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Are Cordless Tool Batteries And Chargers Interchangeable?

Most rookie users who have unsuccessfully tried fitting in the battery of one cordless drill into a different drill will tell you that cordless drill batteries are not interchangeable.

But if you ask some of the expert users who have worked with a wide assortment of power tools, you will get a different answer.

Ironically, they are both right in their stance. This is because some cordless drill batteries for Makita BL1860 are interchangeable, while others are not.

Let's put this into simpler words.

Cordless drill batteries from two different brands are not interchangeable. But batteries of a particular brand can be used interchangeably on different drills of the same brand.

For example, the rechargeable battery from a Dewalt drill machine cannot be used with a cordless drill manufactured by Black & Decker, and vice versa.

However, if you have two different cordless drills (for example, a 20-volt and an 18-volt model, respectively) manufactured by, say Dewalt, you might be able to swap their batteries and the machines will still continue operating without any problem.

Keep in mind, though, that in some cases, this might not work as well. Plus, you need to consider certain factors when interchanging the batteries of different cordless drills produced by the same company.

Why Drill Batteries of Different Brands Are Not Interchangeable

In case you can't wrap your head around why Makita BL1850 batteries of different brands cannot be used interchangeably, but are compatible with most models of the same brand, your confusion will be cleared in just a second.

The reason behind that is quite simple. The non-compatibility of a battery pack with the drill of an alternative brand is what enables manufacturers to stay profitable in the long run!

Companies intentionally design their batteries in a way that they cannot work with drills produced by a competitor brand.

This ensures that customers will keep coming back as their drill batteries reach the end of their lifespan and they have to buy new ones, or they need an extra set to power their drills for extensive projects.

Moreover, the lack of battery compatibility across different brands also helps companies ward off warranty claims.

If you have read the user's manual for your cordless drill, you are likely to notice something along the lines that the use of third party products will void the warranty on the said tool.

Are Cordless Drill Chargers Interchangeable?

The answer to this question is pretty much the same as that about Milwaukee 48-11-1860 cordless drill batteries - i.e., some drill chargers are interchangeable whereas others are not.

Generally, it's best that you avoid interchanging the chargers for cordless drills. However, sometimes it might be the need of the hour.

For instance, if a friend borrowed the charger and forgot to give it back, or you misplaced the charger yourself, you will have no other option but to use a charger originally meant for a different drill.

When charging your power drill's battery using another charger, make sure that their power ratings match together. Failing to do so can not only damage the equipment beyond repair but can also be really hazardous.

It is safe to use a low - voltage charger for a battery marked at a higher voltage rating (e.g. using an 18-volt charger with a 20-volt battery).

But keep in mind that it will take considerably longer to reach the full charge level.

No matter how urgently you need to power up your cordless drill, you must avoid charging its battery if it is rated at a value lower than the output power specifications of the charger.

Using a high power adapter to charge a low volt Milwaukee 48-11-2402 battery can make it nonfunctional, and in worst cases, cause fire and electric shock.

When Should You Change the Drill Battery?

Most rechargeable Ryobi RB18L50 batteries for cordless drills have an average lifespan of three years although well-managed batteries can easily last for up to five years or even more.

This is possible if you follow basic battery maintenance tips. This includes draining it properly, letting it get fully charged before the next use, avoiding storing it in hot places like under direct sunlight, etc.

Similarly, poor maintenance will depreciate the total life of your cordless drill battery in addition to reducing the total usage time that you get with each full charge.

The type of battery and frequently you charge it also has a significant impact on how long it will last.

Changing Cordless Drill Batteries

When interchanging the batteries of two different types of cordless drills produced by the same company, you need to be mindful of the power and current ratings of both battery packs.

Make sure that the battery specifications meet the power requirement of the cordless drill. You must avoid using a high voltage battery with a cordless drill of a lower rating although it's safe to swap the Milwaukee 48-11-2420 battery under the opposite scenario.

That is, you can use the battery of an 18-volt cordless drill with a 20-volt model for example, given that both drills are manufactured by the same company.


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