Aftermarket tool batteries VS factory batteries.

[Midniteoyl]

Hi guys,
I've got a craftsman 19 volt drill (with NiCd) and I'd like to change to the Lion batteries; but cannot seem to find anything but the regular style. I looked at all links provided and just didn't see the Lion batteries or any type of adapter listed for the craftsman. Is my only choice to replace the entire tool? Guess I can, just hate to give up on an otherwise usable tool.
If there is an adapter and Lion battery available that fits the craftsman 19.2 volt - please point me in the appropriate direction. Thanks, Greg

You need to buy the battery and charger pack, but these are them: Craftsman C3 19.2-Volt XCP High Capacity Lithium-Ion Battery Pack

Craftsman C3 19.2-Volt Compact Lithium-Ion Battery Pack

They replace these C3 Ni-Cds: Craftsman 19.2 volt Replacement Battery Pack

 

[KubotainNH]

They have a compact version and higher amp version.
Sears.com
Sears.com -with charger.

I got this impact gun/grinder set and it came with one of each battery. Great set for the money. May be better off buying something like this that comes with the new batteries and charger.
Sears.com

 

[ultrarunner]

I guess the last NiCd hold out is me... at least they are not as likely as Lithium Ion to self destruct.

Wanted to bring new LI batteries for the computers in Austria and no go taking them on the plane with me... in a computer with carry on OK... new battery in original packaging no.

 

[prichard]

I guess the last NiCd hold out is me... at least they are not as likely as Lithium Ion to self destruct.

Wanted to bring new LI batteries for the computers in Austria and no go taking them on the plane with me... in a computer with carry on OK... new battery in original packaging no.

Perhaps you could just buy them from amazon or ebay in the EU?


Edited to add:
Fwiw, I've never heard of tool batteries catching on fire like laptop or cell phone batteries. IIRC part of the issue is how the batteries are packaged. They are very tightly packaged fir electronics and the are pushing the capacities of the batteries. They may not be pushing so many boundaries with tools. Also I believe the lithium content in each cell plays a part in the danger.

 

[4570Man]

I've never heard of tool battery catching on fire. Let alone seen or had it happen. Lithium ion batteries are far superior to NiCd batteries in my experience.

 

[ultrarunner]

These are tool stories I read... not quite sounding the alarm.

Lithium-Ion Batteries: Fuel for the Fire | Remodeling | Power Tools, Safety, Fire Safety, Stationary Tools, DeWalt

Cordless Tool Lithium Ion Battery High Failure Rates

 

[dickfoster]

These are tool stories I read... not quite sounding the alarm.

Lithium-Ion Batteries: Fuel for the Fire | Remodeling | Power Tools, Safety, Fire Safety, Stationary Tools, DeWalt

Cordless Tool Lithium Ion Battery High Failure Rates

So far I've had excellent results with lithium battery power tools. Much better than any of the NiCds I've had so for me the choice is lithium. I think a lot of the battery fires have mostly been in consumer electronics devices where they push the packaging envelope to extremes. When I was working with the cell phone industry the push for smaller sizes and thinness practically dominated design. Lithium batteries employ organics which are often highly flammable or even explosive compounds. Add that to small compact size and thinness then you're almost looking for a fire to happen. I don't think the design envelope for power tools is quite so demanding as it is for things like cell phones and tablet computers. Lightness and charge density is but overall size is not quite that extreme. That along with the absence of memory effect make the choice clear for me. Gladly I have some lithium replacements along with a free charger of the way to me that will give me back the use of some of my older NiCd tools. I'll try to report back here oh how they worked out for me. I should see them today or tomorrow.

 

[ultrarunner]

Only bought one Lithium powered tool... it was a Milwaukee Drill/Driver set that my 9 year old Niece/God Daughter wanted... nice red case with two batteries and charger.

I gave it to her for Christmas... she was the talk of all her friends... did run it by her Mom first.

So she kept it under her bed and then her Dad was working on the deck 9 months later and asked to use it... one of the two batteries would not charge... I sent it back to Milwaukee for replacement and it was denied... said the battery had been abused... not sure how as it was kept indoors... looked brand new... maybe because she never charged it?

They kept the battery too... unless I wanted to pay to ship it back... I have a truck full of Milwaukee Tools some going back to the 1980's... that Drill Driver was the last I bought... she is 15 so that have been 6 years ago...

 

[KubotainNH]

So she kept it under her bed and then her Dad was working on the deck 9 months later and asked to use it... one of the two batteries would not charge... I sent it back to Milwaukee for replacement and it was denied... said the battery had been abused... not sure how as it was kept indoors... looked brand new... maybe because she never charged it?

They kept the battery too... unless I wanted to pay to ship it back... I have a truck full of Milwaukee Tools some going back to the 1980's... that Drill Driver was the last I bought... she is 15 so that have been 6 years ago...

Ouch, that would have turned me away too. I've had a couple Milwaukee drills, the first one had the charger die after maybe 6 months. They replaced it with no issues.

 

[dickfoster]

Only bought one Lithium powered tool... it was a Milwaukee Drill/Driver set that my 9 year old Niece/God Daughter wanted... nice red case with two batteries and charger.

I gave it to her for Christmas... she was the talk of all her friends... did run it by her Mom first.

So she kept it under her bed and then her Dad was working on the deck 9 months later and asked to use it... one of the two batteries would not charge... I sent it back to Milwaukee for replacement and it was denied... said the battery had been abused... not sure how as it was kept indoors... looked brand new... maybe because she never charged it?

They kept the battery too... unless I wanted to pay to ship it back... I have a truck full of Milwaukee Tools some going back to the 1980's... that Drill Driver was the last I bought... she is 15 so that have been 6 years ago...

That's really odd, I've always thought of Milwaukee as a good if not great tool brand who backed up their products well. I've been going with DeWalt for most of the battery stuff. I had one Ryobi 12V NiCd drill that I converted to plug into a vehicle when the batteries gave up on it. The only Milwaukee tool I have is a corded sawzall. So far it has worked great. If I'm not mistaken, Milwaukee invented the sawzall.