Cordless tools batteries

[Bobs69]

We are using Panasonic 18v Lithium,have 14 of them!They are very durable,strong and last for a long time!We use them hard gets droped accidently used in the rain but still work great!

Battle tested!  Good enough for me.  So you can buy a panasonic battery to use with a dewalt?

[Mopar440+6]

Heat is the real enemy...

Kenny speaks the truth in more ways than one. Heat buildup during charge/discharge cycles is extremely damaging to dry-cell batteries. The deeper the discharge and recharge the better.

Also, temperature fluctuation will kill batteries just as quickly. When you grab a tool out of the back of the truck in the middle of the winter and start using it or drop it on the charger, the temperature in the battery spikes. Just being exposed to major temperature changes (like being kept in a garden shed that goes from 50F overnight to 120F during the day) can severely damage the cells.

My dad bought a new Dewalt cordless drill sometime in 2000. By late 2001 or early 2002 we had replaced both batteries with the "upgraded" Dewalt batteries. Those lasted until sometime in 2004. Around then someone told us about problems temperature change can cause. For Christmas that year I bought him a Milwaukee drill/worklight set. We started storing it inside and making sure that the batteries were completely discharged. To this day, that drill will still run for a couple hours of solid use. My cordless tools (all Milwaukee) get discharged as far as they will go before a recharge and get stored in the house. It's inconvenient sometimes but I have yet to notice a change in the life of the batteries...

[Chryco Psycho]

I have always used Makita over Black & Dewalt , Makita are simply better tools

[69 OUR/TEA]

The Ridgid set I speak of that I have ,has lasted me since 2003-4,very durable tools,the drill,sawzall,and circular saw are real great.After looking at new sets lately,and asking here,I think I'll roll the dice and buy a battery off Ebay and see where it gets me.I don't use the set as much as I used to as my addition on myhouse is done,so it's just used here and there for small projects now.

[sunfire69]

I highly recommond getting them rebuilt.....Primcell does a great job....what you get back is better than new.

[Patronus]

I have always used Makita over Black & Dewalt , Makita are simply better tools

I beg to differ sir. I have made my living with Dewalt tools for the past 25 years, almost exclusively. I am able to try any brand of tool prior to use. I depend on Dewalt.