power tools: Replacement batteries

[nereo]

My cordless drill needs a new battery, and a quick search online shows the OEM batteries cost ~$50 each (won't say the brand, but it looks like a bumblebee).
BUT - there are lots of 3rd-party batteries that promise more storage (3.0 Ah 3rd party vs. 2.4 Ah OEM) and they are less than half the cost (a two-pack is ~$40, vs $50 each)

Any reason not to buy 3rd party here? Reviews seem really good...

[KarefulKactus15]

I bought the top rated after market battery on Amazon for a tool for your bumblebees little home use rated orange and black cousin.   

It never worked.     All the reviews were good! So maybe it was bad luck of the draw for me.

Given the choice again, I'd just pay the 2x price for oem.  Those bumblebee batteries take a beating and keep on going.

Edit: also it didn't "fit" as good as oem.  I guess the plastic tolerances at the 3rd party factory aren't as tight.

[Rocket]

Another option is to have your batteries rebuilt.  Usually better than new.

[nereo]

Another option is to have your batteries rebuilt.  Usually better than new.

how does one do that?

[bobechs]

Another option is to have your batteries rebuilt.  Usually better than new.

how does one do that?

Various vendors offer their services on ebay.  Usually priced one increment under original replacements, somewhat more expensive than third party (china ) ready to wear battery packs.

[Gronnie]

Wait a minute, why not just name the brand instead of resorting to cryptic descriptions? What's the harm in naming the brand directly?

[mires]

Wait a minute, why not just name the brand instead of resorting to cryptic descriptions? What's the harm in naming the brand directly?

OP is ashamed to say they own Dewalt. Not really. I have no idea why they wouldn't just say it.

[HipGnosis]

I would base that decision on how much and how hard you use the drill.
If you use it for work ($$) often and or hard (totally drain it when you do use it); then OEM.
For light, occasional use; 3rd party.
For in between...  I'd get two of the 3rd party batts and charge one while using one.
BUT; I would only buy a 3rd party battery from where you know you can return or exchange it.

I just bought a new cordless drill.  My 4th or 5th battery died.   I got a new, cheap drill at Harbor Freight for just $2 more than buying another 3rd party batt for my Crafstman.   I don't use it enough to justify paying any more.  I have a plug in drill for any tough jobs that come up.

[nereo]

Wait a minute, why not just name the brand instead of resorting to cryptic descriptions? What's the harm in naming the brand directly?

OP is ashamed to say they own Dewalt. Not really. I have no idea why they wouldn't just say it.

not ashamed, i like the drill.  It's just standard practice for many not to mention individual brands, which can lead to blowback from legal departments designed to 'police a brand'.  Same reason TV shows avoid showing labels. Brands can also quickly derail a discussion. For this post the brand is irrelevant to the discussion at hand.

I would base that decision on how much and how hard you use the drill.
...

interesting way of looking at it.  I use it for weekend projects but tend to do things that are more demanding, like drilling 3" lag bolts into red oak (and drilling the pilot holes).  I'll probably go with an OEM based on yours and Kroaler's advice.  I haven't been able to find a rebuild option near where I am to make it any cheaper than a new OEM one.

[paddedhat]

I would base that decision on how much and how hard you use the drill.
If you use it for work ($$) often and or hard (totally drain it when you do use it); then OEM.
For light, occasional use; 3rd party.
For in between...  I'd get two of the 3rd party batts and charge one while using one.
BUT; I would only buy a 3rd party battery from where you know you can return or exchange it.

I just bought a new cordless drill.  My 4th or 5th battery died.   I got a new, cheap drill at Harbor Freight for just $2 more than buying another 3rd party batt for my Crafstman.   I don't use it enough to justify paying any more.  I have a plug in drill for any tough jobs that come up.

I don't have any experience with Harbor Freight's battery tools but I bought two plug in tools over the last few years, a 1/2" drill and a 5" Orbital sander. Both failed within a few hours. I have had a lot more success with their standard hand tools and things like Hydraulic jacks.

  Battery tools are interesting, especially Dewalt. I live in Amish country, and they use battery tools and lighting extensively, and are partial to Dewalt. ( they are also HUGE fans of Stihl brand string trimmers and backpack style leaf blowers ) As a result, I buy all my stuff locally, in stores that are not connected to electricity, but are lit with custom modified Dewalt LED area lighting hanging from the ceiling. I pay Amazon-Ebay prices for tools and batteries, and can get stuff repaired and rebuilt quickly and inexpensively. Of course, the down side is that they can't call you when your stuff is ready for pickup (no phone at the store) and they only take cash, but it's an interesting way to do business.

[Rocket]

I have an older Festool drill and the batteries would no longer hold a charge.  Replacement batteries were $175.  I dont remember which company I used but I mailed my batteries and had them rebuilt.  Good as new (probably better because they use better cells) for about $45.  mtobattery.com is an example of a company that does it that gets good reviews on a woodworking site I use.  There are a lot of others.

[lthenderson]

The last time I went to buy new batteries for one of my Dewalt cordless drills, I found that a new drill set with more torque and two faster charging batteries and charger only cost a few more dollars than the two new OEM batteries, and it came with an LED light that my old drill didn't have. I bought the new set and sold my old drill/batteries/charger which made the cost difference even less.

[nereo]

The last time I went to buy new batteries for one of my Dewalt cordless drills, I found that a new drill set with more torque and two faster charging batteries and charger only cost a few more dollars than the two new OEM batteries, and it came with an LED light that my old drill didn't have. I bought the new set and sold my old drill/batteries/charger which made the cost difference even less.

Yep, this is definitely the frustrating part; two OEM batteries costs about $100.  A new equivelent model with 2 batteries, carrying case, charger and drill is $140.
In the past I've always just replaced the entire drill when the batteries no longer held a charge, but it seems such a friggen waste.

[Syonyk]

Another option is to have your batteries rebuilt.  Usually better than new.

That depends on the battery technology.

For the older NiCd packs, yes, go this way - your local Batteries+ or such should be able to rebuild them.

For the lithium stuff, the rebuilds are a good bit more complex (I rebuild lithium battery packs for people), but the reality for most lithium based tool packs is that you can't rebuild them for the cost of buying a new pack.  I'm literally better off buying a new tool battery for the cells than trying to get the cells to rebuild a pack.  The volumes are insane, and the profit per pack is based around that volume (you can get people to hand assemble them in China for pennies, though I think some of the newer packs are machine built - I'm pretty sure the DeWalt 20V Max 6.0Ah pack is machine assembled).

I'm not familiar with the lithium aftermarket packs, but I suppose I should grab a few to pull apart for analysis.

What I will say is that if you are storing your lithium tool packs fully charged, stop doing that.  Run them down a bit for storage and they'll last a lot longer.  Lithium cells are most stressed when totally full and totally empty.  The DeWalt charger I have, at least, won't charge the cells fully (it charges them to 4.1V/cell instead of the datasheet 4.2V/cell), which should improve service life a good bit, but storing them around 3.8V/cell is a much better place for storage (you'll note packs show up half charged, and this is why).

[nereo]

...

What I will say is that if you are storing your lithium tool packs fully charged, stop doing that.  Run them down a bit for storage and they'll last a lot longer.  Lithium cells are most stressed when totally full and totally empty.  The DeWalt charger I have, at least, won't charge the cells fully (it charges them to 4.1V/cell instead of the datasheet 4.2V/cell), which should improve service life a good bit, but storing them around 3.8V/cell is a much better place for storage (you'll note packs show up half charged, and this is why).

Good to know.  I've definitely charged my packs fully each time before putting them away; didn't realize that was bad. 
Side question, what about storing them in the cold?  People claim you shouldn't store lithium batteries in the cold (like an unheated garage in teh winter) because it kills the battery.  Not sure if that's a myth based on old techonology or wives-tales or what.  I mean, hybrids and EVs sit out in the cold with lithium batteries, right?

[Syonyk]

Good to know.  I've definitely charged my packs fully each time before putting them away; didn't realize that was bad.

Yup.  Bad for lithium.  A good tool pack maker (I know for a fact DeWalt does this) doesn't charge them all the way ever, but you can still improve on that by running them down.  I like to keep my packs around 2 LEDs (of 3) unless I'm using them.  I don't always do that, but I won't charge them right after use either.  If you're using them constantly, it doesn't matter, just charge them fully, but for infrequently used batteries it will make a difference.

Side question, what about storing them in the cold?  People claim you shouldn't store lithium batteries in the cold (like an unheated garage in teh winter) because it kills the battery.  Not sure if that's a myth based on old techonology or wives-tales or what.  I mean, hybrids and EVs sit out in the cold with lithium batteries, right?

Storing them in the cold is fine - ideal, even.  You'll reduce the rate of side parasitic reactions and extend the life.

Using them when cold will work, but they're going to feel weak (the voltage sags badly and you don't get nearly as much power out of them).

Charging them when cold is quite destructive to longevity.  A good charger will refuse to charge them if they're too hot or too cold, but you shouldn't charge a lithium battery below freezing at all, and I wouldn't suggest charging anything below about 45-50F if you've got a fast charger - the cells lithium plate and you get permanent capacity loss.

Too hot is bad for them as well - the side reactions increase in rate.  So leaving your batteries in the car trunk all summer long will kill them too.

Basically, if you're comfortable without excessive clothing, the batteries are probably happy enough.