Ryobi 40 Volt System

[Tractor Seabee]

Need some feedback from the TBN community with your experiences with the Ryobi 40 Volt Outdoor Tool System. I have the chain saw and 3 other power heads with various attachments. Do not use any a whole lot, typical homeowner stuff. I have a total of 7 batteries and 3 battery chargers, none more than 4 years old. None of the batteries will now take a charge or hold a charge, None have lasted through more than 12 charges. Over a year ago I complained to Ryobi Customer Service and they sent me 3 new batteries and two of the latest chargers free, those batteries promptly went the same way as their predecessors. Now sitting with over $700 worth of batteries and $800 worth of tools that are scrap plastic and whatever.
I have followed the operating manuals on both chargers and batteries closely.

I have had extremely good results with their 18 volt tools with 12 batteries, 6 port charger, and 20 different tools over 30+ years. Have not scrapped more than 6 batteries both the old ones and newer lithium ones.

Response this time with Ryobi was to get the run around and left on hold for over an hour waiting on their battery expert, and gave up.

What have been other experiences? Should I take my loss and buy something else. Major item is the chain saw, I have 18 volt power heads for the other stuff that work OK.

Ron

 

[Richard001]

I don't know Ron, but have you checked on the internet to see what other users are saying about these units?

Update: found this on the internet:
How To Fix Common Ryobi 4v Battery Problems - Essential Home and Garden

Great info if you ignore all the ads.

 

[rademamj1]

I use the 40 volt Ryobi Hedge trimmer, chainsaw and brush cutter all the time. I don't like the chainsaw design or the power level when cutting with the saw, however the hedge trimmer is a beast of a tool and so is the brush cutter. I have six 40V batteries, and then I damaged one battery, because i left it uncharged for over 90 days during the colder winter.

The 40V lithum battery is like all batteries, they need to be used frequently. Medium to long term storage, reduces the battery voltage to a point so low, it possibly won't charge in the Ryobi charging system. Need to recharge the 40V batteries to full power every 30 days, even if your not using them. You must be diligent in keeping these batteries fully charged, so they will never deplete to a point where the Ryobi charger ignores the battery and won't charge a battery. So use them frequently as possible and always recharge to full power.

Just a comment, 40V and 56V batteries have more power, but are more susceptible to low voltage damage by long term storage. The 18V batteries are alot more forgiving on power drains. Also, I hear some companies are coming out with 80V battery tools, and this will greatly increase the need to keep these batteries fully charged. The higher the voltage on the battery, the more susceptible to low voltage damage.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I use the 40 volt Ryobi Hedge trimmer, chainsaw and brush cutter all the time. I don't like the chainsaw design or the power level when cutting with the saw, however the hedge trimmer is a beast of a tool and so is the brush cutter. I have six 40V batteries, and then I damaged one battery, because i left it uncharged for over 90 days during the colder winter.

The 40V lithum battery is like all batteries, they need to be used frequently. Medium to long term storage, reduces the battery voltage to a point so low, it possibly won't charge in the Ryobi charging system. Need to recharge the 40V batteries to full power every 30 days, even if your not using them. You must be diligent in keeping these batteries fully charged, so they will never deplete to a point where the Ryobi charger ignores the battery and won't charge a battery. So use them frequently as possible and always recharge to full power.

Just a comment, 40V and 56V batteries have more power, but are more susceptible to low voltage damage by long term storage. The 18V batteries are alot more forgiving on power drains. Also, I hear some companies are coming out with 80V battery tools, and this will greatly increase the need to keep these batteries fully charged. The higher the voltage on the battery, the more susceptible to low voltage damage.

Kinda defeats the marketing to the home owner. Who uses the tools regular enough to keep charged or wants to bother with charging monthly whether they need it or not. Makes you want to keep you gas chainsaw. It gets minimal maintenance and always starts. My investment would have bought a lot of landscaper service hours. I did check the reviews like Richard stated, there are some with the same problem I have but majority are happy. I always look askance at reviews controlled by the seller.

Ron

 

[i7win7]

12v milwaukee tools, 20v dewalt tools, 1 36v stihl chainsaw. I charge all batteries, put them in plastic ammo boxes, and store in house over the winter. Only have 1 dewalt go bad around 6-7 years old.

 

[rademamj1]

For chainsaws, I have three Stihl, two Makita battery powered saws and one Ryobi 40V. The Makita's are fantastic, and they are light and as powerful as gas saws. I use them for trimming trees only.

My wife using the Ryobi Hedge trimmer, my daughter using the Ryobi brush cutter and me using an MS261 Stihl gas saw, cleared a 950 foot long and 12 feet wide path through Texas mesquite and heavy brush country in just 4 days, clearing for a new gravel road. The Professionals wanted $6,800 for the job. The Ryobi tools did everything we asked of them.

 

[rademamj1]

Kinda defeats the marketing to the home owner. Who uses the tools regular enough to keep charged or wants to bother with charging monthly whether they need it or not. Makes you want to keep you gas chainsaw. It gets minimal maintenance and always starts. My investment would have bought a lot of landscaper service hours. I did check the reviews like Richard stated, there are some with the same problem I have but majority are happy. I always look askance at reviews controlled by the seller.

Ron

I know just what you mean, but if you charge the batteries to full prior to winter storage, then it just takes 5 minutes per battery to top off each month. Gas tools also have their issues with long term storage, mainly related to ethanol.

 

[ernemats]

I have Ryobi 40 volt chainsaw, weed eater, hedge trimmer and pole saw and 13 inch mower plus several 18 volt tools . Have had them for several years with no problems, if I use them I charge them after use.

 

[cdaigle430]

I have a Ryobi 40 volt head with trimmer, leaf blower, pole saw, hedge trimmer, sweeper and edger. Had it for 6 years-and have two batteries. Never had a problem yet. always keep them in my garage and never put them in the charger when they are hot-heat kills them, letting them sit drained kills them. The cold does not. I dont care if the batteries die I dont care if the motor dies because all my attachments will fit on various other brands including the gas ones as well as the new Ryobi head.

I do have a Troy Built easy start gas trimmer sitting in the shed...if I need it because all my attachments fit on that one too.

Unlike the gas job, no loud noise, fumes, mixing gas, no heat, and half the weight. I need it I just go or grab a battery from the charger...one charges while I use the other one.....and..................most important is my fuel is free from the sun. I charge them from my 7kw solar panels LOL.

One battery comes with trimmer the second one was on sale for 70 bucks...free fuel. I am tickled pink. I watch many people buy those expensive ethanol free cans and count my blessings.


Oh and I charge mine at least once a week starting first week of may till November....thats roughly 20-30 times a year for each battery. one I have had for 6 years and the other for 2 years. So the oldest one has been charged and discharged at least 120 times.

 

[cdaigle430]

I use the 40 volt Ryobi Hedge trimmer, chainsaw and brush cutter all the time. I don't like the chainsaw design or the power level when cutting with the saw, however the hedge trimmer is a beast of a tool and so is the brush cutter. I have six 40V batteries, and then I damaged one battery, because i left it uncharged for over 90 days during the colder winter.

The 40V lithum battery is like all batteries, they need to be used frequently. Medium to long term storage, reduces the battery voltage to a point so low, it possibly won't charge in the Ryobi charging system. Need to recharge the 40V batteries to full power every 30 days, even if your not using them. You must be diligent in keeping these batteries fully charged, so they will never deplete to a point where the Ryobi charger ignores the battery and won't charge a battery. So use them frequently as possible and always recharge to full power.

Just a comment, 40V and 56V batteries have more power, but are more susceptible to low voltage damage by long term storage. The 18V batteries are alot more forgiving on power drains. Also, I hear some companies are coming out with 80V battery tools, and this will greatly increase the need to keep these batteries fully charged. The higher the voltage on the battery, the more susceptible to low voltage damage.

I have decided to go with the amps not the volts...the higher the better on the amps. like my Milwaukees-I have both ht 12 volt and 18 volt system. My m18 and m12 will out perform 20 volts and up anyday. I just recently bought the Milwaukee Fuel chainsaw...man what a difference.