Cordless tools different voltages?

[atlarge54]

Just picked up a Makita cordless tool set for next to nothing and would like to get an extra battery or two. The set has a couple 14.4 NiMH batteries. It appears that the charger will work on different voltage batteries up to 14.4v.

If i were to purchase a Makita 18v battery and charger will it be ok in the 14.4v tools?
 

[RayP(MI)]

Probably, but on the other hand might not. Best to keep the appropriate charger with the particular battery.

NiMH batteries, in my experience do not take kindly to charger abuse. We destroyed some handi-talkie batteries trying to use a convential (NiCd) battery fast charger. Best check with manufacturer (if you can get a straight answer) as to what you can do on chargers.
 

[Handyman]

some chargers will charge different voltage batteries but they should be the same type of battery, the mfgs usually have a different configuration of charge port for the different batteries but you would be wise to make sure before you plug one into the charger.
 

[Bryan inIowa]

Usually the batteries will not phyically fit . If you do make them fit ,tool life will be short lived .
 

[David G]

Most chargers work with multiple battery voltages, but I do
not know of tools that are that way.
 

[Dean]

No.

Dean
 

[550Doug]

My Makita charger model #DC1803 charges NiMH and NiCad for voltages 7.2, 9.6, 12,14.4,18v.
 

[ldj]

cordless tools and printers are alike. You spend a lot more on batteries and ink before either the tool or printer is wore out. I think I have bought my last cordless tool, just get corded. The cordless are nice, but aggravating. I don't know how to get around buying printer ink but I'm sure gona quit buying batteries.
 

[TomR Ont]

ldj - Cheep ink here I've used it, Not as water safe as Epson ink, but at about $5 a cartridge especially the black who cares.

http://www.123inkcartridges.ca/inkjet_cartridges.html
 

[TomH in PA]

Unless you really need color printing get a laser printer. The toner cartridges cost a bit more than ink, but they print several times as many pages and don't "expire" like ink.
 

[mkirsch]

Normally when tool manufacturers change voltages, they change the shape of the battery mount. Part of this is planned obsolescence, part is to protect the tool.

The 18V makita battery won't fit into the 14.4V tool.

Buying used rechargeable tools is a waste of money. It's usually cheaper to buy the new tool and get the new battery with it.

The only exception right now is the Ryobi "One+" tools. They've used the same battery mount for a long time. Any One+ battery fits any One+ tool. They have lithium batteries now too. Batteries don't go bad from sitting around, and last twice as long.
 

[scotc]

Don't forget the crapsman 19.2V. The lithium and ni-cd batteries all interchange as well, but not all the chargers will.