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I've a hitatchi cordless drill with 2 1.5aH L-ion batteries, that don't really seem to hold a great charge any more.
It's several years old, but the drill works fine.
I was toying with getting a new drill ([url= http://www.screwfix.com/p/bosch-gsb-18-2-li-plus-18v-4-0ah-li-ion-cordless-combi-drill/7434k ]hundred quid bosch from screwfix looks good[/url]) but have seen non OEM replacement batteries for teh HItatchi on ebay for £34 [url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/272202176793?lpid=122&chn=ps&googleloc=1007259&poi=&campaignid=207297426&device=c&adgroupid=13585920426&rlsatarget=aud-133395220626%3Apla-131843267586&adtype=pla&crdt=0 ]here[/url]..
What's the hive's view on non-oem batteries?
Are they safe? Or is this question simply overthinking it?
DrP
Non UK seller selling unbranded LiOn batteries. I wouldn't touch them.
If from a reputable supplier you should be fine but otherwise it's a bit of a gamble. May be fine, may be rubbish or I may hear the bang all the way out here in Patching the first time you charge them 🙂
You've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well do ya, punk? 😀
Axminster Tools were doing 'own brand' batteries - not sure if they still do but they were cheaper than the OEM ones.
Non UK seller selling unbranded LiOn batteries. I wouldn't touch them.
I hadn't seen that...yeah, avoid i think!
DrP
None of the non-OEM batteries I've bought for drills (or mobile phones or laptops) have ever had anything like the performance claimed and those that came closest still had a much shorter life than the OEM battery they replaced. A false economy every time IME.
They will use lower capacity, cheaper cells which have a lower MTBF and thus die sooner...
Meh..bosch ordered. It's a genuine combi drill with 4ah battery, when to replace both batteries on teh hitatchi i'd be looking at about £100 anyway...
Will keep the hitatchi as a driver...
DrP
DIY replacement of the cells. If the case is easy to open.
It'll probably use some fairly standard cells which you can buy (for not a huge amount) in the UK.
DIY replacement of the cells. If the case is easy to open.It'll probably use some fairly standard cells which you can buy (for not a huge amount) in the UK
I considered that for my Makita, 5min on yourtube and I decided it wasn't worth it, it'a almost like they don't want you to try (lots of circuit boards to remove, shrinkwrap to peel off etc, and all while the battery is 'live' so if you short it out it's going to make a mess. Can't see why though, must be a PITA to assemble in the factory when they could probably have made them refurbishable for less effort.
an't see why though, must be a PITA to assemble in the factory when they could probably have made them refurbishable for less effort.
It'll be those bloody Europeans foisting laws on us to stop us from exercising our British right to learn how to deal with serious electrical fires again.