Replies

1. 
   mudman | May 24, 2006 07:41am | #1

   Cell phones and lap tops have been using these batteries for years and they are pretty high draw devices as well. My cell has had the same Li Ion battery for 2 years with no prob. I think all the nicer laptops use them, so ask your computer friends if they have that problem. I don't see why tools would be different.

   Mike

   P.S. I forgot I have a VERY bright light designed for mountain biking at night that uses Li Ion and it has worked fine for more than 2 years.

   Mike

1. 
   dgreen | May 24, 2006 08:04am | #2

   Yeah right.... I drive 3 inch screws into hardwood, cut 2x4s and run 2 inch holesaws all the time with my cell phone and flashlight....
   Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves. ~Italian Proverb

1. 
   mudman | May 24, 2006 05:12pm | #3

   True, cordless saws draw huge amounts power from batteries, but a lap top running full tilt burning a disk and conected to a WiFi draws a lot too. However, the poster is concerned about the chemicals inside the cells degradeing in 18 months regaurdless of use. Acording to the manufacturers (Milwalkee, Panasonic and Makita) Li Ion can be cycled many more times.And these batteries are not really a new technology in cordless tools, panasonic has used them for a couple of years.

   Mike

2. 
   forestgirl | May 24, 2006 06:47pm | #4

   Some of this may be based on the iPod battery fiasco, which spawned a class-action law suit. 

   Li-ion batteries do need to be treated somewhat differently from NiCads and NMH batteries.  There's been quite a bit of info about them in the mags over the last year or so.  Wikipedia's entry for them has quite a bit of useful info, assuming it's accurate.  Looks like you want to be careful not to fully discharge them, charge them "early and often"; get a battery that was made recently, not a couple years ago, and avoid hot storage areas (see chart toward the bottom of the page).

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   

1. 
   mudman | May 25, 2006 05:05pm | #10

   Very intersesting, I hope to hear more about this.

   Mike

3. 
   WarnerD | May 24, 2006 07:04pm | #5

   Makita lithium ion tools have a three year warranty.

1. 
   bszydlo | May 24, 2006 07:48pm | #6

   I originally posted this thread because I recently heard that Bosch was holding off on the Lithium Ion tools due to concerns about the technology. Below is a copy of a post from an Apple forum
   "Something everybody should know by now about lithium ion batteries is that they only last for about 18 months before dramatically losing charge. This is true for every lithium ion battery, regardless of device or manufacturer. That's the limit of the chemicals in the battery, and the price you pay for the high output and low weight these have relative to other technologies. A NiMH power cell would live longer, for sure...but it would either weigh more or die sooner after each charge."

2. 
   forestgirl | May 25, 2006 08:10am | #7

   "Makita lithium ion tools have a three year warranty."  Do you have a copy?  Does the fine print exclude the battery?forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   dgreen | May 25, 2006 08:44am | #8

   This is straight off the Makita website.The Makita LXT Lithium-ion battery has a limited one-year warranty.
   Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves. ~Italian Proverb

1. 
   forestgirl | May 25, 2006 06:02pm | #11

   Thanks, I didn't think the batter would have a 3-year warranty.  Too many variables in how people use/abuse them.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

2. 
   WarnerD | May 25, 2006 08:53pm | #12

   I  apologize, you are 100% correct.  That being said, these tools feel good and run great. I anticipate a long run time with the batteries, since Makita spent most of ther research in the charging system. 

1. 
   forestgirl | May 25, 2006 10:28pm | #13

   I suspect your optimism with prove well-justified.  I can't imagine companies like Makita and Bosch lining up some kind of loser battery-wise.  They have too much to lose in the construction trade!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

4. 
   JayF | May 25, 2006 04:19pm | #9

   We were discussing the new Bosch 10.8 v Litheon Pocket Driver in another discussion and I found this on Bosch's Web site:

   http://www.boschtools.com/about-bosch-tools/press-room/Litheon+White+Paper.htm

   It has some interesting information regarding Lithium-ion batteries - their 36 v and 10.8 - and how they have to be engineered and utilized. I thought it was interesting information and a nice 101 on the technology. It seems like there are a few things to look for.

5. 
   WillGeorge | May 26, 2006 04:05pm | #14

   18 months! Geeee.. I lost three battry chargers by then! Yes the YELLOW drills!

   YEP.. They R' 14.4 Volt and ANOTHER BRAND BATTRIE in ther' to make it woirk!

   SO THERE!

   
   

   ---

   Edited 5/26/2006 9:08 am by WillGeorge