by several senators from both parties. Every world environmental agency, leading industry repair shop representatives endorsed it, it was great legislation that would vastly benefit both the consumer and environment. But, those damn lobbyists and their checkbooks got to the public's representatives and killed it. Its good to see this battery platform sharing idea but I wouldn't hold your breath, it makes too much sense.

 

[srcarr52]

So far I have:
- supermarket brand 14.4V and 18V
- Makita 14.4V in two variations incompatible with each other
- Makita 18V in two variations incompatible with each other
- Dolmar 36V (tool + battery/charger) and Makita 36V (batteries only) interchangeable on the Dolmar tool, but incompatible with each other when it comes to charging (different chargers, I had to purchase a dedicated Makita charger the other day to be able to utilize the Makita 36V battery packs I purchased a while ago).

I am increasingly annoyed by the numerous differences and incompatibilities.
A law should be passed to require manufacturers to ensure cross compatibility between models AND brands!

On the German "used" market I see a trend of users abandoning Makita battery powered systems in favor for other brands.
This occasionally makes for great deals to be had if one is quick enough and with cash in his account.

The Makita 18v variants are compatible with each other once you cut the extra bump off the side of the slide in area of the battery.

 

[Wilhelm]

The Makita 18v variants are compatible with each other once you cut the extra bump off the side of the slide in area of the battery.

 

[Wilhelm]

The day phone/tablet chargers are compatible across all lines.....I believe, then you can move forward. Had steel rims on cars for decades, can someone tell me why Dodge thinks their 5 hole rim pattern is superior to say a Chey 5 bolt hole rim pattern? There are billions of cars on the planet all with rims to fit their own bolt pattern, yet we standardized the top post terminals on car batteries....lol, every 12v car plug/lighter in is the same.

I believe that in the Europe Union a bill was passed that all new devices/gadgets have to incorporate a USB-C charge port.

 

[srcarr52]

View attachment 340681 View attachment 340682 View attachment 340683

I've never seen the white top batteries. At one time they had some all black 18v 1.5 amp batteries that came with the white makita tools. They had an extra bump on the slide on the side so they would not fit in the blue makita tools, cut it off and they worked fine as the connectors where the same.

 

[Philbert]

Aside from Voltage and Amp-hour ratings for battery packs, some may also have circuitry that is integrated with control circuits in the tool. Not sure how those would work, or cause issues, with different brands/models.

Philbert

 

[IEL Fan]

I believe that in the Europe Union a bill was passed that all new devices/gadgets have to incorporate a USB-C charge port.

too ease production, maybe they will just make all devices USB-C.....please!

 

[Wilhelm]

I have used battery packs

too ease production, maybe they will just make all devices USB-C.....please!

It is not a matter of production, but rather a matter of excess E-Waste coming from charger incompatibilities between devices.

With recycling percentages still being low most E-Waste ends up in landfills and incineration facilities.

 

[Wilhelm]

Makita 14.4V battery differences

 

[Boomer2230]

too ease production, maybe they will just make all devices USB-C.....please!

But a USB-C has only 5V output.

 

[Wilhelm]

But a USB-C has only 5V output.

Not entirely correct.
I believe USB-C charging supports up to 20V/4A on dedicated Super Fast chargers.
I do not have one of those, but I have some Fast Chargers that are exceeding the 5V rating.
To fully utilize these chargers the devices being charged must support them, otherwise they will simply charge at 5V.

 

[Wilhelm]

Quote:

For example, USB Type-C alone can support up to 5 volts at 3 amps (15 W), while USB Type-C with USB PD (USB Power Delivery) allows the ecosystem to support several power levels up to a maximum of 20 volts at 5 amps (100 W).
.
.
.
Now USB PD “Power Rules” replace Power Profiles, defining four voltage levels at 5, 9, 15 and 20 volts. Instead of six fixed levels, power supplies may support any maximum source output power from 0.5 to 100 watts. Sources supplying more than 15 watts offer voltages of 5 and 9 volts, those supplying more than 27 watts offer 5, 9 and 15 volts, and those supplying more than 45 watts offer 5, 9, 15 and 20 volts.

 

[TNason01]

Probably not super relevant for OPE usage, but a whole bunch of specialty European tool brands have developed their new tools to work with Metabo style batteries. It is called the Cordless Alliance System. 32 brands at present. I found out about it when we bought a Gesipa cordless riveter at work and it arrived with Metabo batteries

 

[Wilhelm]

https://www.cordless-alliance-system.com/

With the exception of Metabo and Trumpf I never heard of any of the other brands, but it is a start.