NiCD vs LiON vs NiMH

[jbalders]

I get the idea behind the different types of batteries, more or less. I also understand that the charging characteristics of each one are completely different, and therefore require different chargers.

The one thing with this whole Li-ion/NiMH movement that I don't understand is why they don't sell an 18v replacement battery + charger that works in place of an 18v NiCD battery + charger. Isn't an 18v battery and 18v battery to the tool using it as long as it can provide the same amount of current? Most of my other battery-eating electronics don't seem to care whether it's a Alkaline, NiCD, Li-ion, or NiMH, although some obviously last longer than others (both life and charge).

I don't want to have to replace my entire batch of tools, although I can understand why the tool manufacturers would want me to. Replacing just my batteries as they die is much more environmentally friendly.

[LCHIEN]

I get the idea behind the different types of batteries, more or less. I also understand that the charging characteristics of each one are completely different, and therefore require different chargers.

The one thing with this whole Li-ion/NiMH movement that I don't understand is why they don't sell an 18v replacement battery + charger that works in place of an 18v NiCD battery + charger. Isn't an 18v battery and 18v battery to the tool using it as long as it can provide the same amount of current? Most of my other battery-eating electronics don't seem to care whether it's a Alkaline, NiCD, Li-ion, or NiMH, although some obviously last longer than others (both life and charge).

I don't want to have to replace my entire batch of tools, although I can understand why the tool manufacturers would want me to. Replacing just my batteries as they die is much more environmentally friendly.

There's really two reasons:
One, since the socket for the batt pack ont he tool is the same, the battery packs will be interchangeable. Since the battery packs for chemistry 1, chemistry 2 etc area alike, there's precious little to keep you from pulgging into the wrong charger with possible serious liability hazards - fire, etc.

Second, there's not really good money in designing and providing accessories for old tools. Its really better business for them to design new battery packs and make you buy new tools with the advantageous new batteries and the accompanying improvements.

Not cynical, just practical.

P.s. these are not absolutes. It is possible to design chargers that can sense the battery type and charge accordingly but that adds expense and complexity. Also battery packs can have physical keys and stuff where the tools mates with all keys and the charger mates only with the properly keyed battery pack. But these require forethought and still, frankly I don't think the tool comapnies are motivated to do it.

[jdschulteis]

Interestingly, Milwaukee's forthcoming V18 Li-ion will retrofit to their existing 18 volt NiCd tools.
http://www.milwaukeetool.com/us/en/n...4?OpenDocument
The press release doesn't say what they did about the plug-it-into-the-wrong-charger problem. I know the batteries have some circuitry in them, perhaps it deals with the issue.

[jbalders]

Thanks. You both confirmed my suspicions.